Official DirectX 12 support will likely improve PC game compatibility and performance
At the Snapdragon Summit 2026, Qualcomm unveiled its latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 and Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 chips. These powerful mobile processors boast impressive specifications, including a 2 + 6 Oryon CPU layout with 2 Prime cores clocked at 5GHz and 6 Performance cores at 4GHz. Despite their capabilities, these chips currently lack support for running PC games that require DirectX 12.
Rumors are circulating that Qualcomm is exploring the possibility of adding DirectX 12 support to future Snapdragon mobile chips, potentially including the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 series. This move could enable users to emulate games that rely on Microsoft’s graphics and multimedia API for Windows 11 and Xbox, enhancing the gaming experience on mobile devices.
While Qualcomm has not officially confirmed plans for DirectX 12 support, a recent test conducted by China-based YouTuber Geekerwan showcased the feature on an engineering reference smartphone equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6. Games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Black Myth: Wukong ran at an average of over 30fps in Geekerwan’s tests, hinting at the potential for improved gaming performance.
It’s unclear what Qualcomm’s official plans are
Despite the promising test results, Qualcomm has remained silent on the inclusion of DirectX 12 support in its future chips. During the Snapdragon Summit 2026, there was no mention of this feature, and the company provided an indirect response when questioned about it during a media Q&A session.
Adding DirectX 12 support to Snapdragon chips could open up new possibilities for gaming on Android devices. Emulators like Turnip currently enable PC game emulation on Android, but official support from Qualcomm would streamline the process and enhance overall compatibility and performance.
While the future of DirectX 12 support on Snapdragon chips remains uncertain, the potential benefits for mobile gaming enthusiasts are significant. As Qualcomm continues to push the boundaries of mobile technology, gamers may soon enjoy a more seamless and immersive gaming experience on their devices.
