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    Qualcomm
    Semiconductors, Telecommunications

    Qualcomm

    United States flagUnited States

    "Inventing the technology that connects the world"

    Founded July 1, 1985 San Diego, California, United States CEO: Cristiano R. Amon
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    About

    Qualcomm is an American multinational semiconductor and telecommunications equipment company headquartered in San Diego, California. Founded in 1985 by Irwin M. Jacobs, Andrew Viterbi, and five other former Linkabit employees, the company pioneered Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) technology, which became the foundation for 2G digital cellular networks and spawned a lucrative patent licensing business.

    Operating as a fabless semiconductor company, Qualcomm designs chips but outsources manufacturing. Its Snapdragon processor line powers the majority of flagship Android smartphones globally. Beyond mobile, Qualcomm has expanded into automotive (Snapdragon Digital Chassis), IoT, edge computing (Dragonwing), and AI PCs. Under CEO Cristiano Amon, who took over in 2021, the company acquired NUVIA for custom CPU cores and Arriver for automotive software, signaling a strategic push beyond smartphones.

    Qualcomm holds essential patents for 5G, 4G, CDMA2000, TD-SCDMA, and WCDMA standards. Its licensing division (QTL) generates substantial revenue but has also drawn antitrust scrutiny and lawsuits, including a high-profile dispute with Apple. In fiscal 2025, Qualcomm reported $44.28 billion in revenue and employs about 50,000 people across 30 countries.

    Products & Sub-brands

    Snapdragon processorsSnapdragon Digital ChassisDragonwingQualcomm AI EngineQualcomm 5G modemsQualcomm FastConnectQualcomm Adreno GPUQualcomm Hexagon DSP

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Who owns Qualcomm?
    Qualcomm is a publicly traded company on the NASDAQ under the ticker QCOM. It is owned by its shareholders, which include institutional investors, mutual funds, and individual retail investors. There is no single controlling owner.
    Who is the CEO of Qualcomm?
    The President and CEO of Qualcomm is Cristiano R. Amon. He took over the role from Steve Mollenkopf in June 2021, having previously served as the company's president.
    How much is Qualcomm worth?
    As of early 2025, Qualcomm's market capitalization is approximately $214.74 billion. This value fluctuates with stock price movements.
    Qualcomm vs. MediaTek: Which is better?
    Qualcomm's high-end Snapdragon chips typically offer superior performance, gaming, and camera processing, making them the preferred choice for flagship smartphones. MediaTek often provides better value and efficiency in mid-range and budget devices. The choice depends on the device tier and user priorities.
    Is Qualcomm still in business?
    Yes, Qualcomm is a thriving business. In fiscal year 2025, it reported over $44 billion in revenue and continues to be a dominant force in the semiconductor and telecommunications industries, with strong positions in 5G, AI, and automotive technology.

    Keywords

    QualcommSnapdragon5GCDMAsemiconductorfablessmobile processortelecommunicationsSan DiegoIrwin JacobsCristiano AmonQCOMwireless technologypatent licensingIoTautomotive

    Sources

    WikipediaQualcomm FY 2024 Annual ReportInvestopediaUmbrexUCSD Library

    Company Info

    Founded
    July 1, 1985
    Founder
    Irwin M. Jacobs, Andrew Viterbi, Franklin Antonio, Adelia Coffman, Andrew Cohen, Klein Gilhousen, Harvey White
    CEO
    Cristiano R. Amon
    Headquarters
    San Diego, California, United States
    Industry
    Semiconductors, Telecommunications
    Revenue
    44280000000
    Employees
    50000
    Revenue (FY 2025)
    $44.28 billion
    Stock Ticker
    NASDAQ: QCOM

    Official Website

    www.qualcomm.com

    Links

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