Qualcomm may be working on a new way to improve PC game emulation on Android. A Chinese YouTuber claims that the company is considering native DirectX 12 support for its Snapdragon chips. The change could make PC game emulation easier on Android devices. Current solutions often rely on translation layers to convert PC graphics APIs to mobile hardware.
The YouTuber tested the feature on a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 reference device. The setup reportedly ran Cyberpunk 2077 and Black Myth: Wukong in DirectX 12 mode. Both games were tested through a translation layer, which suggests that Qualcomm’s driver work improves compatibility. However, Qualcomm has not yet officially confirmed the feature.
It is also unclear whether the support will reach older Snapdragon SoCs. For now, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 seems to be the main platform involved in testing. There are also questions about future driver support for the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 and Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6. Smartphone manufacturers can ultimately decide how and when such updates reach users.
If Qualcomm moves forward with broader DirectX 12 support, Android could become a more capable platform for PC game emulation. More details are expected to emerge in the coming weeks and months.