Qualcomm Snapdragon X2: A New Challenger on the CPU Horizon

At CES 2026, Qualcomm showcased various computers based on the Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme SoC and other platforms from the lineup. These devices were tested, revealing impressive performance metrics. The top-tier Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme scores 4072 and 23,611 points in Geekbench single-core and multi-core modes, respectively. Recall that it features an 18-core CPU. These are indeed very high results. For instance, it scores similar to Apple’s M4 Max: slightly lower in single-core mode and slightly higher in multi-core mode. Remember, Apple’s platform has a 16-core CPU.

Moreover, in multi-core, the X2 EE scores are comparable to the high-end desktop Ryzen 9 9950X and Core Ultra 9 285K. Of course, tests in real-world tasks are needed, but as a minimum, there is a foundation for excellent results. The 12-core and 18-core configurations of the Snapdragon X2 Elite were also tested. They score around 16,200 and 20,300 points. In the first case, this is more than the Apple M4, and in the second, similar to the M4 Pro.

The Snapdragon X2 Elite configurations tested at CES 2026 show impressive results in Geekbench, leading to speculation about how these metrics might influence the laptop and desktop processor markets in 2026. With its advanced technology, Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme stands out from its competitors, offering features that could reshape performance expectations.