Qualcomm is making significant strides in the x86 market, as evidenced during its recent Q4 2024 earnings call. CEO Cristiano R. Amon announced an impressive increase in design wins for the Snapdragon X Plus eight-core platform, reaching 58—a substantial rise from the 20 designs reported in May. This surge reflects a growing interest among original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in Arm-based Windows laptops, a sector that has historically faced challenges in gaining traction against the dominant forces of Intel and AMD.
Growing OEM Interest
While these design wins are promising, they must ultimately translate into consumer sales to signify true success. Arm-based Windows machines have long been touted for their potential efficiency and enhanced battery life. However, Qualcomm’s journey into the Windows laptop arena has been marked by slow progress, often hindered by compatibility issues, performance compromises, and the entrenched legacy of x86 architecture.
The leap from 20 to 58 designs within just six months is a noteworthy indicator of increasing OEM enthusiasm. This uptick suggests that key industry players are beginning to explore the capabilities of Snapdragon X-powered laptops. Nevertheless, Qualcomm faces the formidable task of converting these design wins into actual products that resonate with consumers.
In contrast, Intel and AMD have consistently amassed hundreds of design wins annually, bolstered by a well-established reputation for trust and compatibility—an area where Arm is still striving to gain ground. The question remains: does this acceleration in adoption signify a genuine breakthrough for Arm?
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Plus platform boasts advancements such as AI capabilities, 5G connectivity, and promises of superior battery life—features that traditional x86 laptops may find challenging to match. However, the gap between technical promise and market readiness is still a concern.
Arm on Windows continues to grapple with software compatibility and performance expectations. Although Microsoft’s x64 emulation has made some improvements, it remains imperfect. For many prospective laptop buyers, the notion that “it works sometimes” does not instill the confidence necessary to drive purchases. While Snapdragon’s battery efficiency and mobile connectivity are appealing, they face stiff competition from the reliability of x86 systems, particularly within the Microsoft Windows ecosystem.
At present, Intel and AMD maintain their dominance in the Windows laptop market. Although Arm’s anticipated breakthrough seems perpetually just out of reach, the recent developments signal a positive trend toward non-x86 Windows OS-compatible designs. Ultimately, widespread shipments will be the definitive factor in determining the success of Qualcomm’s ambitions.
In terms of financial performance, Qualcomm reported a revenue of .2 billion for Q4 of its fiscal 2024, marking a 19 percent increase year-on-year. The company also recorded a net income of .92 billion, a remarkable 96 percent rise. Over the fiscal year, revenue climbed 9 percent to billion, while net profit surged 40 percent to .14 billion.
