Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Laptops Struggle to Gain Traction in AI PC Market

Qualcomm Snapdragon X-based AI PC laptops flop: only 720,000 laptops sold, 0.8% of market

Qualcomm had a gigantic marketing push with its Snapdragon X laptops a few months ago, but the company has sold only 720,000 units worldwide capturing just 0.8% market share of the AI PC market. According to recent reports, Qualcomm has sold just 720,000 units of its Snapdragon X laptops globally over Q3 2024, making up less than 1 in every 125 devices sold. Since launch, Qualcomm's new Snapdragon X series mobile processors have a tiny portion of the Windows laptop market, with less than 1.5% of the ecosystem. Canalys told TechRadar Pro: "As this was the first full quarter of shipments for Snapdragon X Series PCs, we saw sequential growth of around 180% compared to Q2 2024. However, as a proportion of the total Windows market, the products remain very niche, at less than 1.5% share. The top shipping vendor was Microsoft, which has transitioned most of their Surface line to the platform. Behind them was Dell who has embraced the new platform quite strongly in terms of SKU count, followed by HP, Lenovo, Acer and ASUS (all four with similar volumes)".

Only about 720,000 Qualcomm Snapdragon X laptops sold since launch -- under 0.008% of the total number of PCs shipped over the period, or less than 1 out of every 125 devices

Microsoft Surface leads Snapdragon X adoption in niche segment The PC market is continuing to be a challenge for Snapdragon X laptops, with recent reports showing limited market penetration in its first full quarter since launch, as total sales reached under 720,000 units. This figure represents less than 0.008% of the total PCs shipped globally over the same period, equivalent to fewer than one out of every 125 devices. Despite a notable sequential growth of 180% in Q3 2024 compared to Q2, the Snapdragon X Series remains a small segment of the broader Windows market, capturing less than 1.5% of the ecosystem. Microsoft and other popular brands have already transitioned some devices to the Snapdragon X platform, however, the market for these devices remains niche, even as Qualcomm pushes forward with integration into more consumer and business devices. Canalys told TechRadar Pro, "As this was the first full quarter of shipments for Snapdragon X Series PCs, we saw sequential growth of around 180% compared to Q2 2024. However, as a proportion of the total Windows market, the products remain very niche, at less than 1.5% share. The top shipping vendor was Microsoft, which has transitioned most of their Surface line to the platform. Behind them was Dell who has embraced the new platform quite strongly in terms of SKU count, followed by HP, Lenovo, Acer and Asus (all four with similar volumes)." While Snapdragon X laptops struggle to gain traction, the broader category of AI-capable PCs is rapidly expanding. In Q3 2024, shipments of these devices reached 13.3 million units, accounting for 20% of all PC shipments. This category includes desktops and notebooks equipped with chipsets dedicated to AI workloads, such as AMD's XDNA, Intel's AI Boost, and Qualcomm's Hexagon. Windows devices led the AI-capable PC market for the first time, capturing 53% of the segment. The surge in demand was supported by the Windows 11 refresh cycle and processor advancements. Sequential growth for AI-capable PCs stood at 49%, underscoring the market's increasing appetite for AI-driven computing capabilities. Nevertheless, AI-capable PCs face significant hurdles. Canalys' data suggests that consumers and channel partners remain cautious about adopting these premium offerings. For instance, Microsoft's Copilot+ PCs, requiring at least 40 NPU TOPS and other high-performance specifications, have yet to fully convince buyers of their value. A November 2024 poll of channel partners revealed that 31% do not plan to sell Copilot+ PCs in 2025, while 34% expect these devices to account for less than 10% of their sales. With Windows 10's end-of-support deadline approaching, PC vendors are under pressure to drive upgrades among users still relying on ageing devices. To stand out in the competitive AI-capable PC market, vendors are exploring unique strategies. HP has emphasized collaborations with independent software vendors (ISVs) to enhance on-device AI experiences. Lenovo has invested in proprietary AI tools embedded within its PCs, such as Creator Zone and Lenovo AI Now. Dell and Lenovo are leveraging on-device AI to complement their broader AI service ecosystems. Meanwhile, Apple has taken a distinct approach, focusing on its vertically integrated ecosystem.

Only around 720,000 Snapdragon X laptops sold in Q3, less than one percent of PC market

The big picture: Microsoft and Qualcomm touted the Snapdragon X laptops as a significant milestone for Windows on Arm, potentially akin to the introduction of Apple Silicon. However, recent market analysis suggests that PCs featuring Qualcomm's chips are struggling to catch on as x86-based alternatives dominate AI PC sales. TechRadar Pro reports that sales of laptops featuring Qualcomm's Arm-based Snapdragon X processors reached only around 720,000 units in the third quarter of 2024, their first full quarter on the market. The number represents less than 0.8 percent of Q3 PC shipments and less than one out of every 125 devices. As the first PCs to support Microsoft's Copilot GenAI features, laptops featuring Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Pro and Elite chips represent the tip of the company's AI PC spear. However, data from Canalys indicates that AI PCs are increasing their market presence primarily through the latest x86 processors from Intel and AMD. Manufacturers describe PCs featuring NPUs capable of at least 40 TOPs as AI PCs. Qualifying architectures include Snapdragon X, Intel's Core Ultra 200, AMD's Ryzen AI 300, and arguably Apple's M4. A Canalys report from earlier this month indicates that AI PCs represented 20 percent of all PCs shipped in Q3. The figure marks an increase of 49 percent compared to Q2, likely due to the increased availability of AI PCs. Also Read: Arm vs Qualcomm: mutually assured destruction However, consumer enthusiasm for AI PCs and GenAI functionality remains lukewarm. The Intel and AMD devices that likely represent around half of AI PC shipments do not yet support Microsoft's Copilot toolchain. Furthermore, prior impressions of Snapdragon X laptops indicate that improved battery life, often reaching a full day, is their primary selling point. Canalys predicts that Windows 10's impending end-of-life status will spark a significant sales uptick, as users merely trying to upgrade to Windows 11 end up with AI PCs. The analysts told TechRadar Pro that, although Snapdragon X PC sales grew 180 percent between Q2 and Q3, their penetration remains niche. Microsoft's new Surface devices lead the pack, followed by Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Acer. Affordability might be one obstacle, as most Snapdragon X laptops cost at least $900. Qualcomm hopes to lower the barrier of entry to around $700 in 2025. Despite Qualcomm's sluggish early commercial performance, it won't remain the only manufacturer offering Arm chips for Windows PCs. Arm previously indicated that more Microsoft and Qualcomm touted the Snapdragon X laptops as a significant milestone for Windows on Arm, potentially akin to the introduction of Apple Silicon. However, recent market analysis suggests that PCs featuring Qualcomm's chips are struggling to catch on as x86-based alternatives dominate AI PC sales. TechRadar Pro reports that sales of laptops featuring Qualcomm's Arm-based Snapdragon X processors reached only around 720,000 units in the third quarter of 2024, their first full quarter on the market. The number represents less than 0.8 percent of Q3 PC shipments and less than one out of every 125 devices. As the first PCs to support Microsoft's Copilot GenAI features, laptops featuring Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Pro and Elite chips represent the tip of the company's AI PC spear. However, data from Canalys indicates that AI PCs are increasing their market presence primarily through the latest x86 processors from Intel and AMD. Manufacturers describe PCs featuring NPUs capable of at least 40 TOPs as AI PCs. Qualifying architectures include Snapdragon X, Intel's Core Ultra 200, AMD's Ryzen AI 300, and arguably Apple's M4. A Canalys report from earlier this month indicates that AI PCs represented 20 percent of all PCs shipped in Q3. The figure marks an increase of 49 percent compared to Q2, likely due to the increased availability of AI PCs. Also Read: Arm vs Qualcomm: mutually assured destruction // Related Stories AMD's budget Krackan Point APU with Zen 5 cores spotted on Geekbench Microsoft releases Windows 11 Arm ISO for easy installation However, consumer enthusiasm for AI PCs and GenAI functionality remains lukewarm. The Intel and AMD devices that likely represent around half of AI PC shipments do not yet support Microsoft's Copilot toolchain. Furthermore, prior impressions of Snapdragon X laptops indicate that improved battery life, often reaching a full day, is their primary selling point. Canalys predicts that Windows 10's impending end-of-life status will spark a significant sales uptick, as users merely trying to upgrade to Windows 11 end up with AI PCs. The analysts told TechRadar Pro that, although Snapdragon X PC sales grew 180 percent between Q2 and Q3, their penetration remains niche. Microsoft's new Surface devices lead the pack, followed by Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Acer. Affordability might be one obstacle, as most Snapdragon X laptops cost at least $900. Qualcomm hopes to lower the barrier of entry to around $700 in 2025. Despite Qualcomm's sluggish early commercial performance, it won't remain the only manufacturer offering Arm chips for Windows PCs. Arm previously indicated that more manufacturers aim to enter the AI PC market in the coming years, one of which is likely Nvidia.

Snapdragon X Laptop Shipments Reached 720,000 Units Since Launch, Capturing A Negligible 0.008 Percent Of The Market, But The Future Of AI PCs Appears Bright

Qualcomm had officially launched the Snapdragon X Elite and the Snapdragon X Plus to capture the ARM-powered notebook space and create trouble for Apple Silicon MacBooks. While there is a ton of growth expected in this category, the latest statistics show that laptops powered by the San Diego's two chipsets are off to a rocky start. Despite a number of companies having partnered with Qualcomm, only 720,000 units have been shipped since launch, making up an almost non-existent 0.008 percent of the entire market, but that does not mean the rest of the AI PCs are struggling to make a dent. While the 'AI PC' notebooks are estimated to witness a massive growth of up to 533.5 percent in 2025, machines powered by the Snapdragon X Elite and the Snapdragon X Plus cannot be a part of the same conversation thanks to the latest statistics shared by TechRadar Pro. Speaking with Canalys, the media outlet reveals that devices featuring the two SoCs garnered 720,000 shipments since launch, which does not exude a whole lot of confidence regarding Qualcomm's plans to penetrate the market. Fortunately, CEO Christiano Amon had previously stated that the company intends to release Windows-powered notebooks for as low as $700, which should definitely make these particular models attractive for students, who not only need significant firepower but incredible battery life. Moreover, a new unnamed Snapdragon X silicon is expected to arrive next year that will be found in $600 products, meaning that Qualcomm is gunning for the entry-level sector too. It is safe to assume that Qualcomm is heavily invested in claiming a massive piece of the pie for itself, but the road is going to be immensely tough as Intel and AMD continue to churn out their versions of AI PCs, not to mention that NVIDIA has teamed up with MediaTek to launch something similar in the second half of 2025. This chipset is said to be adopted by the likes of Lenovo, Dell, ASUS, and others, which also incorporate Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite and Snapdragon X Plus in their machines, resulting in more competition. When the first wave of Snapdragon X Elite and Snapdragon X Plus products rolled out, pricing was not their forte, especially considering that Apple's M3 MacBook Air with 16GB unified RAM and 512GB of storage can be had for $1,049, with the more premium M4 MacBook Pro with 16GB unified RAM, 512GB storage, and mini-LED screen going for just $1,399 at this time. As the market matures, we should see more affordable solutions down the road, but we can only monitor how big of an impact these make in the upcoming quarters, so stay tuned.

x86 reigns supreme as Snapdragon X Elite chips captured just 0.8% of the market with 720,000 units sold in Q3 2024 -- Qualcomm misses out on rising AI PC sales with Intel and AMD taking charge

Despite Qualcomm's ambitions and high hopes to control over 50% of the Windows market in the next five years, recent statistics show that its first-gen X Elite offerings are failing to gain consumer traction. TechRadar reports that of all PCs sold in Q3 24, Qualcomm's chips powered 720,000 units - capturing just 0.8% of the entire market. In other words, one out of every 125 devices sold in the last quarter featured an X Elite processor, which pales in contrast to Intel, AMD, and even Apple on the Arm front. Undoubtedly, AI PCs are on the rise, primarily because virtually every new processor comes equipped with a Copilot PC+ compliant NPU. Per the report, 13.3 million AI PCs were shipped in Q3 this year - a 20% increase compared to last quarter. For the uninitiated, this stat refers to PCs featuring an NPU-equipped processor, like Intel's Meteor Lake and Lunar Lake offerings, AMD's Phoenix, Hawk Point, and Strix Point series, and Qualcomm's X Elite SoCs. Despite a 180% surge in X Elite sales from Q2 24 to Q3, Qualcomm's chips power less than 1.5% of Windows PCs. This lackluster reception is primarily due to unoptimized software or the lack thereof. For example, Microsoft's tardy release of an official Windows 11 ISO for Arm devices left early X Elite adopters in the cold for months. Additionally, Linux support isn't as robust as existing x86 alternatives; longer battery life isn't sufficient or incentivizing enough to drive adoption. Qualcomm is preparing to launch budget X Elite laptops next year to somewhat alleviate this situation. On that note, the fruits of Qualcomm's acquisition of Nuvia are materializing -- both in terms of high-stakes litigation and powerful mobile SoCs, namely, the Snapdragon 8 Elite designed using the Oryon 2 architecture. Rumors suggest that the X Elite's successor will jump directly to Oryon 3, aiming for a 2025 reveal/launch. In any case, compatibility will always be an issue with these Arm SoCs (in Windows) - be it any chip maker. Apple's sheer market share and dominance compelled developers to write and optimize software for its silicon. Collaborating with Microsoft is vital for Qualcomm in this regard, however, it'd still have to compete with other x86 players in the Windows space; Intel and AMD.