Thin bezels and lightweight structures are good and all, but you know what’s better? A processor that is capable of delivering your needs! That’s why we’ve been looking into Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processors.
The Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus are not your regular processing chips; they are brutal to their very core. These chips are built to push your Windows laptop to its max potential, and we’re loving every inch of them. It’s a literal laptop power shift with these two babies… but one is definitely better than the other.
So which one is it? The one that pushes the clock speeds higher or the one that keeps your thermals under control? Guess you’ll have to read to find out.
Snapdragon X Series – Architecture Overview
The Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus are by far Qualcomm’s most ambitious releases. Qualcomm had designed its previous processors keeping smartphones in mind, then later adapting to laptops. And that’s where it went wrong; this time, the X Elite and X Plus were designed keeping laptops in view. Also note that both Elite and are focused (aggressively, might we add) on Windows on ARM laptops.
These bad boys feature Qualcomm’s custom Oryon architecture that basically gives them their all-rounder potential. It is because of this architecture that the X Elite and X Plus perform AI tasks on-device, without any reliance whatsoever on the cloud. Plus, the architecture allows these chips to run in a way that feels smooth, fast, and super responsive. Think of the Oryon architecture as the heart of these processors that keeps the power pumping under pressure.
Snapdragon X Series – Architecture Overview
The Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus are by far Qualcomm’s most ambitious releases. Qualcomm had designed its previous processors keeping smartphones in mind, then later adapting to laptops. And that’s where it went wrong; this time, the X Elite and X Plus were designed keeping laptops in view. Also note that both Elite and are focused (aggressively, might we add) on Windows on ARM laptops.
These bad boys feature Qualcomm’s custom Oryon architecture that basically gives them their all-rounder potential. It is because of this architecture that the X Elite and X Plus perform AI tasks on-device, without any reliance whatsoever on the cloud. Plus, the architecture allows these chips to run in a way that feels smooth, fast, and super responsive. Think of the Oryon architecture as the heart of these processors that keeps the power pumping under pressure.
Snapdragon X Elite vs X Plus – Technical Overview & Specs
If you look at the specs table below, you’ll notice that the only difference between X Elite and X Plus is that of cores, clock speed, and GPU TFLOPS. That said, these are the very game-changers, drawing the line between performance and user experience.
| Feature | Snapdragon X Elite | Snapdragon X Plus |
| CPU Cores | 12 | 10 |
| Max Clock Speed | 3.8-4.3 GHz | Up to 3.4 GHz |
| Memory Support | 64 GB LPDDR5X-8448 | 64 GB LPDDR5X-8448 |
| Cache | 42 MB | 42 MB |
| GPU (Adreno) | Higher TFLOPs | Lower TFLOPS |
| NPU | 45 TOPS | 45 TOPS |
Difference Between Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus
Despite them having the same architectural layout and almost similar specs, the X Elite and X Plus are like two sides of the same coin. Here’s how.
CPU Performance
Despite the CPU architecture being the same, the X Elite and X Plus differ in performance (credit goes to cores and clock speed). Now, a common myth is that more cores equal more clock speed (not true). Sometimes a thermal limit will restrict your high cores from delivering a higher clock speed. But that ain’t the case with X Elite.
Its cores and clock ceiling go hand in hand, allowing your laptop to handle multiple apps at once. Even heavy tasks like video editing or coding can be done simultaneously with zero stutters or slowdowns. The Plus, however, isn’t as efficient. Though it performs magnificently in everyday tasks like Microsoft Office and browsing, it lacks the oomph factor and raw power of the X Elite.
GPU Performance
Both the X Elite and X Plus feature the same Adreno GPU by Qualcomm, but the Elite’s is slightly more powerful. Since the GPU is responsible for how your laptop handles visual and graphical workloads, one with higher TFLOPS is impeccable. This is why the X Elite lets your laptop render high-resolution videos and complex animations while you’re performing heavy-duty tasks like video editing.
Not to forget, the high graphic output also makes your laptop better equipped for gaming and such high-performance visual tasks. On the other hand, we’ve got the X Plus, which in no way is at a disadvantage. It’s just that the Plus may struggle with AI-intensive graphics. You can still manage light gaming, casual photo editing, and everyday productivity visuals with the Plus.
AI Performance
Qualcomm’s Hexagon AI Engine is another common feature of the Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus. It basically powers on-device AI, which is a major feature of Windows on ARM laptops. So what makes X Elite and X Plus really different if they’ve both got the same NPU? The speed!
Sure, the TOPS limit is the same, but the X Elite’s CPU capabilities and thermal headroom boost NPU speed by a considerable margin. This is why the X Elite can handle tasks like recognising images and transcribing speech into text faster. But this doesn’t mean that the X Plus is bad in terms of AI performance. It’s a bit slower than the Elite, but it’s not incompetent.
Battery Efficiency
The difference in battery usage of the two Snapdragon processors is because of how each chip is designed to use power. The X Plus is built to balance performance with energy efficiency. It basically means that your laptop uses the CPU and GPU in moderation to keep the battery drainage as low as possible. Does this mean your CPU and GPU underperform? Absolutely not! Think of them taking turns when performing complex tasks.
On the other hand, the X Elite is built for the best performance with no regard for battery saving. This chip will give you the best possible experience in every way, but don’t expect it to be light-handed on the battery. Under heavy workloads, the X Elite often reduces battery life.
Thermal Management
As we’ve mentioned multiple times in this blog, the X Elite is one chip that’ll do its job with an aggressive passion. And because of that, it’ll use more resources, which will produce heat. Now, since X Elite generates more heat when performing tasks like video rendering or multitasking, it’ll need a cooling system that can take its thermal load.
As for the X Plus, its energy efficiency might tune down the performance for a while, but the thermals stay in check. This is why even after hours of use, laptops with X Plus don’t generate as much heat. This feature makes the X Plus ideal for thin and lightweight laptops (that have passive cooling systems).
Which Chip Suits You Best?
The Snapdragon X Elite is raw, wholesome power that’s unstoppable. It’s especially for those users who push their laptops to the limit. If you’re someone with a big baggage of professional workload like video editing, 3D modelling, or heavy AI workflow, the X Elite is probably the best pick. Its ultra-fast responsiveness and high-end computational power are unmatched, though it’s not the best in terms of battery and thermals.
However, if your workload doesn’t involve heavy graphics or intense use of AI, or hardcore multitasking in general, the X Plus is the chip for you. It delivers smooth everyday performance without generating too much heat or draining the battery quickly. Be it web browsing, streaming, or light photo editing, the X Plus is perfect for thin, lightweight, and reliable laptops.
Final Verdict – X Elite or X Plus?
Theoretically, if you look at all the pros and cons, it’s pretty evident that the Snapdragon X Elite takes the crown as the ultimate all-rounder. It’s got more cores, a higher clock speed, and a bigger TFLOP figure. This chip is pretty much what any professional with a knack for speed and smooth flow needs. But the X Elite is not for everyone.
If you can do well without the high-profile graphics and AI performance, we’d recommend you go for the X Plus, considering it’s got a better battery and thermal management. Also, the Snapdragon X Plus is a couple of hundred bucks cheaper than the X Elite, so it all boils down to what your needs are as a user
