> At a Glance
> – Qualcomm unveiled lower-end Snapdragon X2 Plus processors at CES 2026
> – The chips will appear in laptops by March, ahead of the flagship Elite models
> – Built on 3-nm process with 80 TOPS NPU and improved battery life
> > Why it matters: These budget-friendly chips could help counter rising laptop prices driven by component shortages
Qualcomm took a low-key approach to its laptop processor launch at CES 2026, quietly introducing the Snapdragon X2 Plus series while focusing heavily on robotics announcements.
The New X2 Plus Lineup
The Snapdragon X2 Plus chips are fabricated using a 3-nm process node, down from 4nm in the previous generation. This matches Apple’s M3 and AMD’s Ryzen AI Max, while Intel’s Panther Lake uses 2-nm 18A process technology.
Two configurations are launching:
- 6-core X2P-42-100: Max frequency 4.04 GHz, 22MB cache, X2-45 GPU at 0.90 GHz
- 10-core X2P-64-100: Max frequency 4.04/3.43 GHz, 34MB cache, X2-45 GPU at 1.70 GHz
Both models feature a 128-bit memory bus and include the same 80 TOPS NPU as their Elite counterparts.
Shared Features and Market Position
The X2 Plus chips share several key features with the Elite series:
- 80 TOPS NPU with FP8 data type support (upgraded from 45 TOPS)
- Improved graphics capabilities
- “Multiday” battery life claims
- Across-the-board performance improvements
The launch timing appears strategic. While flagship X2 Elite processors announced in September 2025 won’t ship until June, these budget models arrive in March. This positions them as attractive options for manufacturers looking to reduce costs amid component shortages that are driving up consumer system prices.
Key Takeaways
- Snapdragon X2 Plus chips launch in laptops by March 2026
- Budget positioning could make them popular amid rising laptop prices
- Same 3-nm process and 80 TOPS NPU as premium Elite models
- Qualcomm’s NPU remains the fastest-rated PC chip at 80 TOPS
The quiet launch reflects both the typically low-key nature of budget announcements at CES and the challenging market conditions facing laptop manufacturers.
