Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme Benchmarks Show Apple M5 Pro and M5 Max Still Leading

Qualcomm recently introduced its third-generation Oryon CPU cores with the new Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme, and early benchmarks show the chip making notable progress against Apple’s latest silicon.

The Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme features an 18-core CPU designed to boost both single-core and multi-core performance compared to previous Snapdragon X processors, marking a significant step forward for Qualcomm’s Windows laptop platform. However, the key question is whether it can compete with Apple’s M5 chips.

Early Geekbench results reveal strong gains but trailing performance

Initial Geekbench 6 results, reportedly obtained from an ASUS Zenbook 16 system, show significant gains over the previous Snapdragon X Elite generation. However, the chip still trails Apple’s newest processors.

According to the results, Apple’s M5 Pro scores about 5.2% higher in single-core performance and roughly 21.2% higher in multi-core workloads compared to the Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme.

The M5 Max extends that lead further, with around 5.8% higher single-core performance and about 26% better multi-core performance.

Interestingly, even the previous-generation M4 Max, which uses a 16-core CPU, slightly surpasses Qualcomm’s new chip in single-core tests and delivers about 14% stronger multi-core results.

These results highlight Apple’s continued advantage in custom laptop silicon development. Apple has spent several years refining its in-house processors, while Qualcomm’s Oryon-based laptop chips are still relatively new.

The Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme represents only the second generation of Qualcomm’s fully custom Oryon laptop CPU cores, meaning the architecture may still have room to mature in future iterations.

Meanwhile, Apple’s long-running silicon roadmap continues to push performance forward with each generation.

Qualcomm is expected to continue refining its laptop processors in upcoming releases as it tries to close the gap with Apple’s M-series chips.

In related news, reports suggest that Qualcomm has also delayed its Windows handheld chip project, potentially affecting upcoming portable gaming devices.

Via Wccftech