Google had already hinted that it is in partnership with Qualcomm for future Android PCs when the Mountain View firm’s executive was present at the Snapdragon Summit to talk about the future of the smartphone operating system. Now, the latest findings confirm that tag-team, with the chipset manufacturer seemingly preparing its Snapdragon SoCs for those computers. While it is an exciting time for all of us, the latest leak reveals that an older SoC will be a part of the innards, meaning that Google is once more taking a step behind the competition.
The private code list reveals that the Snapdragon X Elite will be found in upcoming Android PCs, making it an entire generation behind the competition
Evidence of the Snapdragon X Elite being tested for Android PCs was posted on X by @Jukanlosreve, who shows an image of Android 16’s private code list. Based on this list, Qualcomm has already uploaded the code for its laptop-based SoCs, strongly implying that this is the hardware that we will be seeing in action once the first Android PCs start rolling out.
The Snapdragon X Elite and Snapdragon X Plus were a massive deal when they first launched. Before their inception, no ARM-based silicon existed that could run Windows properly, deliver the much-needed firepower, while also being thoroughly efficient. Of course, Qualcomm won’t be stuck on these chipsets forever, which is why it introduced the Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme and Snapdragon X2 Elite earlier this year.
To be fair, there is nothing wrong if Google decides to equip future Android PCs with a Snapdragon X Elite, but the price needs to be right, or else the company’s products will be dead on arrival. Seeing as how the M5 is already out, Google will have its work cut out. As for using only the Snapdragon X Elite, perhaps we are mistaken.
Maybe in the future, Qualcomm will upload code for its newer Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme and Snapdragon X2 Elite, making Android PCs more viable when discussing the competition. Then again, the M4 Max, a chipset launched in late 2024, has beaten the Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme in Cinebench 2024’s single-core and multi-core test, but that is just a single benchmark comparison, and there will be many more to come, so stay tuned.
News Source: @Jukanlosreve
About the author: Omar Sohail is a reporter and analyst for Wccftech's mobile section, specializing in the technology and business of the mobile industry. His expertise lies in the intricate hardware supply chain, covering developments in semiconductor manufacturing, chip lithography, and camera sensor technology.
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