Discord has finally ceased to regard Snapdragon Windows laptops as inferior PCs.
Snapdragon Windows laptops have received a long-awaited update for Discord.
Windows users on the ARM platform are finally benefiting from an update from Discord. The company is introducing a dedicated version specifically for Windows on ARM, which should have been implemented from the beginning.
Discord is now available natively on ARM-based laptops, and the official download page now features distinct downloads for Windows x64 and ARM64 for the desktop app. Consequently, laptops powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon chips, including the latest Copilot+ PCs, will no longer need to rely on the standard Windows app running via emulation.
Why is this great news for Discord users?
While a native Discord application may not seem as exciting as a new feature, its importance lies in enhancing overall performance. Many users keep Discord open throughout the day for gaming, voice calls, group chats, and community interactions. If the app doesn't perform well, it can negatively affect the entire experience. Until recently, the emulated version of Discord on ARM platforms often performed poorly, being sluggish or even freezing. This led Discord to finally develop an ARM64 version of its widely used cross-platform VoIP app.
The significance of native ARM support
Discord is finally launching a native client for Windows on ARM! The x86 version performed poorly on my @Snapdragon X Elite PC, which forced me to use the unofficial Legcord client. I'm pleased to see Discord adding support for ARM PCs, even if it's currently only in the Canary build. pic.twitter.com/pvpnekbfvh— Mishaal Rahman (@MishaalRahman) June 5, 2025
Windows on ARM can run many regular x86 and x64 Windows applications through emulation, and Microsoft’s Prism emulator has seen significant improvements. However, Microsoft developers have made it clear that emulation cannot match the performance and battery efficiency of applications designed natively for ARM.
Therefore, we can anticipate enhancements not only in responsiveness but also in background efficiency and battery consumption, which is crucial for an app frequently running in the background. This update also adds another credibility boost for Snapdragon Windows laptops at a time when Microsoft and Qualcomm are working to persuade consumers that ARM PCs are no longer a compromised choice.
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Discord has finally ceased to regard Snapdragon Windows laptops as inferior PCs.
Discord has introduced a native ARM64 Windows application, providing a more efficient method for Qualcomm-powered Windows on Arm laptops to use the chat app without relying on emulation.
