Qualcomm’s high-end ARM-based processor, the Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme, planned for release in 2026, is attracting attention with its shared test results. The new processor is reportedly capable of reaching over 100 Watts (W) of power consumption, especially in “unthrottled” mode. This marks a new performance record for 2026-generation ARM laptops.

Snapdragon X2 Extreme in the spotlight for its performance

Qualcomm has not yet officially defined the Thermal Design Power (TDP) of the X2 Elite Extreme. This is primarily because laptop manufacturers determine power limits based on their own device designs. Factors such as chassis volume, cooling solutions, target clock speeds, and noise limits directly shape power levels.

However, another notable feature of the Extreme model is its ability to outperform existing options in multi-core workloads like Cinebench, even with a power consumption of approximately 40W. In the examples Qualcomm provides, the X2 Elite Extreme: The Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 outperforms powerful competitors like the Core Ultra 9 288V “Lunar Lake” and the standard Snapdragon X2 Elite.

In unthrottled mode, power consumption reaches significant levels. The processor draws 107.94W in the Memory Test, 84.78W in the Handbrake test, and 70.31W in the Cinebench 2024 multi-core test. Power consumption is observed at 30.19W in the Integer Spinloop test and 8.41W in the Geekbench 6 multi-core test.

This data suggests that Qualcomm is directly targeting Apple’s upcoming M5 Max models with its new X2 Extreme series, which will be launched in 2026. This wider power consumption range will offer laptop manufacturers a more flexible performance range. However, these higher power levels will in turn increase the need for more complex and costly cooling systems in devices.