Low penetration of personal computers in India, coupled with the anticipated upgrade to the Windows 10 operating system, is poised to serve as a pivotal moment for Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X-based devices in the region, according to Kedar Kondap, the senior vice president and general manager for compute and gaming at Qualcomm Technologies. Speaking on Monday, Kondap expressed optimism about replicating the company’s success in the smartphone market within the personal computing sector.
Anticipating a Shift in Consumer Mindset
Kondap highlighted that the turning point for Snapdragon X in India will occur when consumers begin to recognize the advantages of advanced technology, leading to enhanced productivity through devices priced around USD 600. He noted, “2025 also happens to be the year when Windows 10 goes into the end of service. There will be a large set of consumers who are waiting to upgrade their PCs in 2025. We feel like making sure they understand that the PC they buy is a PC of the future with incredible battery life, performance, and GenAI.” With Microsoft set to end support for Windows 10 in October, the timing aligns perfectly for Qualcomm’s strategic push.
Qualcomm has partnered with major manufacturers such as Asus, Acer, Lenovo, HP, and Dell to introduce Snapdragon X platform-based PCs in India. Asus, for instance, is set to launch its Snapdragon X-based Zenbook A14 and Vivobook 16 on March 10, with price points of Rs 65,990 and Rs 99,990, respectively.
Drawing Parallels with Smartphone Growth
Kondap drew parallels between the current state of PC penetration in India, which stands at approximately 10 percent, and the early days of smartphone adoption. “Think of something very similar to what happened many years ago. Smartphone penetration was about 10 percent, and it grew by about 50 percent. Now, it is growing very rapidly. We want to do something very similar in the PC space,” he remarked.
According to Cybermedia Research, Qualcomm held a 26 percent share of the Indian smartphone market in 2024, with its chipsets featured in one in three premium smartphones priced above Rs 25,000. The Snapdragon X platform is claimed to deliver performance that is up to 163 percent faster than competitors, while consuming 168 percent less power.
In a bid to enhance consumer engagement, Qualcomm has opened its first experience center in collaboration with Croma, with plans to establish additional stores in the near future. The company aims to extend the reach of Qualcomm Snapdragon-based devices into smaller towns across India this year, further solidifying its presence in the burgeoning personal computing market.
