The Dell XPS 13 is available in two versions: Intel-powered (9340) and Qualcomm-powered (9345). Despite identical designs, the Qualcomm version offers faster performance, better battery life, and improved AI capabilities. However, compatibility issues with Windows on Arm remain a concern for some users.
Qualcomm is taking steps to streamline Android software updates for OEMs, aiming to make it less complicated and expensive to push updates to older devices. While not a guaranteed fix for Android fragmentation, this effort could significantly improve the update experience for users, especially those with midrange and budget devices.
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite chips are powering the first Copilot+ laptops, but early reviews have been mixed. A new leak suggests that Qualcomm may have more chips in the works, including three new Plus models that could improve performance. While the specs remain unknown, these new chips could offer a more competitive alternative to AMD and Intel processors.
According to a report from Digital Chat Station, the Xiaomi 15 could be the first smartphone to launch with Qualcomm’s upcoming Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chip. The device is also rumored to sport a 1.5K LTP display, a triple-camera system with a 50-megapixel primary camera, and up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 is expected to offer improved performance over its predecessor, but it may also come at a higher cost due to inflation.
Intel faces intensifying competition from Qualcomm and AMD in the laptop market, prompting the company to release its upcoming Lunar Lake chips ahead of schedule. While Intel showcased the Asus Zenbook S 14 as a glimpse into the future of Lunar Lake laptops, the industry’s attention remains focused on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X chips, which offer advancements in neural processing units (NPUs) and compatibility with Microsoft’s Copilot+ platform. Despite the competitive landscape, Intel remains a significant player with its strong brand recognition and the support of major laptop manufacturers.
In a surprise move, Justin Long, the former ‘I’m a Mac’ guy, has appeared in a video ad for Qualcomm, where he is seen searching for a Snapdragon-powered PC to replace his MacBook. This unexpected appearance marks a shift in Long’s allegiances and reignites the rivalry between Mac and PC. The ad implies that Qualcomm’s Snapdragon-powered Windows on Arm PCs may challenge the dominance of Macs in terms of app compatibility, battery life, and overall performance. With the release of new Copilot+ PCs on June 18th, including the new Surface laptop, the competition between Mac and PC is expected to intensify.
Vivek Khanna, Senior Director at Qualcomm, discusses the rapid transformation of India’s automotive sector, emphasizing the growing importance of connected and smart car capabilities. He highlights the role of automakers in understanding customer needs and shaping the future of automotive technology. Khanna also explores the potential of generative AI, personalization, and data privacy in the context of connected cars in India.
Apple shares rose ahead of its second-quarter earnings report, while Peloton plunged after announcing CEO Barry McCarthy’s departure and layoffs. Qualcomm surged after posting strong earnings, as did Wayfair and Carvana following better-than-expected financial results. Cigna stock declined despite exceeding estimates but reaffirming annual guidance, while Moderna climbed after reporting a smaller loss and reiterating its outlook. DoorDash fell on a wider-than-expected quarterly loss, and Etsy plummeted after missing earnings targets. Zillow slid due to weak current-quarter guidance, and eBay pulled back on lower-than-estimated revenue projections. Shake Shack rose on positive earnings, while Qorvo declined after providing weaker guidance.
Qualcomm has unveiled its latest laptop chip, the Snapdragon X Plus, boasting impressive performance, extended battery life, and leading on-device AI capabilities. This 10-core processor offers a speed of up to 3.4 GHz, paired with 64GB RAM and a 45 TOPS NPU, making it the fastest NPU for laptops globally. The Snapdragon X Plus showcases advanced AI capabilities, as seen in code generation, music creation, and live captioning. Laptops featuring the Snapdragon X Plus are expected to be available mid-year from renowned OEMs, providing users with a seamless computing experience.
Qualcomm is pushing the boundaries of AI performance with its latest Snapdragon X chips, promising on-device AI capabilities that have yet to be fully realized by competitors. The Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus chips are designed to outperform Intel’s x86 chips in terms of AI performance, while consuming less power. The chips feature advanced NPUs, which enable faster processing of AI tasks, such as image and video analysis, natural language processing, and real-time object detection. Qualcomm’s Geekbench 6 benchmarks show promising results, with the Snapdragon X Plus performing 37% faster and 54% more efficiently than Intel’s Core Ultra 7 155H chip, which is commonly found in many laptops. Additionally, the chips support up to a 4K HDR webcam and WiFi 7 compatibility, making them suitable for a wide range of applications. While the AI performance of the Snapdragon X chips is impressive, it remains to be seen whether app developers and software companies will take advantage of these capabilities. Qualcomm hopes that the Snapdragon X Plus and Elite chips will power a new generation of AI-powered PCs, offering consumers a better and more efficient computing experience.
