TL;DR
- Benchmark Results: The Snapdragon X2 Elite outperformed Apple’s M5 in Blender, Handbrake, and Cinebench tests, winning three out of five benchmarks.
- Performance Gains: The X2 Elite delivered a 48-49% performance improvement over Qualcomm’s first-generation Snapdragon X Elite, which launched in 2024.
- Testing Limitations: The tested X2E-88 is a mid-tier chip below the flagship X2E-96-100, tested on pre-production hardware with early drivers.
- Windows 11 Update: Microsoft will release Windows 11 version 26H1 exclusively for Snapdragon X2 devices in Spring 2026 with ARM support.
Newly released benchmark tests reveal Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X2 Elite outperforming Apple’s M5. The chip completed a Blender rendering task in 3 minutes 31 seconds compared to the M5’s 5 minutes 33 seconds. The mid-tier X2E-88 was tested by Tech YouTube Channel Hardware Canucks with early drivers and beta firmware on a pre-production ASUS Zenbook.
These findings suggest Qualcomm’s second-generation ARM architecture is closing the performance gap with Apple’s silicon.
Benchmark Results Paint a Competitive Picture
The Blender 5.01 tests showed the Snapdragon X2 Elite finishing nearly two minutes faster than Apple’s M5.
The performance advantage extended to Handbrake encoding. The X2 Elite completed the test in 3 minutes 29 seconds versus the Apple M5’s 5 minutes 14 seconds. Cinebench 2024 multi-core scores revealed the X2 Elite scoring 1,432 compared to the M5’s 1,153. This represents a 24.2% lead.
These results reveal the X2 Elite beats Apple’s M5 in three out of five benchmark tests overall. This marks a 48-49% performance improvement over the first-generation Snapdragon X Elite. Qualcomm’s chip also outpaced Intel’s Ultra X9 388H and AMD’s Ryzen AI 9 HX 370.
The X2E-88 features an 18-core CPU. It also packs a new Adreno X2-90 iGPU and an 85 TOPS NPU for AI workloads. These specifications position it as a serious contender in the premium laptop market.
Important Testing Caveats
However, impressive benchmarks alone do not guarantee real-world success.
Several factors complicate these early results. The X2E-88 tested is a mid-tier chip, positioned one step below Qualcomm’s flagship X2E-96-100 (Elite Extreme). Final retail silicon and optimized drivers could shift performance figures meaningfully.
The preliminary testing used pre-production hardware with early drivers and beta firmware. These conditions rarely reflect real-world consumer experiences. Battery life data remains unavailable, creating an open question for laptop buyers who prioritize unplugged longevity over raw benchmark numbers.
The Windows Challenge Remains
Raw hardware performance tells only part of the story.
Windows on ARM has historically struggled with software optimization, app compatibility, and driver maturity compared to Apple’s tightly integrated macOS ecosystem. Therefore, early adopters continue to face limitations with gaming compatibility. Titles like League of Legends and Fortnite remain unsupported on the platform.
However, Windows 11 version 26H1 will launch exclusively for Snapdragon X2 devices. Microsoft designed this platform revision specifically for Snapdragon X2 architecture support. The company expects this release in Spring 2026.
Early Windows on ARM adopters report mixed but improving experiences. Rohit Kumar, a technology reviewer who purchased a Surface Laptop 7 with Snapdragon X Plus, described his experience.
“Over the past few months, I’ve had the incredible experience of using my laptop without ever worrying about the battery running out,” Kumar said. “I leaped and purchased the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7,” he wrote, calling it “a refreshing and transformative experience.”
Rohit Kumar, Technology Reviewer (via AllTechNerd)
Windows on ARM performance remains virtually the same whether plugged in or running on battery. This gives it an advantage over x86 laptops that throttle performance on battery power. For professionals who frequently work in transit, the ability to maintain full performance on battery eliminates a major productivity bottleneck.
When combined with instant wake capabilities and the reported 11-hour battery life from current-generation hardware, these characteristics position Snapdragon X2 laptops as genuine alternatives. Mobile professionals previously had no viable Windows alternative to MacBook’s efficiency.
What’s Next for Snapdragon X2
As these software and hardware pieces converge, the market prepares for a significant shift.
Device makers are betting on Qualcomm’s ARM push. Lenovo, HP, and Asus have confirmed Snapdragon X2 devices launching in Q1 2026. This gives consumers more hardware options than the limited first-generation lineup.
Moreover, analyst Olivier Blanchard from Futurum Group notes that Intel’s upcoming Core Ultra Series 3 Panther Lake could challenge Qualcomm’s enterprise adoption. The x86 ecosystem advantage remains Qualcomm’s primary obstacle in the corporate market.
With Q1 2026 device launches approaching, prospective buyers face a pivotal decision. The early benchmark leaderboards suggest Qualcomm has delivered the hardware breakthrough Windows on ARM needed.
Sustained real-world performance, battery life results, and software compatibility will ultimately determine whether Snapdragon X2 Elite laptops can challenge Apple’s MacBook dominance.
The stakes extend beyond individual purchasing decisions. Enterprise IT departments are watching closely. Their hardware refresh cycles could shift the balance of power in the laptop market away from Intel’s long-standing dominance.
For the millions of Windows users who have waited years for a truly competitive ARM laptop, Spring 2026 will definitively reveal whether Microsoft can finally match its software to Qualcomm’s impressive new silicon. The coming months ahead will determine if this hardware breakthrough translates into a viable alternative for professionals seeking both performance and efficiency in their daily computing experience.
