Qualcomm to implement global job cuts starting in November

Qualcomm plans to conduct global workforce reductions following its annual employee performance reviews. According to an internal memo from CEO Cristiano Amon, the company will begin notifying affected employees in November 2026.

Amon described the move as a “performance-oriented reduction” intended to build a “stronger performance culture” and address areas where the company has “consistently fallen short of expectations.” The company has not disclosed the specific number of positions to be eliminated, noting that decisions will be based on business priorities, organizational needs, and individual expertise.

The restructuring comes as Qualcomm faces headwinds in the smartphone chip market, including rising memory prices and declining consumer electronics demand. The company also warned that revenue from Apple supplies is decreasing faster than previously anticipated. To offset these losses, Qualcomm is pivoting toward high-growth sectors such as AI-powered data centers, automotive technology, and the Internet of Things (IoT), expecting non-smartphone revenue to become its primary driver by fiscal year 2027.