The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro and Gen 6 are rumored to be exclusively manufactured on TSMC's 2nm 'N2P' process, with no current talks of Samsung's involvement, although Qualcomm may consider Samsung if their samples meet expectations. The chips feature a new CPU cluster and are aimed at premium Android devices, with potential benefits from dual sourcing to reduce costs and improve margins.
Qualcomm is expanding its presence in the laptop processor market with the new Snapdragon X2 Plus chips, offering improved performance, power efficiency, and AI capabilities, aiming to challenge Intel and AMD despite currently holding less than 1% market share. The chips are based on a 3nm process, support high-speed memory, and are designed for budget and mainstream laptops, with Qualcomm emphasizing their multi-day battery life and AI features. While adoption is slow, Qualcomm's efforts to improve the Windows on Arm ecosystem and partnerships with app developers suggest a strategic push to grow its market share in the PC industry.
Qualcomm announced new Snapdragon X2 Elite and Plus chips for Windows laptops, with the first devices expected by the end of Q1 2026. The X2 Elite targets high performance, while the Plus offers a more budget-friendly option with significant CPU and power efficiency gains, supporting up to 128GB RAM and promising multi-day battery life. These chips aim to compete with Intel and AMD, with improved AI and gaming support, though gaming performance may be limited compared to high-end GPUs.
A survey of over 5,500 readers reveals that nearly half are interested in Qualcomm's new Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chip, which offers a balanced mix of features and affordability, with many users questioning the need for the highest-end chips in their phones, emphasizing value over raw performance.
Qualcomm's executive VP predicts a rapid increase in robotics and AI integration, starting with cars, as the company expands its AI capabilities and partnerships, aiming for widespread adoption of autonomous and driver-assisted technologies within the next five years.
Qualcomm is preparing its Snapdragon X Elite chips for future Android PCs, indicating a new wave of Android-powered machines with powerful hardware, potentially enhancing the desktop experience on ARM architecture, with further developments expected in 2026.
Microsoft is releasing Windows 11 version 26H1, which is focused on supporting upcoming specific silicon, likely Qualcomm's next-generation Snapdragon chips, with no major new features for general users. The update is available in the Windows Insider Canary channel and is part of Microsoft's annual release cycle, with the next major update (26H2) expected later in 2026. The release emphasizes platform support for new processors rather than feature enhancements.
Qualcomm expects to power approximately 75% of the Galaxy S26 devices in 2026, contradicting rumors that Samsung would primarily use its own Exynos 2600 chip for most models. Despite early reports favoring Exynos, Qualcomm's statement suggests it will still be a major supplier, with the final distribution likely to be clarified upon the Galaxy S26 launch in January.
Qualcomm reported strong Q4 earnings with $10.4B revenue driven by automotive and IoT growth, and announced strategic moves into AI data centers, PC ecosystems, and automotive, including the acquisition of Arduino to democratize AI development. Despite a GAAP loss due to tax charges, the company's fundamentals remain robust, with significant growth in automotive, IoT, and AI at the edge sectors, positioning it for continued expansion.
Qualcomm announced its financial results for Q4 and fiscal 2025, with details available on their investor relations website, and will host a conference call to discuss the results on November 5, 2025.
Qualcomm is expected to report strong Q4 earnings with a potential dividend-based income strategy where investors could earn $500 monthly by investing approximately $291,235 in the stock, which offers a 2.06% dividend yield. The article discusses how dividend yields fluctuate with stock price changes and highlights recent stock price movements amid market volatility following a Fed rate cut.
Qualcomm reported strong Q4 earnings with revenue and chip sales surpassing estimates, but its stock declined due to higher expenses, soft automotive chip outlook, and loss of Apple business, despite highlighting future AI chip revenue potential.
Qualcomm is rumored to develop two versions of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 chipset, with the 'Pro' variant expected to feature LPDDR6 RAM support and different GPU specifications, indicating a strategy of product differentiation similar to Apple's iPhone 15 series. The chip is anticipated to be built on TSMC's 2nm process and feature a new CPU cluster, but details remain uncertain as the information is based on rumors and unconfirmed leaks.
A rumor suggests that the upcoming Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 will share the same CPU cluster and lithography as the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 but with lower clock speeds and slightly inferior GPU, making it a more affordable yet still high-performance option for mid-range flagship smartphones in 2026.
Qualcomm has entered the AI chip race, causing its stock to jump over 11%, as it prepares to launch new AI chips (AI200 and AI250) in 2026 and 2027. While it may not surpass industry leaders Nvidia and AMD, its move into AI chips is seen as a significant and potentially profitable development, with Qualcomm positioned as a strong contender due to its power-efficient design and strategic investments. The market response suggests optimism about Qualcomm's future in AI, even as the company aims to carve out a substantial share in a competitive landscape.
