Qualcomm

Apple is reportedly planning to equip every iPhone model released in 2027 with its own custom-designed modem chips, replacing the Qualcomm modems it currently relies on. The shift is part of Apple's long-running effort to bring more chip design in-house following its work on processors and wireless components.

A report claims Apple's entire 2027 iPhone lineup could ship without Qualcomm modem chips, as the company continues rolling out its own in-house modem, starting with the iPhone SE and extending across the range. However, Apple reportedly cannot fully break away from Qualcomm yet, since it still relies on the chipmaker for certain components, keeping the two tied together for now.

Qualcomm has announced an agreement to acquire PickNik, a robotics software company, in a move aimed at strengthening its AI-driven robotics capabilities. The deal signals Qualcomm's push to expand beyond mobile chips into robotics and edge AI. Details on the transaction's value and timing have not been widely reported yet.

Qualcomm is taking on Apple's latest chip in what is shaping up as a renewed battle over mobile and computing silicon. The week also brought news on Apple's front, including a fitness tracker, updated Macs and other product developments. The rivalry matters because Qualcomm's chips increasingly power Windows laptops that compete directly with Apple's Mac lineup, setting up a contest over performance and battery life claims.

Qualcomm has announced two new flagship smartphone chips: the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 and a new higher-tier 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6. The company describes both as flagships, with the differences between them relatively minor, mostly confined to improved AI processing, video capture and gaming performance.

Qualcomm has announced the Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2, a new audio platform that brings on-device AI processing to wireless earbuds and other audio wearables. The move signals Qualcomm's push to add smarter, locally processed features to audio devices rather than relying on cloud connectivity. Details beyond the announcement are limited so far, with tech outlets picking up the news as part of the latest wave of AI-focused gadget launches.