--- title: "Behind the Silicon S2 Ep. 6: A Legendary Leap in Performance" url: "https://www.qualcomm.com/snapdragon/news/behind-the-silicon-s2-ep--6--a-legendary-leap-in-performance" --- # Behind the Silicon S2 Ep. 6: A Legendary Leap in Performance Snapdragon Insiders Nov 13, 2025 ![Qualcomm-image](https://s7d1.scene7.com/is/image/dmqualcommprod/Article-BTS-Ep6-HERO?$QC_Responsive$&fmt=png-alpha&wid=700) In our final episode of *Behind the Silicon* Season 2, we're setting our sights higher than ever, as host and tech journalist Lucy Hedges joins Snapdragon Insiders Harriet and Josh in the Aloha state. Episode 6, aptly titled “A Legendary Leap in Performance,” begins at the University of Hawai'i Maui College observatory, where astronomers are using laptops powered by Snapdragon® X Series to capture and process images of the cosmos in record time. From there, the team heads to Snapdragon Summit 2025, bringing you behind the scenes for the highly anticipated reveal of the Snapdragon X2 Elite compute platforms. It's a series finale that captures everything *Behind the Silicon* has been about: curiosity, innovation, and the Snapdragon Insiders community that's been with us every step of the way. **Watch below, or on [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JPXapsgi2E)!** **Behind the Silicon and into the stars** Hawai'i is known for its beauty, but for astronomers, it's also known as one of the best places on Earth to study the skies. At the University of Hawai'i Maui College observatory, astronomy expert J.D. Armstrong and lecturer Alex Meyer welcomed Lucy, Harriet, and Josh into their world. The team experienced firsthand how laptops powered by the Snapdragon X Series enable astronomers to accurately locate Saturn and precisely align telescopes, capturing breathtakingly detailed images of the planet's famous rings. ![Qualcomm-image](https://s7d1.scene7.com/is/image/dmqualcommprod/Article-BTS-Ep6-01?$QC_Responsive$&fmt=png-alpha&wid=700) Lucy, Harriet, and Josh also saw how students are creating breathtaking images of distant nebulae by processing dozens — and sometimes hundreds — of exposures. **That process used to take up to 10 minutes, but with Snapdragon technology, it now takes just 30 seconds.** This kind of speed and powerful multitasking ability allows the students to explore deeper into the cosmos than ever before. "Seeing how laptops powered by Snapdragon are able to handle everything shows how far we've come. I can only imagine how much further we'll be able to go." - Josh ![Qualcomm-image](https://s7d1.scene7.com/is/image/dmqualcommprod/Article-BTS-Ep6-02?$QC_Responsive$&fmt=png-alpha) The next day, focus shifted from the cosmos to the cutting edge at Snapdragon Summit 2025. Joined by Snapdragon Insiders from around the world, Lucy, Josh and Harriet witnessed one of the event's biggest moments: the reveal of the Snapdragon X2 Elite PC processors. ![Qualcomm-image](https://s7d1.scene7.com/is/image/dmqualcommprod/Article-BTS-Ep6-03?$QC_Responsive$&fmt=png-alpha) For Harriet, the potential for on-device AI was one of the big standouts of the announcement. “With Snapdragon X2 Elite being up to 80 TOPS, it's really exciting to see what AI experiences could be unlocked,” she said. Josh agreed and lit up at the thought of editing content or producing music without compromising. “What really stood out to me is the fact that photo and video editing is going to get a lot better,” he said. “Being a content creator, that's huge. I'm also a musician. So, recording music using these laptops in a live setting, the way it's going to handle all that, it's just amazing.” The Snapdragon X2 Elite platforms announcement was more than a product launch; they were the start of a new era for creators, developers, and dreamers alike. ![Qualcomm-image](https://s7d1.scene7.com/is/image/dmqualcommprod/Article-BTS-Ep6-04?$QC_Responsive$&fmt=png-alpha) From snowy mountain tops to cutting‑edge labs, *Behind the Silicon* has been an unforgettable ride. And while this finale marks the end of the series, it's also the beginning of what's next. Whether you've been with us since [Episode 1](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjVC3ZSB1kOnf2HNJo1daK07XnY0Sspo4) or have more recently joined the journey, thank you for being part of the Snapdragon Insiders community. Relive the adventure with the full [Season 2 playlist](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjVC3ZSB1kOne2YCycOBCB3i6GDLutDeu&si=es6HDenPWDMuIhjG) on YouTube — and stay tuned for the next chapter in redefining what's possible. When commenting in the Snapdragon Insiders forums, please follow our terms of use found [here](https://www.qualcomm.com/site/terms-of-use). Qualcomm Snapdragon is a product of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. By participating in the Snapdragon Insider Program, you grant Qualcomm and its affiliates a royalty-free, perpetual, non-exclusive, unrestricted, worldwide license to: (i) post, use, copy, sublicense, adapt, transmit, publicly perform or display any ideas, suggestions, opinions, or feedback (collectively, “Feedback”), (ii) use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, create derivative works from, distribute, perform, play, host, communicate, make available and publish your Feedback without restriction, (iii) make, use, sell, offer for sale, and import products implementing any invention or functionality reflected in your Feedback, and (iv) sublicense to third parties the unrestricted right to exercise any of the foregoing rights granted with respect to the Feedback. The foregoing grants shall include the right to exploit any ideas, concepts, intellectual property, or proprietary rights in such Feedback, including but not limited to rights under copyright, trademark, servicemark or patent laws under any relevant jurisdiction without Qualcomm or its affiliates owing any monies to you whatsoever. ## Related Articles - [The Top Snapdragon Summit 2026 Moments Everyone's Talking About](https://www.qualcomm.com/snapdragon/news/the-top-snapdragon-summit-2026-moments-everyone-s-talking-about) Snapdragon Insiders — Sep 30, 2026 [Compute](https://www.qualcomm.com/snapdragon/news?tags=Compute) | [Snapdragon Summit](https://www.qualcomm.com/snapdragon/news?tags=Snapdragon%20Summit) | [Mobile](https://www.qualcomm.com/snapdragon/news?tags=Mobile) - [The New Mobile & Sound Platforms Just Announced at Snapdragon Summit 2026](https://www.qualcomm.com/snapdragon/news/the-new-mobile---sound-platforms-just-announced-at-snapdragon-su) Snapdragon Insiders — Sep 24, 2026 [Mobile](https://www.qualcomm.com/snapdragon/news?tags=Mobile) | [Snapdragon Sound](https://www.qualcomm.com/snapdragon/news?tags=Snapdragon%20Sound) | [Personal AI](https://www.qualcomm.com/snapdragon/news?tags=Personal%20AI) - [(UK) Snapdragon Insider's recommendation: What should students look for in a university laptop in 2026?](https://www.qualcomm.com/snapdragon/news/-uk--snapdragon-insider-s-recommendation--what-should-students-l) Snapdragon Insiders — Sep 22, 2026 [Snapdragon](https://www.qualcomm.com/snapdragon/news?tags=Snapdragon) | [Compute](https://www.qualcomm.com/snapdragon/news?tags=Compute) | [Snapdragon X Elite](https://www.qualcomm.com/snapdragon/news?tags=Snapdragon%20X%20Elite) - [Snapdragon Power Meets Gemini Intelligence: Introducing Googlebook](https://www.qualcomm.com/snapdragon/news/snapdragon-power-meets-gemini-intelligence--introducing-googlebo) Snapdragon Insiders — Sep 21, 2026 [Compute](https://www.qualcomm.com/snapdragon/news?tags=Compute) - [How the Nothing Phone (4a) Series and Snapdragon Are Enhancing Mobile Photography](https://www.qualcomm.com/snapdragon/news/how-the-nothing-phone--4a--series-and-snapdragon-are-enhancing-m) Snapdragon Insiders — Sep 8, 2026 [Photography](https://www.qualcomm.com/snapdragon/news?tags=Photography) | [Mobile](https://www.qualcomm.com/snapdragon/news?tags=Mobile) ![](https://s7d1.scene7.com/is/image/dmqualcommprod/Discord_logo?$QC_Responsive$&fmt=png-alpha) ## Join the conversation on Discord. Do you have thoughts about this article? Join the conversation with fellow Snapdragon Insiders on Discord. Our Discord is the virtual lounge to talk shop about technology, Snapdragon events, and more with the community. [Join Discord](https://discord.com/invite/x9K8sqGAvj)