Samsung and Apple are both moving away from using Qualcomm chips in their phones. This marks a big change in the smartphone industry, as both companies look to cut costs by using their own components.
Qualcomm has long provided key parts for phones, especially modems and processors. But now, both Samsung and Apple think Qualcomm is too expensive. Making their own chips is cheaper in the long run, even if it means some early performance setbacks.
Samsung has relied on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chips for years. Some fans even preferred Snapdragon models over Samsung’s own Exynos chips. Recently, Samsung had to use Snapdragon chips in all Galaxy S25 models, costing the company $400 million.
Now, Samsung is working on a new Exynos 2600 chip and plans to use it in the Galaxy S26 in select markets.
Apple is also taking steps to replace Qualcomm. The new iPhone 16e uses Apple’s in-house C1 modem, and more models like the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air are expected to follow. Apple has been trying to build its own modem for years and is finally starting to succeed.
The main reason both companies want to leave Qualcomm is money. Qualcomm charges high fees for using its chips. Even though its products are strong, most users won’t notice much difference between Qualcomm chips and newer in-house options.
Qualcomm’s future in the phone market is now uncertain. While it’s still a major company, losing Apple and Samsung as customers could be a serious blow. Analysts say Qualcomm’s stock and revenue may face challenges in the coming years.
