Behind the Silicon: Snapdragon X

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NVIDIA's ARM Architecture-based CPU, N1X, Reportedly Encounters Severe Design Flaws, Delaying Product Launch to 2026.

NVIDIA's strategy, which prioritized AI computation optimization and high-performance, low-power design, aimed to enter the AI PC and gaming laptop markets with the N1X. However, critical hardware defects have recently been discovered in the newly designed chip, leading engineers to undertake a complete redesign of the silicon structure itself.

Earlier this year, NVIDIA did face some technical issues during the N1X development process, but those were solvable without modifying the silicon itself. This time, however, the defects necessitate fundamental design corrections, leading to criticism that the earlier "start of mass production" announcement was overly optimistic.

In related news, some industry sources report that NVIDIA is developing gaming laptops with Dell's Alienware, combining an Arm-based CPU with an integrated GeForce GPU. While actual consumer demand remains uncertain, NVIDIA is seen as attempting to build its own ecosystem in this market as well.

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¿Nuevas plataformas para todos los dispositivos electrónicos?

¿Es decir que se viene la nueva generación de procesadores para laptops y desktops?

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Yes. Se viene la nueva generación.

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Lo que viene haciendo AMD con sus gráficos integrados ya tiene respuesta de part de Intel y Nvidia:

On September 18, 2025, Nvidia and Intel announced a historic multi-generation partnership to co-develop chips for data centers and PCs. As part of the deal, Nvidia invested $5 billion in Intel stock at $23.28 per share.

The collaboration will see Intel design custom Nvidia x86 server CPUs while also producing Intel x86 RTX SoCs—processors that combine Intel x86 cores with GeForce RTX GPU chiplets.

These chips promise 14x PCIe bandwidth, faster memory sharing, and built-in support for ray tracing, DLSS, and AI graphics, bringing discrete-class performance to thin laptops and compact desktops.

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Hay al menos 3 aspectos que me parece que Qualcomm tiene que mejorar en su linea X Elite.

- Anuncio de los procesadores cuando el lanzamiento de los productos finales esté cerca. Tal como lo hacen con los teléfonos. Ya salió la línea de Xiaomi 17 (17, 17 Pro y 17 Pro Max) con el Snapdragon 8 Gen 5. Eso de tener que esperar entre 6 y 9 meses al lanzamiento de los equipos hace que la gente pierda entusiasmo, porque para ese entonces ya la competencia puede haber anunciado y lanzado equipos que los igualan o superan. Esa ventana entre anuncio y disponibilidad es demasiado amplia.
- Soporte Linux desde el primer día. Particularmente no me interesa usar Windows. Antes hacía dual boot win/linux, pero ya tengo unos añitos usando solo Linux.
- En el caso de equipos de escritorio, que aparentemente vienen: soporte para tarjetas gráficas externas de cualquier fabricante.

Otro aspecto es contar con software optimizado para Windows en arm, que es el sistema operativo en el cuál realmente estan enfocados. Necesitan atraer a más desarrolladores que lancen su software de manera nativa. Existe Prism para que el software escrito para X86-Amd64 funcione en Arm, pero nativo es nativo.

Por ahora parece que el soporte para Linux va bien encaminado, probablemente porque ya se está hablando de laptops X2 Elite con sistema operativo de Google, (Android / Chrome OS)

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[Exclusive] Samsung 2nm Hits Another Milestone — Sample Supply to Qualcomm for Next-Gen AP

Samsung Electronics has supplied Qualcomm with a next-generation application processor (AP) sample built on its 2nm process, signaling a potential revival of collaboration between the two companies. Industry analysts believe Samsung Foundry’s technology has entered a more stable phase in terms of both performance and yield, increasing the likelihood of additional orders from Qualcomm.

According to multiple semiconductor industry sources on the 10th, Samsung Foundry recently provided Qualcomm with a sample of its Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset. This chip is Qualcomm’s next-generation AP designed for premium smartphones to be launched next year — and marks the first supply case applying Samsung’s 2nm process (SF2) technology.

Samsung’s SF2 process improves transistor density and power efficiency compared to its 3nm predecessor. By adopting the Gate-All-Around (GAA) architecture, it enhances gate control versus FinFET, improving both chip performance and power consumption. Samsung has reportedly stabilized yield through Exynos 2600 test production, and the Qualcomm sample was supplied only after meeting internal quality standards.

However, the path from sample supply to mass production involves multiple evaluation stages. Over several months, Qualcomm will rigorously test power efficiency, performance, heat generation, yield, and reliability before moving to trial production — a process typically lasting 6 months to a year. Beyond technical capabilities, yield stability, schedule adherence, and long-term supply capacity are comprehensively assessed. The higher the initial sample quality, the greater the chance of securing a production contract.

Can Samsung and Qualcomm Reunite?

Dual-Sourcing with TSMC May Be on the Horizon

Samsung and Qualcomm once maintained a close relationship, but cracks emerged in 2021 when the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, produced on Samsung’s 4nm process, suffered from heating and yield issues. Failing to secure stable quality, Qualcomm shifted production to TSMC starting with the “8+ Gen 1” — and continued with the 2nd and 3rd generations.

Until recently, industry sentiment remained skeptical about Samsung’s return as Qualcomm’s foundry partner. Even at the Snapdragon Summit 2025 in Hawaii this September, Qualcomm officially named TSMC’s 3nm process as its primary manufacturing node, leaving little room for Samsung.

Yet this 2nm sample supply is viewed as a strong signal that Samsung could rejoin as a secondary foundry partner, handling part of the production volume. While Qualcomm’s main output will likely remain with TSMC, Samsung could assume a “sub-partner” role, sharing limited volumes.

Samsung is reportedly considering producing part of the Snapdragon 8 Elite chips for its upcoming Galaxy Z Flip 8 (expected in the second half of 2026) at its own foundry. This strategy could tightly integrate Samsung’s smartphone and foundry operations — demonstrating technical credibility while boosting revenue.

Samsung Challenges TSMC’s Dominance

Toward Broader Global Client Expansion

Qualcomm has long relied almost exclusively on TSMC for high-performance AP production due to its strong reputation for yield and performance stability. However, TSMC now faces its own challenges, including yield fluctuations in 3nm and price hikes, causing friction with major clients. With Apple, Qualcomm, MediaTek, and Intel all competing for capacity, TSMC’s limits are becoming apparent.

Samsung is exploiting this opening. By building experience through Exynos production and advancing its 2nm mass production capability, Samsung is positioning itself as a cost-competitive and diversified supply chain alternative. The company has also publicly committed to leading TSMC in GAA-based 2nm production timing, giving it more opportunities to prove technical superiority over time.

Still, short-term disruption of TSMC’s dominance seems unlikely. Qualcomm continues to work with TSMC across laptops, XR (extended reality), and automotive chips, and a complete production shift would require Samsung to rebuild long-term trust.

Samsung Foundry has historically lagged behind TSMC in client acquisition, but potential collaborations with NVIDIA, Tesla, and now Qualcomm could reshape that narrative. A renewed partnership with Qualcomm, one of the most symbolic fabless giants, could significantly elevate Samsung’s industry credibility.

If Qualcomm adopts a dual-vendor production strategy, retaining TSMC while engaging Samsung for supplemental capacity, it could accelerate Samsung’s re-entry into the global fabless ecosystem. This also aligns with U.S. and European supply chain diversification initiatives, broadening Samsung’s appeal as a global manufacturing partner.

An industry insider concluded:

“The skepticism toward Samsung was never about its core technology — it was about yield and schedule management. If the collaboration with Qualcomm gains traction, the competitive landscape in 2nm foundry technology could become far more dynamic than it is today.”

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AMD trabajando en ambos frentes. Sigue defendiendo la arquitectura X86-AMD64, pero aparentemente también sigue apuntando al mercado de los equipos con arquitectura Arm, aunque esto último ha sido etiquetado como un rumor.

Ya antes se había escuchado el nombre código Sound Wave, pero ahora resurge el rumor por especulaciones acerca de un reciente manifiesto de envío.

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Según un leak, Apple va a lanzar el M6 en octubre de 2026, por lo que la cadencia de sus lanzamientos pasó de 18 meses a 12 meses, con la salvedad que no lanzan al mercado todos sus productos al mismo tiempo, y cuando lanzan los más poderosos de una generación a los pocos meses lanzan productos de la nueva generación que de alguna manera hacen que algunos sientan que sus equipos nuevos de paquete, recién salidos a la calle, ya empiezan a quedar obsoletos. Y estamos hablando de equipos de la misma marca.





¿Que quedará para los equipos de los demás fabricantes?

Mientras Apple apura el paso, Qualcomm va a paso de tortuga. Apenas ha recien anunciado el Snapdragon X2 Elite, pero aún estamos a meses del lanzamiento primer dispositivo que lo use.

Menos de 8 meses después de eso, en Octubre de 2026, Apple ya habrá lanzado dos generaciones, el M5 y el M6.

Como dije antes, sospecho que la batalla de generaciones entre las marcas se va a poner bien interesante en estos años.

AMD, Intel, Qualcomm y Nvidia-Mediatek van a tener que ponerse las pilas, porque a corto plazo no parece que tengan como competir con el rendimiento del Apple SIlicon. El lado negativo de Apple es su ecosistema cerrado. Buen hardware, pero un ecosistema que no es para todos.

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Traición, decepción, malas noticias.

PC maker TUXEDO has announced that its upcoming Snapdragon X Elite powered Linux notebook has been canceled. The company says it found development to be too challenging, noting that the Snapdragon X Elite SoC was "less suitable for Linux than expected."

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The laptop was in development for a little over 18 months, but the company says pouring anymore time into the project makes little sense given how old the Snapdragon X Elite now is. "We would be offering you a device with what would then be a more than two-year-old Snapdragon X Elite (X1E)."

The company says it will evaluate the viability of a Linux-based laptop with Qualcomm's upcoming Snapdragon X2 Elite SoC, but hasn't made any firm commitments. "If it meets expectations and we can reuse a significant portion of our work on the X1E, we may resume development. How much of our groundwork can be transferred to the X2E can only be assessed after a detailed evaluation of the chip."

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La primera generación es un caso perdido, pero tomando en cuenta que se van a lanzar equipos con el X2 Elite y un sistema operativo de Google (Android/ChromeOS), imagino que si veremos equipos con Linux esta vez.

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Propaganda, pero a alguien le servirá, ¿no?

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Vaporware?