10 years, one spirit: The evolution of Snapdragon Summit
It’s that time of year again: Snapdragon Summit. As I pack for Maui once again this year, I can’t help but reflect on how far we’ve come. Ten years ago, my team and I walked into a bustling loft in New York City’s Chelsea district to unveil Snapdragon 835, redefining immersive mobile experiences. We were a smaller group with enormous ambition — ready to spark a new era in mobile, gaming and camera technology, we set the tone for a decade of relentless breakthrough innovation ahead.
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Fresh from the event’s success, we started planning for the following year. Bigger, bolder and somewhere that was a more convenient midpoint for our global attendees. We landed on Hawaii, where the energy of the islands matches the energy of our innovations. Each year since, the Hawaiian community has embraced us, sharing their spirit of aloha. It's deeply woven through Snapdragon Summit, as we in turn share our gratitude.
Their ho’okipa, or hospitality — especially in the wake of 2023’s devastating Maui wildfires — has only strengthened the deep sense of community that we share with the islands. It’s a joyful and treasured moment as Snapdragon Summit officially kicks off with the tradition of the Oli Aloha. A local Hawaiian kahu welcomes us with a formal blessing to acknowledge the land, the people and the purpose of this event. Blowing of the Pū, a ceremonial call, signals the proceedings and welcomes guests to the sacred space.
The true Snapdragon Summit experience is nearly impossible to capture into words. It’s the buzz, the energy and most of all the people. We welcome global media — journalists, industry analysts and content creators — who share our passion for technology. Together, we enjoy new experiences and new conversations year after year.
Whether sitting on the lawn at breakfast, waiting anxiously for the keynote doors to open, discovering technology-first experiences or toasting with the famous Snapdragon Summit tiki mugs at the closing luau. After a year of virtual meetings, phone calls and endless emails, there’s nothing quite like finally coming together in person and the sense of global community that we feel in the islands.
Looking back, each Snapdragon Summit has been more than a showcase for new platforms — it’s been a launchpad for breakthrough technologies that have shaped the industry. From custom silicon and the first always-connected PCs to the dawn of 5G, on-device AI and seamless cross-device intelligence, Snapdragon has consistently pushed the boundaries of what’s possible. Our partners and the broader tech community have been essential to this journey, helping us turn bold ideas into real-world impact.
This thread of innovation connects every chapter of our story. And now, as we look ahead to Snapdragon Summit 2025, the thread is the strongest yet. This year, we’re not just talking about the future — we’re showing how Snapdragon will shake up the industry once again. At Qualcomm Technologies, we’re focused on making AI personal, powerful and accessible — right on the devices you use every day. The Snapdragon X Elite platform, launched in 2023, transformed the Windows PC market, and now the next generation is about to take center stage.
If the past decade has taught me anything, it’s that the best is always yet to come. I invite you to join us as we celebrate ten years of extraordinary breakthroughs and look forward to the next era of innovation powered by Snapdragon. The next chapter begins now.
