April 15, 2025 | Updated: June 16, 2026
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What is Snapdragon®?
In this article:
- Snapdragon® X2 Series processors feature a neural processing unit (NPU) delivering 80 trillion operations per second (TOPS), allowing advanced AI features, like agentic AI, to run locally and securely.
- Snapdragon® X2 Elite is designed for heavy workloads like 3D rendering and video editing, while the Snapdragon® X2 Plus provides effortless multitasking and all-day battery life for everyday productivity.
- Snapdragon® X2 Series processors power exclusive Copilot+ PC features, including Recall for instant file searching, Cocreator for AI artwork, and Live Captions with real-time translation.
- Efficient architecture generates less heat for quieter operation and uses smart power management to ensure Surface laptops stay fast and responsive throughout the day.
- Snapdragon® Sound™ is built into the processors for high-resolution music, crystal-clear voice calls, and lag-free gaming.
With Copilot+ PCs, like Surface Pro, 13-inch and Surface Laptop, 13.8-inch and 15-inch, incredible speed and long battery life2 come together with game-changing AI experiences. That’s because the latest Surface devices are powered by Snapdragon® X2 Series processors1, specialized computer chips for AI-intensive processes like real-time translations and image generation.
This powerful blend of hardware and AI is just the beginning. Fasten your seat belt and get ready to experience what’s possible when speed, performance, and innovation come together.
Your new superpower, powered by Snapdragon®
When choosing a new Surface, you have the option of configuring it with the Snapdragon® X2 Elite or Snapdragon® X2 Plus processor:
- Snapdragon® X2 Elite: Powers Surface through advanced on-device AI features, image-generation scenarios, and capable multitasking. From agentic AI, video editing, and 3D rendering to running multiple creative apps at once, Surface is designed to support smooth, efficient workflows and help keep your creativity moving throughout the day.
- Snapdragon® X2 Plus: Powers Surface with the speed to multitask effortlessly, the battery life2 to last all day, and on-device AI features that power agentic AI are designed to work smarter. Surface helps you stay productive—wherever your day takes you.
Both processors are built to make Surface laptops the fastest and most intelligent Windows PCs ever. Accelerate your productivity and creativity with unique Copilot+ PC experiences3 powered by Snapdragon®.
Snapdragon® processors: The engine that makes it all go…faster
Think of your laptop’s processor as the engine that makes it all go. For example, the processor determines the speed at which a computer runs programs, loads pages, and downloads files.
Snapdragon® X Series Elite and Plus Processors are the engines that make Surface go even faster. Both processors give you incredible performance, all-day battery life, and advanced agentic AI acceleration thanks to a neural processing unit (NPU) that delivers up to 80 trillion operations per second (TOPS). With the NPU, AI features can run locally on your PC—helping deliver responsive performance while keeping data closer to you.
Fast and ready to tackle your tasks
With premium performance, the latest Surface devices deliver:
- Fast, responsive performance: Load apps, switch between tasks, and process information efficiently, thanks to the combination of Snapdragon X2 Series Processors and Windows optimizations.
- Enhanced multitasking: Seamlessly run multiple applications, supported by the multi-threaded performance of Snapdragon X2 Series Processors.
- Extended battery life: Keep working all day without worrying about your laptop slowing down.
Get the most out of AI features and gaming
Surface, powered by Snapdragon®, is smarter too, enabling you to stay in your workflow with AI-assistance and productivity tools. The powerful NPU unlocks new levels of on-device AI processing for productivity and creativity tasks—like speech-to-text, text-to-image, intelligent agents, and video processing.
The premier processor for AI tools
Accelerate your productivity and creativity3 with AI features7, powered by Snapdragon®.
For example, Microsoft Copilot on Windows, your AI companion, helps you work smarter, be more productive, and stay connected to the people and things in your life.
Surface laptops configured with 16GB+ RAM give you on-device AI acceleration and unlock even more AI power with unique Copilot+ PC experiences7, such as:
- Recall (preview): Searching for a document, email, or web page on your PC can be time-consuming. Describe how you remember something, and Recall finds it for you, instantly.
- Live Captions with translations: Display accurate subtitles in real time with automatic Live Captions. Podcasts, movies, and video calls can be transcribed and translated into English4.
- Windows Studio Effects (full featured): Every call can be a chance for genuine connection. Capture your best self by applying effects that enhance video calls.
- Cocreator in Paint: Turn your ideas into AI-generated artwork. However, your idea comes to you, Cocreator can help you finish.3
- Automatic super resolution: Upscale games in real time to deliver high-definition, high-frame rate gaming, and pixel-sharp video calls. Your Surface laptop powered by Snapdragon® can upscale the graphics of select games to HD with no performance hit.5
Secured core means hard core
From the moment you turn on your Surface, the Snapdragon® processor brings you the highest standard for Windows security available. Experience the power of a turbocharged NPU, combining speed, AI, and security:
- Snapdragon® X2 Elite:
- Qualcomm Oryon 12-Core CPU
- Premium speeds and extended battery life
- Ideal for CPU/GPU intensive tasks like gaming and video production
- Superior performance for heavy workloads
- Snapdragon® X2 Plus:
- Qualcomm Oryon 10-Core CPU
- Powerful performance with great battery life
- More affordable, with excellent AI capabilities
- Balanced performance for a wide range of users
Processors that manage power consumption
Snapdragon® X2 Elite and Snapdragon® X2 Plus processors are designed to optimize power usage, ensuring long-lasting battery life when you're on the go. Discover:
- Efficient power management: Advanced architecture and Windows 11 power features reduce consumption when your Surface is idle or in sleep mode, preserving energy for when you need it.
- Enhanced battery life: With Snapdragon® X2 Elite, enjoy efficient power management for all-day battery life, so you can work wherever you are.
Keep Surface cool
With Snapdragon® X2 Elite and Snapdragon® X2 Plus, advanced thermal management ensures Surface runs smoothly under pressure. Experience:
- Less heat, better performance: The efficient Snapdragon X2 Series processor design generates less heat, which keeps Surface performing at its best without throttling during heavy tasks.
- Quieter operation: The improved thermal design means fewer internal fans spinning up, so Surface stays quieter even when you're tackling intensive workloads.
Reliable internet connections, lower latency
Snapdragon® processors offer:
- Wi-Fi 7 support 6: Get faster, more reliable internet with less lag, perfect for video calls, streaming, or quick uploads.
- 5G connectivity: Stay connected even when you’re away from Wi-Fi (Surface Pro with Snapdragon X2 processors only, available through commercial retailers or Microsoft Store for Business).
Designed for AI, powered by Snapdragon®
With Snapdragon®, Surface offers exceptional performance, all-day battery life, and advanced AI features. Snapdragon X2 Elite is ideal for productivity and creativity tasks like video editing, content creation, and multitasking. Gaming and 3D rendering are also supported as additional benefits.
The choice is yours with Surface. Configure your Surface Pro or Surface Laptop today.
- [1] Snapdragon® and Qualcomm branded products are products of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries.
- [2] Battery life varies significantly based on device configuration, usage, network and feature configuration, signal strength, settings and other factors. See Surface battery performance for details.
- [3] Copilot+ PC experiences vary by device and market and may require updates continuing to roll out; timing varies. See aka.ms/copilotpluspcs.
- [4] Currently supports translation for video and audio subtitles into English from 40+ languages. See aka.ms/nextgenaipcs.
- [5] Available at initial launch in limited number of games available through the Xbox app in Windows PC. See https://aka.ms/nextgenaipcs.
- [6] 6GHz band not available in all regions.
- [7] Copilot+ PC experiences and some features require 16GB+ RAM.
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