Qualcomm Faces Legal Setback as Judge Allows Patent Lawsuit Over Snapdragon Chips to Proceed

Qualcomm is in legal trouble after a judge refused to dismiss a patent infringement lawsuit targeting its Snapdragon processors.

Collabo Innovations Inc., which acquired a patent from Panasonic, claims that Qualcomm’s chipsets violate that patent. The lawsuit focuses on a microcontroller chip that manages a device’s shutdown process. Qualcomm asked the court to throw out the case, but Judge Alan Albright ruled the request was premature.

The judge said that disagreements over technical terms, including “microcontroller,” need more examination before a dismissal can be considered.

If the court sides with Collabo, Qualcomm may be forced to pay a large settlement or royalties—or in a worst-case scenario, stop using the disputed chip design in its Snapdragon processors altogether.

This case could have major consequences. The Snapdragon 8 Elite, Qualcomm’s flagship chip, currently powers top devices like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. A ruling against Qualcomm could disrupt production and innovation across the smartphone industry.

Meanwhile, Qualcomm faces other setbacks. Apple and Samsung are slowly moving away from using Snapdragon chips. Samsung is focusing on its in-house Exynos processors, while Apple plans to reduce Qualcomm’s role in the iPhone 17 series.

Adding to the pressure, Qualcomm’s rumored plan to raise prices on future chips may drive even more customers away.

With a lawsuit looming and major clients shifting gears, Qualcomm’s dominance in mobile chips may soon face a serious challenge.