Qualcomm cuts 7–8% of staff after Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 overheating rumors

Qualcomm is laying off 7–8% of its roughly 52,000 employees as part of a push for a "stronger performance culture." The cuts followed Korean media reports of overheating in the Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6. Revenue for the first three quarters of 2026 was $18.9 billion, down from $20.8 billion a year earlier.

• Cuts affect 7–8% of Qualcomm's roughly 52,000 employees
• First three quarters of 2026 revenue: $18.9B vs $20.8B in 2025
• Overheating rumors about Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 emerged days before the layoffs
• Qualcomm did not disclose the exact number of affected staff