Full Breakdown
Qualcomm Plans Global Layoffs to Build “Stronger Performance Culture”
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
Qualcomm announced that it will begin notifying employees of job cuts in November. The reductions follow the company’s annual performance reviews and are described by CEO Cristiano Amon as a “performance-focused reduction” aimed at aligning staff with business priorities, organisational needs, and required skills. The memo did not disclose the number of positions to be eliminated.
Background & Context
The chipmaker, one of the world’s largest smartphone chipset producers, has faced a slowdown in consumer-electronics sales this year as rising memory prices dampened demand in key markets. In its earnings report released in late July, Qualcomm forecast quarterly profit below analyst estimates and warned that revenue from Apple products would decline faster than expected. Management signaled that growth in data-center and other non-handset businesses is expected to offset the shortfall by fiscal 2027.
Data & Statistics
- Approximately 52,000 employees worldwide as of September 2025, the majority full-time.
- Qualcomm’s share price has risen only about 1.5 % in 2026, lagging the S&P 500’s 12 % gain and the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index’s near-60 % increase.
- No specific figure for the layoff count has been provided.
Official Statements & Responses
He emphasized that as the business expands, the competencies and skills required also evolve, and that the cuts will be based on business priorities, organisational needs, and employee expertise.
Verbatim Quotes
- “As we have expanded the business, so have the competencies and skills we require,” — Critiano Amon, qualcomm CEO — Critiano Amon, Qualcomm CEO
The announced layoffs represent Qualcomm’s effort to reshape its workforce amid a shifting market landscape, prioritizing performance and skill alignment while seeking growth in AI-driven data-center segments.