Qualcomm says Snapdragon X series PCs will be Rs 30,000 cheaper in 2025

Qualcomm is likely to announce new Snapdragon X series chips at the Internationale Funkausstellung Berlin (IFA).

Bengaluru | August 1, 2024 09:53 AM IST

XPS 13 is one of the first laptops with the Snapdragon X Elite chip (Image credit: Anuj Bhatia/The Indian Express)

Qualcomm chip-powered PCs, also known as Copilot+ PCs, are currently among the top Windows laptops, offering innovative generative AI experiences, impressive performance, and excellent battery life. However, these high-performance machines come at a premium, with prices starting at $1,000 or Rs 90,000, approximately. Qualcomm has announced that the cost of Snapdragon X-powered PCs will drop to $700 or Rs 60,000 early next year, a dip of Rs 30,000.

During Qualcomm’s recent Q3 2024 earnings call, CEO Cristiano Amon stated, “As we look forward to 2025, in addition to new design wins, our X series product roadmap will expand to address PCs with retail prices as low as $700 without compromising NPU performance.”

In addition to its advances in the PC market, Qualcomm is also a leader in the smartphone chip industry, with a 12 per cent year-on-year increase in sales. Amon predicts that by 2027, 50 per cent of PCs will be AI-powered, with Qualcomm positioned as one of the top silicon providers for these devices. Most flagship Android smartphones, including the Galaxy Z Fold6, are equipped with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chips.

At the recent Snapdragon For India event in New Delhi, Qualcomm confirmed that it will announce new Snapdragon X series chips at the upcoming Internationale Funkausstellung Berlin (IFA) annual industrial exhibition. These new chips are expected to power forthcoming AI PCs, which are anticipated to be more affordable than the current offerings. At the same event, Qualcomm also introduced the Snapdragon 4s Gen 2, a chip designed for budget 5G smartphones priced under $99 or Rs 9,999 in India.

Qualcomm produces chips for a range of devices including smartphones, laptops, and smart VR headsets such as the Meta Quest 3. It is also the sole 5G modem provider for Apple iPhones and iPads. Additionally, Qualcomm generates revenue from intellectual property. The company has silicon design centers worldwide, including in India, and partners with foundries like TSMC and Samsung for chip manufacturing.

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