Microsoft Ends Support for Snapdragon 850
Microsoft officially ended support for the Snapdragon 850 chipset with the Windows 11 26H2 update. Here are the details.
Microsoft has officially announced the end of software support for the Snapdragon 850 chipset, a significant milestone for Windows on Arm technology. According to the company’s statement, the recently released Windows 11 26H2 version is the last operating system update to support this platform.
The Snapdragon 850, one of Qualcomm’s first platforms designed specifically for Windows-based devices, has until now appealed to a limited user base. This development marks the end of an era in the evolution of the ARM-based Windows ecosystem.
- Windows 11 version 26H2 has been identified as the last update supporting the Snapdragon 850 platform.
- The Snapdragon 850 is the first chipset developed specifically for Windows in collaboration between Microsoft and Qualcomm.
- Support for devices with the previously used Snapdragon 835 processor was discontinued earlier.
Windows on ARM Technology is Evolving
The release of the Snapdragon 850 was considered one of the first concrete steps in the Windows on ARM vision. While the previous Snapdragon 835 model was actually hardware designed for smartphones, the 850 model was directly optimized to meet the performance needs of laptops.
However, this platform struggled to meet user expectations when it was first released and failed to achieve the expected commercial success due to its low performance.
Microsoft’s decision is seen as part of the company’s strategy to focus on modern hardware.
User Numbers Remain at Quite Limited Levels
The end of the hardware’s support period is not expected to have a major impact on a large audience, as the number of devices using this processor on the market is quite low.
Although Microsoft and Qualcomm tried to redefine mobility in the Windows world with the Snapdragon 850, this platform has become an outdated solution today. Hardware manufacturers and software developers are now focused on new generation processors like the Snapdragon X series, which offer higher power efficiency and processing power.
Older Generation Devices Pose Security Risks
The discontinuation of support means that Snapdragon 850-based computers will no longer receive new features or critical security updates. This could invite security vulnerabilities, especially for corporate users and individuals working with sensitive data.
In this period of rapid technological ecosystem change, the replacement of older hardware with newer technologies is an inevitable process. Microsoft continues to encourage its users to switch to new hardware for a more performant and reliable Windows experience.
Are you using a device with a Snapdragon 850, or are you considering switching to a new generation ARM-based computer following this development? You can share your experiences and opinions with us in the comments section.
