According to a report from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Qualcomm is planning to bring a more affordable Snapdragon chip to Windows laptops. At the same time, the company intends to significantly increase the price of its flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chip.

Snapdragon chips have long been renowned as the most powerful and popular chipset for Android devices. However, their prices have been steadily rising over time. Qualcomm's move to newer TSMC nodes and the introduction of the Oryon CPU to its mobile chips may warrant a major price increase for the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4.

Rumors suggest that Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 will be approximately 25-30% more expensive than its predecessor, Gen 3. Device makers are expected to pay around $190-200 for the chip alone. The primary reason for this increase is the utilization of TSMC's latest and more expensive N3E node, which employs a 3nm process. Android devices will thus be among the first to feature a 3nm chip after Apple introduced it in last year's iPhone 15 Pro.

Qualcomm had previously confirmed that Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 will be launched in October of this year. Consequently, the higher price of the chip may lead to Android devices powered by Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 being sold with more expensive price tags.

On the other hand, Kuo reveals that Qualcomm plans to launch a more affordable chip specifically tailored for Windows laptops. The new chip, codenamed "Canim," is expected to match the AI processing power (40 TOPs) of the Snapdragon X Elite chip. However, it will be available at a cost suitable for laptops sold for as low as $599.

Unfortunately for consumers, this new chip is not expected to be released until the end of 2025.

In conclusion, Qualcomm's upcoming plans include a more budget-friendly Snapdragon chip for Windows laptops and a price increase for the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4. These developments may reshape the landscape of mobile devices and their pricing.