Qualcomm confirms Snapdragon X Elite PCs will launch with the “next version of Windows” in June
Version 24H2 will ship first on new Arm PCs launching mid-2024.
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What you need to know
Qualcomm has today confirmed that the first wave of PCs powered by its Snapdragon X Elite chip will launch alongside the next version of Windows this summer. In an earnings callspotted by PC Mag, Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon mentioned the plan while asserting these devices are on-schedule to ship starting mid-2024.
“We’re tracking to the launch of products with this chipset tied with the next version of Microsoft Windows that has a lot of the Windows AI capabilities. We’re still maintaining the same date, which is driven by Windows, which is mid-2024.”
This lines up withmy previous reportingthat the first Windows vNext devices would begin shipping in June, includingMicrosoft’s own next-gen Surface PCs powered by Arm. Qualcomm’s CEO has also handily confirmed that the nextWindows OS update will be focused on new AI capabilities, something we’ve known for a while.
What’s still unknown is what name this next Windows version will take.I believe Microsoft will continue with the Windows 11 branding, perhaps with an AI tagline, but others think Microsoft will call it Windows 12. I’ve made several arguments for why I don’t think that’s the case, but never say never.
My sources say Microsoft is planning to roll outthe next Windows OS update in two waves, with the first wave consisting of the Windows Germanium platform release shipping on new Snapdragon X Elite hardware. This update won’t be made available as an OTA for existing PCs, as that’s not scheduled to take place until September or October once the Hudson Valley update is finalized.
While the June launch window will include some next-gen capabilities, most of the end-user facing features won’t appear until the Hudson Valley update is ready, which will ship as an OTA on top of the Germanium platform release in September or October.
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Zac Bowden is a Senior Editor at Windows Central. Bringing you exclusive coverage into the world of Windows on PCs, tablets, phones, and more. Also an avid collector of rare Microsoft prototype devices! Keep in touch onTwitterandThreads
