Qualcomm (QCOM.US) enters the mid-range PC market: releases Snapdragon X2 Plus processor to challenge Intel and AMD

The Zhitong Finance App learned that Qualcomm (QCOM.US), the world's largest mobile phone chip manufacturer, said it is further promoting its market layout as the core processor for personal computers.

The company said its new X2 Plus processor is a stripped down version of the existing product line and is intended to be the main component of a more affordable laptop. The chipmaker announced on Monday that it will offer two versions, one with 10 computing cores and the other with 6 computing cores. These cores feature an updated third-generation Oryon design.

According to Qualcomm, one of its biggest selling points is the integration of a powerful neural processing unit that can speed up the response speed of AI software without excessive battery consumption.

The company currently offers Snapdragon X2 Elite and Elite Extreme chips, which are commonly used in laptops priced at $1,000 or more. Qualcomm said its processor provides AI computing power for laptop users. Compared with computers based on competitor chips, it responds faster to instructions and can maintain a longer battery life before it needs to be plugged in.

Qualcomm, headquartered in San Diego, is unveiling new products at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The specifications and performance claims of the new products will be compared with products from existing manufacturers Intel (INTC.US) and Chaowei Semiconductor (AMD.US) in the market. The latter two will also hold events during the exhibition.

Qualcomm and Apple are pioneering the application of Arm Holdings (ARM.US) technology in the computer market. Such designs are based on architectural arrangements more common in mobile phones, which supporters believe means they are better suited for battery-powered devices.

This overall momentum is gaining momentum, but progress is slow. According to Mercury Research, at the end of the third quarter, such chips accounted for nearly 14% of the PC market, a slight increase over the total share in the previous period.

According to information, Qualcomm has been expanding into other business areas such as laptops and automobiles in recent years. The company has been a supplier to Apple for a long time, but since 2021, it has informed investors that it is expected that Apple will eventually switch to self-developed modem chips.

At the beginning of November last year, thanks to a recovery in demand in the smartphone terminal market, Qualcomm issued revenue and profit guidelines that exceeded expectations. The adjusted earnings per share for the first quarter of fiscal year 2025 are expected to be $3.30-$3.50. Revenue is estimated to be between US$11.8 billion and US$12.6 billion, of which Qualcomm Technology Business (QCT) revenue is US$10.3 billion to US$10.9 billion. Analysts had expected adjusted earnings per share of $3.26 and revenue of $11.59 billion.

Wall Street analysts said that Qualcomm's quarterly results and performance guidelines indicate that the company's diversification plans are progressing. But smartphone-related concerns remain a major issue.