Qualcomm Announces Double-Digit Price Hikes for Smartphone Chips

Qualcomm Inc. informed customers that it will implement double-digit percentage price increases for smartphone chips on products shipped after September 1, 2026. The company stated in a letter to clients that it can no longer absorb rising supplier costs, despite efforts to secure alternative components from new sources.

The chipmaker attributed the price hike to a global semiconductor shortage and a specific lack of memory chips. This shortage has been exacerbated by heavy industry investment in AI infrastructure and the construction of data centers.

As a major customer of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. and a primary supplier to companies including Samsung Electronics, Xiaomi, and Meta Platforms, the move is expected to impact the broader tech industry. Qualcomm is scheduled to report its third-quarter financial results on July 29.