The ambitious chip merger plan by Qualcomm paves the way for a potential return of the Windows Phone.
The distinction between personal computers and phones is becoming even more blurred.
Qualcomm is advancing towards the unification of its Snapdragon processors for mobile and desktop devices under a new brand called 'Elite'. This move represents an important step towards creating a device that combines the functionalities of a phone and a PC. Despite the failure of Windows Phone, the boundaries between phones and computers have progressively blurred, especially with the arrival of tablets using Windows and ChromeOS.
Nowadays, it is common for many people to perform work tasks from their smartphones and tablets. Software has also evolved to adapt to these new ways of working. For example, in the past, editing documents on a mobile phone was a complicated task, but today, thanks to technology, it is possible to do so with ease.
With this new strategic direction, Qualcomm is not the only company looking to consolidate its chips. Apple, after breaking away from Intel processors in its Mac devices, is also integrating its M-series and A-series chips, aiming to compete with Qualcomm. Although Intel remains a key player in the computer processor market, Qualcomm is determined to compete in this area.
With its powerful Snapdragon X Elite, Qualcomm has enabled Microsoft to improve the performance of Windows on devices with ARM chips. Recent improvements in application compatibility have resulted in highly effective devices like the Surface Pro 11, which has received very positive reviews. This trend is expected to continue and shape a new type of technology that merges the capabilities of a phone and a computer.
Cristiano Amon, CEO of Qualcomm, has described the Snapdragon X Elite as a revolution comparable to the arrival of Windows 95, following its presentation at Computex 2024. This opens the door to the possibility of devices that run a Windows operating system efficiently on smartphones, offering the functionality to connect to monitors and keyboards, turning them into mini PCs.
However, there are still challenges to face, such as creating an effective app store and integrating Qualcomm technology into smartphones. This union between devices is still an evolving concept, but it represents an exciting opportunity for the future of portable computing.
On the other hand, Google could also take advantage of this opportunity, as some Chromebooks use mobile chips, combining the ChromeOS operating system with the hardware capabilities of smartphones, which could be an interesting factor in the development of hybrid devices.