[Semiconductor_Fabless] Qualcomm : Beyond Mobile AP – Expanding into PC, Automotive, and Edge AI
[Posting: 2025.04.22]
The company Qualcomm, which became widely known in the early 2000s through the licensing of CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) technology, played a pivotal role in the mobile era by beginning to equip Android phones with its Snapdragon APs (Application Processor). Today, Qualcomm is expanding its market presence by replacing Intel Core processors in PCs with Snapdragon X Elite, and is also entering the fields of Edge AI and automotive applications.
It is currently the sole supplier of APs for the Galaxy S25 series, highlighting its strong position in the premium market. However, as Taiwan’s MediaTek is steadily capturing market share not only in the premium segment but also in the mid- and low-end markets, it remains to be seen whether Qualcomm has the technological capabilities to maintain its solid footing in the Android mobile space.
📊 [Semiconductor] Qualcomm Company Analysis – 2024 Earnings, Product Line, Foundry Partners, and Salary Breakdown
Qualcomm is a global leader in wireless technology and fabless semiconductor design, powering a wide range of industries such as mobile, automotive, IoT, and PCs. Best known for its Snapdragon processors, Qualcomm is also expanding into AI, edge computing, and autonomous vehicle solutions.
In this blog post, we provide a complete overview of Qualcomm’s background, 2024 financials, product lineup, foundry partnerships, key application areas, and employee compensation
✅ Qualcomm Overview and Company History
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1985 |
| Founders | Irwin Jacobs and 6 others |
| Headquarters | San Diego, California, USA |
| Core Business | Chipset design, wireless communication licensing |
| CEO | Cristiano Amon |
| Major Brands | Snapdragon, Adreno, Hexagon |
📈 Qualcomm 2024 Financial Performance
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $38.96 billion (YoY +9%) |
| Operating Income | $10.07 billion |
| Net Income | $10.14 billion |
| QCT (Chipset Division) | $33.2 billion |
| QTL (Licensing Division) | $5.7 billion |
💡 Source: Qualcomm FY2024 Report, Wikipedia
📦 Qualcomm Product Portfolio
Qualcomm provides specialized solutions for a wide variety of market segments:
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📱Mobile Chipsets: Snapdragon 8/6/4 series for smartphones and tablets
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💻PC Platforms: Snapdragon X Elite for Windows on ARM laptops
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🚗Automotive: Snapdragon Digital Chassis for ADAS and infotainment
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🌐IoT: Solutions for industrial, smart home, and medical devices
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🎧Audio & Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GNSS, and RF front-end solutions
🏭 Foundry Partners – Who Manufactures Qualcomm Chips?
Qualcomm does not own its own fabs but relies on world-class foundries:
| Foundry | Role / Process Node |
|---|---|
| TSMC | 4nm node for Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
| Samsung Foundry | 7nm EUV for selective mobile APs |
| GlobalFoundries | Produces mid-range and IoT chips |
| SMIC | Used for China-based localized chip production |
💡 References: TrendForce, Samsung Newsroom, Qualcomm Press
🎯 Key Application Areas
Qualcomm technologies are embedded across major industries:
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Smartphones – used by Samsung, Xiaomi, OPPO, and more
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Laptops/Tablets – Windows on Snapdragon-based devices
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Automotive – Digital cockpit and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS)
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Industrial IoT – Smart grids, automation, remote diagnostics
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Wearables – Smartwatches, fitness trackers
💼 Employee Compensation – How Much Do Qualcomm Employees Earn?
Qualcomm offers top-tier compensation, especially in the U.S.
| Role | Avg. Annual Salary (USD) |
|---|---|
| Software Engineer (Entry) | $126,000 |
| Software Engineer (Mid) | $193,000 |
| Software Engineer (Senior) | $254,000 |
| Hardware Engineer | $246,000 |
| Overall Average | Approx. $233,000 |
💡 Sources: levels.fyi, 6figr.com
🔎 Summary: What Kind of Company Is Qualcomm?
| Key Metrics | Description |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1985 |
| 2024 Revenue | $38.96B |
| Core Strengths | Mobile SoCs, automotive chips, AI at the edge |
| Key Foundry Partners | TSMC, Samsung, GlobalFoundries |
| Strategic Focus | AI, edge computing, automotive growth |
📌 Conclusion – Qualcomm Leading the Edge AI Era
Qualcomm is rapidly transforming from a mobile-focused company into a broader technology innovator. Through strategic partnerships with TSMC, Samsung, and others, and with its expansion into AI, automotive, and ARM-based PCs, Qualcomm is well-positioned to dominate the next generation of intelligent edge devices.
