Qualcomm's Snapdragon X chipset powers AI PCs, offering features like real-time noise cancellation and extended battery life.
The company aims to make AI PCs accessible in India, targeting the sub-$600 market segment.
Qualcomm is actively engaging with the Indian government to support local innovation and the country’s digital transformation.
While Qualcomm Technologies remains to be a key player, not just in mobile chipsets but across industries ranging from automotive to AI-driven personal computing, the company is more bullish on the Indian market than ever before. At the heart of this transformation is the Snapdragon X Platform, Qualcomm Technologies’ premium AI-driven computing experience, which makes AI PCs affordable and accessible.
Savi Soin, Senior Vice President & President, Qualcomm India, reflected on the company’s journey over the last year and its vision for 2025. “Last year was amazing for us. We wanted to bring Snapdragon’s premium experience across multiple industries—from 5G-connected homes to AI PCs, smartphones, and even smart clusters in two-wheelers. A major focus was also on Snapdragon India, developing products and solutions tailored to the Indian consumer and industry,” he said.
AI PCs: A New Era for Computing
A major component of Qualcomm Technologies’ is the AI PC revolution, which saw significant traction in 2024. AI PCs are designed to integrate on-device artificial intelligence seamlessly. While Qualcomm Technologies had introduced its Snapdragon X Elite Platform last year, it has now announced the Snapdragon X chipset which will be first used in India on the new Asus Zenbook A14 and Vivobook 16.
The new Arm-based chip features Oryon CPU cores, similar to those in higher-end Snapdragon X-Series processors. It has a Neural Processing unit (NPU) with 45 TOPS (trillion operations per second) capability. This enables on-device AI processing and supports Microsoft’s Copilot+ PC Platform.
“India is a mobile-first country, and AI PCs are bringing mobile-like experiences to laptops. Traditional PCs are often seen as bulky and outdated, but with Snapdragon-powered AI PCs, we’re introducing sleek, power-efficient devices that deliver intelligent features like real-time noise cancellation and contextual AI-driven personalisation,” Mr. Soin explained.
Other highlights of the new platform are extended battery life, Bluetooth 5.4 support, and compatibility with Wi-Fi 7.
Qualcomm Technologies has worked closely with laptop manufacturers to ensure that AI PCs cater to the Indian market. The company is aiming to make AI-powered computing more accessible targeting the sub-$600 segment. “Why would anyone buy a regular PC when they can have an AI PC that enhances productivity, connectivity, and personalisation?” he asked.
AI and the India Opportunity
Qualcomm Technologies’ commitment to India extends beyond devices. It also includes a strong focus on government partnerships and local innovation. “We are actively participating in India’s semiconductor and AI missions. We are working closely with the government to explore opportunities in design and innovation within the country,” Mr. Soin noted.
The Indian government’s push for digital transformation aligns with Qualcomm Technologies’ AI-driven strategy. “AI at the edge, on- device AI, will be the backbone of India’s digital revolution. Not everything needs to go to the cloud. AI running locally ensures security, privacy, and real-time processing,” he added.
Separately, Qualcomm Technologies has also opened its first-ever Snapdragon Experience Zone in India in partnership with Croma, marking a major shift in how it connects with consumers. Snapdragon’s Experience Zone within Croma stores is designed to give consumers a hands-on feel of AI PCs, smartphones, XR solutions, and more.
The Future of Snapdragon
While AI PCs are a major focus, Qualcomm Technologies is also exploring new form factors for Snapdragon-powered AI. When asked about potential expansion beyond traditional PCs, Mr. Soin hinted at broader applications. “More on that soon. But Qualcomm Technologies has always been at the forefront of wireless connectivity, low-power computing, and AI integration. Whether it’s retail, point-of-sale systems, or other connected devices, our technology will continue to push the boundaries.”
As Qualcomm Technologies gears up for 2025, the company’s ambitions remain high. “This is just the beginning. 2025 will be a special year for us,” Mr. Soin concluded, reinforcing the company’s dedication to driving AI innovation and shaping the future of computing in India and beyond.
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