Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies Update (Policies)

6 Months Ended

Mar. 30, 2025

Basis of Presentation [Abstract]

Fiscal Period, Policy

We operate and report using a 52-53 week fiscal year ending on the last Sunday in September. Each of the three and six months ended March 30, 2025 and March 24, 2024 included 13 weeks and 26 weeks, respectively. Our fiscal year for 2025 will include 52 weeks.

Use of Estimates, Policy

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and the disclosure of contingent amounts in our condensed consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements, Policy

Segment Reporting Disclosures: In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued new requirements to disclose certain incremental segment information on an annual and interim basis, including (among other items) additional disclosure about significant segment expenses. We will adopt the new requirements for our annual periods starting in fiscal 2025 (and interim periods thereafter) on a retrospective basis.

Income Tax Disclosures: In December 2023, the FASB issued new requirements to disclose annually certain additional detailed income tax information related to the effective tax rate reconciliation and income taxes paid, among other items. We will adopt the new requirements starting in fiscal 2026 on a retrospective basis.

Income Statement - Expense Disaggregation Disclosures: In November 2024, the FASB issued new requirements to disclose certain additional expense information on an annual and interim basis, including (among other items) the amounts of purchases of inventory, employee compensation, depreciation and intangible asset amortization included within each income statement expense caption, as applicable. We will adopt the new requirements for our annual periods starting in fiscal 2028 (and interim periods thereafter) on a prospective basis.

Revenue Recognition, Policy

We disaggregate our revenues by segment (Note 6), by products and services (as presented on our condensed consolidated statements of operations), and for our QCT (Qualcomm CDMA Technologies) segment, by revenue stream, which is based on the industry and application in which our products are sold (as presented below). In certain cases, the determination of QCT revenues by industry and application requires the use of certain assumptions. Substantially all of QCT’s revenues consist of equipment revenues that are recognized at a point in time, and substantially all of QTL’s (Qualcomm Technology Licensing) revenues represent licensing revenues that are recognized over time and are principally from royalties generated through our licensees’ sales of mobile handsets.

Earnings Per Common Share, Policy

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the reporting period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the combination of the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding and the weighted-average number of dilutive common share equivalents, comprised of shares issuable under our share-based compensation plans, during the reporting period, using the treasury stock method.

Segment Reporting, Policy

We are organized on the basis of products and services and have three reportable segments.