Qualcomm Announces $700 Snapdragon X PCs for 2025

Qualcomm's Affordable Snapdragon X PCs Coming Soon

Qualcomm has exciting news for tech enthusiasts: Snapdragon X PCs will be available for as low as $700 starting next year. Currently, the most affordable option is the $999 Microsoft Surface Laptop, which features the Snapdragon X Plus chip. This price drop is a significant step towards making high-performance, energy-efficient PCs more accessible.

Current Pricing and Future Prospects

As of now, you need to spend at least $900 for a developer kit or $1,000 for an entry-level Qualcomm laptop. However, Qualcomm's CEO, Cristiano Amon, announced during the company's Q3 2024 earnings call that the X series product roadmap will expand to include PCs priced at $700 without compromising on Neural Processing Unit (NPU) performance.

Versatile Applications Beyond Laptops

Amon did not specify whether these affordable PCs would be laptops. Qualcomm's chips are versatile and can power small desktops, such as the eight-inch Dev Kit. This flexibility opens up various possibilities for consumers looking for budget-friendly, high-performance computing solutions.

Sales and Future Announcements

While Qualcomm has not yet disclosed sales or financial numbers for its first wave of Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus laptops, the company is already collaborating with OEMs on the next wave of Copilot Plus PCs. More announcements are expected at the IFA event in September, where Qualcomm aims to solidify its position as a leading silicon supplier for AI PCs.

Strategic Partnerships and Future Innovations

In addition to its chip business, Qualcomm generates significant revenue from licensing technology to other companies. The company recently signed long-term agreements with two major Chinese OEMs, similar to its existing arrangement with Apple, which runs through 2027. Amon also revealed that Qualcomm has developed its own custom CPU, set to be unveiled at the Snapdragon Summit in late October. This CPU will be part of the next flagship Snapdragon 8 phone chip, launching either at the end of this year or in early 2025.

Stay tuned for more updates as Qualcomm continues to innovate and expand its product lineup, making cutting-edge technology more accessible to everyone.