Lost laptops cost money and sleep. Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon Guardian aims to fix that with hardware-level control that works even when a PC is off or won’t boot. It ships as a secure subsystem on the Snapdragon X2 Elite family announced at Snapdragon Summit 2025. Expect stronger manageability, always-connected reach over Wi-Fi and 5G, and tools to locate, lock or wipe devices at scale. First systems are expected from OEM partners starting 2026.
How Snapdragon Guardian works
Snapdragon Guardian is not just a software layer. It’s a dedicated subsystem inside the X2 SoC, built to provide both consumers and enterprises with secure device control at the hardware level. That separation gives IT administrators a way to reach devices independently of the operating system.
- Works as a standalone secure environment inside the Snapdragon X2 Elite
- Connects over Wi-Fi and cellular for out-of-band reach
- Provides remote locate, lock and wipe tools
- Designed to be secure and power-efficient
The key difference here is cellular. As long as the device can reach a mobile network, administrators can act, even if Wi-Fi isn’t available. That gives enterprises a way to manage devices globally, recover them when they’re lost, or shut them down securely if compromised. For consumers, it’s the equivalent of “Find My Device” that still works when the OS is gone.
What’s new with Snapdragon X2 Elite
The X2 Elite is Qualcomm’s second-gen Arm laptop silicon, following this year’s Copilot+ PCs. It adds more cores, faster clocks and a much bigger NPU.
- Up to 18 CPU cores and peak clocks up to 5.0 GHz on select SKUs
- Fabricated on 3 nm for better performance per watt
- 80 TOPS Hexagon NPU for on-device AI
- Improved GPU performance over first-gen X Elite
Qualcomm also introduced an X2 Elite Extreme tier. Together, these chips target longer battery life and faster AI workloads while keeping systems always connected. You can read more about the Snapdragon X2 Elite specs and 80 TOPS NPU in our detailed coverage. The first laptops are expected in the first half of 2026, with broader OEM coverage than the first wave.
Enterprise manageability at scale
Guardian is pitched as a relief valve for IT: fewer truck rolls, faster incidents closed, and better compliance.
- Push policies and updates over cellular or Wi-Fi
- Recover or wipe machines that won’t boot
- Improve asset visibility for remote teams
- Reduce loss exposure and help with audit trails
Because Guardian operates in a constrained subsystem within the SoC, it provides a secure channel that is independent of the OS. For IT administrators, this means devices remain reachable and manageable anywhere in the world. For a wider look at Qualcomm’s long-term vision, check out AI agents and the PC’s next phase.
Timing and what to expect
OEM partners will ship X2 systems next year into 2026. Expect Guardian-equipped Copilot+ laptops from brands already active here, with Wi-Fi 7 and 5G options. Pricing will depend on configuration and NPU class; for context, our recent coverage of the Acer Swift Air 16 Copilot+ shows mainstream AI laptops starting around AED 3,399.
Who should care
- IT teams needing remote recovery and faster incident response
- Retail and field staff that lose devices to travel and shared use
- Consumers who want a find-my-laptop that actually works when the OS won’t
Guardian’s pitch is less about specs and more about certainty: the device answers the call, even when Windows doesn’t.
Can Snapdragon Guardian work if the laptop is powered off?
Yes. It’s designed as a secure subsystem on the X2 platform with Wi-Fi and 5G paths for out-of-band control, including locating, locking and wiping even when the OS is down or the device is off.
When will Snapdragon X2 Elite laptops reach stores?
Qualcomm and partners signal first devices in the first half of 2026.
How is X2 Elite different from the first-gen X Elite?
More CPU cores, higher clocks, a much faster 80 TOPS NPU and broader performance gains across CPU and GPU, plus the addition of Snapdragon Guardian for manageability.
