Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies Update (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 28, 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 months ended December 28, 2025 and December 29, 2024 included 13 weeks. Our fiscal year for 2026 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

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 for our annual periods starting in fiscal 2026, which can be applied on a retrospective or prospective 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, primarily 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. Our operating segments reflect the way our businesses and management/reporting structure are organized internally and the way our Chief Operating Decision Maker (CODM), who is our CEO, reviews financial information, makes operating decisions and assesses business performance. We also consider, among other items, the way budgets and forecasts are prepared and reviewed and the basis on which executive compensation is determined, as well as the similarities and the level of centralized resource planning within our operating segments, such as the nature of products, the level of shared products, technology and other resources, production processes and customer base.

Segment Reporting EBT Policy

Our CODM uses revenues and earnings (loss) before income taxes (EBT) to evaluate performance and allocate resources for our segments primarily through our budget and forecasting process. Our CODM primarily uses these metrics by comparing actual results to forecasted and prior period results. Segment EBT includes the allocation of certain corporate expenses to the segments, including depreciation and amortization expense (as presented on the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows, the majority of which is allocated to QCT). Certain income and charges are not allocated to segments in our management reports because they are not considered in evaluating the segments’ operating performance. Unallocated income and charges include certain interest expense, certain net investment income, share-based compensation, gains and losses on our deferred compensation plan liabilities and related assets, certain research and development (R&D) expenses, certain selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses and other expenses or income that were deemed to be not directly related to the businesses of the segments. Additionally, unallocated charges include amortization of certain intangible assets and certain other acquisition-related charges, third-party acquisition and integration services costs and certain other items, which may include major restructuring and restructuring-related costs, asset impairment charges and awards, settlements and/or damages arising from legal or regulatory matters and recognition of the step-up of inventories and property, plant and equipment to fair value. Our CODM does not evaluate our operating segments using discrete asset information.