Qualcomm Snapdragon X Series to Support Android 16 Soon

Key Takeaways

1. Qualcomm is advancing support for Android 16 on its Snapdragon X Elite and X series processors.
2. Internal updates reveal active development of firmware components essential for Android 16, including camera, Bluetooth, and audio subsystems.
3. This development aligns with Google’s strategy to merge Chrome OS and Android, aiming for desktop-like features in Android 16.
4. Upcoming devices like laptops, tablets, and mini PCs may run on Snapdragon X series processors with Android in the near future.
5. Qualcomm is also working to support Android 16 on previous generation Snapdragon X series processors, but next-gen processors are not yet compatible.

Qualcomm is reportedly making strides to support the upcoming Android 16 on its Snapdragon X Elite and X series processors. According to a tip shared by @Jukanlosreve on X, the company has updated its internal source repository for “Purwa,” which is the codename for the X series.

Firmware Components Indicate Progress

The screenshot that was shared highlights manifests for various firmware components crucial for the Android build environment. This includes sections for the camera subsystem, Bluetooth, and audio subsystem. Such details point towards Qualcomm’s active development efforts for Android 16 compatibility.

Expectations Align with Google’s Vision

This news aligns well with prior expectations following Google’s announcement about merging Chrome OS and Android. Google has rolled out desktop-oriented features in Android 16, yet the basic version of the mobile operating system still lacks a true desktop interface.

If this information proves accurate, we could see laptops, tablets, and mini PCs running on Snapdragon X series processors and Android in the near future. This would present an intriguing alternative in the Arm64 development space that Qualcomm has been part of since launching the Snapdragon X CPUs (HP OmniBook 5 with X1P-42-100 curr. $549.99 on Amazon).

Support for Older Generations

Additionally, it’s worth noting that the screenshot indicates Qualcomm is working to add Android 16 support to the previous generation of Snapdragon X series processors. However, the next-gen processors are reportedly not compatible with Android just yet.

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