Qualcomm is gradually becoming less dependent on Apple. Rising demand for high-end Android smartphones is now driving most of the company’s chip business, according to a new DigiTimes report.
In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025, Qualcomm’s semiconductor division, Qualcomm CDMA Technologies (QCT), recorded strong year-over-year growth. The increase came mainly from Android device sales and higher chip content per device. Company President and CEO Cristiano Amon said that non-Apple QCT revenue grew 18% during the quarter.
The global smartphone market is shifting toward more advanced and feature-rich models. Users in both developed and emerging regions are upgrading to premium devices, which has increased average selling prices and boosted demand for Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processors. These chips now include stronger AI, camera, and connectivity features. Qualcomm’s approach of adding more value to each device has become central to its long-term growth plan, helping it depend less on Apple.
Samsung Partnership Strengthens Qualcomm’s Position
Amon also highlighted Qualcomm’s closer relationship with Samsung. He said the company now supplies modems for about 75% of Samsung’s Galaxy smartphones, up from around half a few years ago. Some devices, like the Galaxy S25 series, use Snapdragon modems exclusively. This partnership has been an important factor in Qualcomm’s recent growth.
At the same time, Apple is preparing to reduce its reliance on Qualcomm. Since acquiring Intel’s smartphone modem division in 2019, Apple has been developing its own 5G modems. The latest iPhone 16e, iPhone Air, and iPad Pro models now feature Apple’s custom C1-series modems instead of Qualcomm’s chips.
Qualcomm has said it will continue supplying modems to Apple through 2026, but that relationship is expected to fade as Apple’s in-house modems expand across its product lineup. For Qualcomm, the shift marks a major change in strategy, one that leans more on Android partners like Samsung than on Apple’s future orders.
