Key Highlights

  • Cuts from November: Qualcomm will begin global job cuts in November, according to a Reuters report citing a memo from CEO Cristiano Amon.
  • Performance link: The reductions are reportedly tied to employees who have consistently fallen short of expectations.
  • Numbers unclear: The company has not said how many of its around 52,000 employees will be affected.
  • Business pressure: Weaker demand for electronics, partly due to soaring memory prices, is weighing on the chipmaker.
  • New direction: Qualcomm expects data centre, automotive and other non-phone businesses to drive growth by fiscal 2027.

Chipmaker Qualcomm will begin cutting jobs across the world from November, according to a Reuters report citing a memo sent to staff on Monday by Chief Executive Officer Cristiano Amon. The reductions are reportedly linked to employee performance.

The company has not revealed how many people will lose their jobs. Qualcomm had around 52,000 employees globally as of September 2025, most of them full-time.

What the CEO’s Memo Says

In the memo, Amon said the company needs a “stronger performance culture” and must address cases where employees have “consistently fallen short of expectations”.

He explained that the company’s needs have changed as it has grown. “As we have expanded the business, so have the competencies and skills we require,” Amon said. “We must have the right people in the right roles so they can perform at their best and the company can continue to succeed,” he added.

Qualcomm said it will consider business priorities, organisational needs and employees’ skills and expertise while carrying out the cuts.

Why Qualcomm Is Cutting Now

The move comes at a challenging time. Demand for electronic products has weakened, partly because of soaring memory prices, which make devices more expensive to build and buy.

In its July earnings report, Qualcomm forecast quarterly profit below analysts’ estimates. It also warned that revenue from its Apple-related business would fall faster than expected, a major concern given how much the company has relied on smartphone chips.

A Shift Beyond Smartphones

Qualcomm is trying to reduce its dependence on phones. The company expects its data centre, automotive and other non-handset businesses to grow enough to more than offset losses by fiscal 2027. It has also said it expects most of its chip revenue to come from outside the smartphone market by then.

The company is pushing into high-growth areas such as AI-powered data centres and connected devices. The job cuts suggest it is reshaping its workforce to match these new priorities.

What It Means for India

Qualcomm runs major engineering and research centres in Indian cities such as Hyderabad and Bengaluru. It is not yet clear how many employees in India will be affected, but staff in the country will be watching closely as the cuts roll out.

Why It Matters

Qualcomm’s move reflects a wider shift in the tech industry. Instead of broad cost-cutting, more companies are framing layoffs around “performance” and changing skill needs, especially as AI reshapes business priorities. For workers, this means continuous upskilling is becoming more important than ever.

Market Reaction

Qualcomm shares fell 1.16 per cent in pre-market trading to $171.52 on the Nasdaq.

What Comes Next

With cuts set to begin in November, employees and investors will be looking for more details on the scale of the layoffs and which teams and regions will be hit.

With inputs from IANS.