Qualcomm announces global performance-based layoffs as it pivots to AI data centers
Qualcomm told staff it will begin a worldwide performance‑focused reduction after its annual reviews, with notifications expected in November. CEO Cristiano Amon said the move targets employees who have consistently fallen short of expectations, but the memo did not disclose how many positions will be eliminated or which divisions are affected.
Key points
- Qualcomm plans global layoffs after performance reviews; no job count or departments disclosed, notifications start November.
- Company had about 52,000 staff end FY2025; Q3 2026 revenue down 4%, handset revenue down 20%, net income 25% lower.
- Recorded $97 million in severance-related restructuring charges while pivoting to AI200/AI250 accelerators for data‑center and edge markets.
The chipmaker ended fiscal 2025 with roughly 52,000 employees and reported a 4% year‑on‑year revenue decline and a 25% drop in net income for Q3 2026. Handset revenue fell 20% YoY. Qualcomm recorded $97 million in severance‑related restructuring charges in the first nine months of its fiscal year. The company is shifting emphasis to AI infrastructure, highlighting its AI200 and AI250 inference accelerators launched in October 2025 and aiming for data‑center and edge growth by fiscal 2027.
Qualcomm to cut jobs globally in "performance-based" layoffs, as company pivots to AI data center and edge computing markets
Tom's Hardware · 21 October 2026
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