Qualcomm is exploring the possibility of introducing a new component for Windows laptops that costs less than the Snapdragon X Elite called Snapdragon X Plus.
New leaks show that Qualcomm is developing not one but two versions of the Snapdragon X Plus SoC chip, and both could offer significant advantages over Apple's current MacBook line.
Windows laptops with Snapdragon X Series chips will be upgraded.
These chips are said to have model numbers X1P44100 and X1P46100. Notably, the Snapdragon “X Plus” chips are identified with the “X1P” prefix to differentiate them from the Snapdragon X Elite chips which use “X1E” in the model number.
While specific details are still scarce, the naming convention implies that the Snapdragon X Plus will be a scaled-down version of the more powerful version. Fewer cores seem to be one of the differentiating factors between versions, similar to how Apple differentiates its M chip line.
While the Snapdragon X Plus may not be comparable to the base performance of the X Elite, it could be a perfect choice for Windows laptops using more affordable ARM chips. More importantly, Qualcomm seems to be testing a key feature that could make laptops equipped with Snapdragon X Plus extremely attractive, which is the integration of Snapdragon X65 5G modem.
5G integration will be a significant advantage of Windows laptops when compared to current MacBooks.
If Qualcomm can do this with Snapdragon
At the present time, the official launch date is still unclear, but considering that Snapdragon X Elite laptops are expected to launch at the end of 2024, we can expect the appearance of Snapdragon X Plus later this year. or 2025.
