The portion of loans outstanding at period end for which one lender can demand prepayment.

Name:	qcom_AmountOfLoanSubjectToPrepaymentDemand
Namespace Prefix:	qcom
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The total remaining capital lease asset. As a result of the restructuring plan, the Company does not intend to renew its existing cell site capital leases. Unless the Company is able to terminate the lease at an earlier date, at the end of the current contractual lease term for each capital lease, the remaining lease obligation and the related asset will be written off.

+ Details

Name:	qcom_CapitalLeasesRemainingLeaseAsset
Namespace Prefix:	qcom
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The total remaining capital lease obligation. As a result of the restructuring plan, the Company does not intend to renew its existing cell site capital leases. Unless the Company is able to terminate the lease at an earlier date, at the end of the current contractual lease term for each capital lease, the remaining lease obligation and the related asset will be written off.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	qcom
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This element represents the carrying value of the liability related to the Broadcom settlement, which also approximated fair value.

+ Details

Name:	qcom_CarryingValueAndFairValueOfSettlementLiability
Namespace Prefix:	qcom
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The change recorded as a result of the fine levied by the Korea Fair Trade Commission.

+ Details

Name:	qcom_ChargeRecordedResultingFromKftcLeviedFine
Namespace Prefix:	qcom
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The settlement amount that Qualcomm agreed to pay Broadcom according to the Settlement and Patent License and Non-Assert Agreement with Broadcom.

+ Details

Name:	qcom_CompanySettlement
Namespace Prefix:	qcom
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The expiration date of patents on which an infringement lawsuit was filed, at which time the ITC orders will cease to be operative.

+ Details

Name:	qcom_ExpirationDateOfSubjectPatents
Namespace Prefix:	qcom
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This element represents the high range of the initial terms of capital leases.

+ Details

Name:	qcom_HighRangeOfInitialCapitalLeaseTerms
Namespace Prefix:	qcom
Data Type:	us-types:durationStringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the high range of the terms of noncancelable operating leases.

+ Details

Name:	qcom_HighRangeOfNoncancelableOperatingLeaseTerms
Namespace Prefix:	qcom
Data Type:	us-types:durationStringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	qcom_IndiaSpectrumAcquisitionAndRelatedDebtAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	qcom
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the interest rate spread. The Company refinanced the loans with new loan agreements that bear interest at an annual rate based on the highest base rate among the bank lenders, which is reset quarterly, plus this spread.

+ Details

Name:	qcom_InterestRateSpreadPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	qcom
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The remaining amount of the fixed and determinable portion of an unrecorded unconditional inventory purchase obligation on the second anniversary of the balance sheet date

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	qcom
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The remaining amount of the fixed and determinable portion of an unrecorded unconditional inventory purchase obligation on the first anniversary of the balance sheet date

+ Details

Name:	qcom_InventoryPurchaseCommitmentsForRemainderOfFiscalYear
Namespace Prefix:	qcom
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This element represents the period in which the lenders have the right to demand prepayment of their portion of the outstanding loans.

+ Details

Name:	qcom_LenderPrepaymentDemandPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	qcom
Data Type:	us-types:durationStringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	qcom_LitigationSettlementPatentLicenseAndOtherRelatedItemsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	qcom
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the low range of the initial terms of capital leases.

+ Details

Name:	qcom_LowRangeOfInitialCapitalLeaseTerms
Namespace Prefix:	qcom
Data Type:	us-types:durationStringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the low range of the terms of noncancelable operating leases.

+ Details

Name:	qcom_LowRangeOfNoncancelableOperatingLeaseTerms
Namespace Prefix:	qcom
Data Type:	us-types:durationStringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the maximum number of capital lease renewal options.

+ Details

Name:	qcom_MaximumNumberOfCapitalLeaseRenewalOptions
Namespace Prefix:	qcom
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The element represents the paid portion of the Broadcom settlement.

+ Details

Name:	qcom_PaidPortionOfCompanySettlement
Namespace Prefix:	qcom
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This element represents the expense recognized by the entity related to the settlement Broadcom.

+ Details

Name:	qcom_PretaxChargeOfCompanySettlement
Namespace Prefix:	qcom
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The effective interest rate at the end of the reporting period.

+ Details

Name:	qcom_RefinancedLoansInterestRatePercentage
Namespace Prefix:	qcom
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This element represents the period during which the loans are payable in full.

+ Details

Name:	qcom_RefinancedLoansPaymentDate
Namespace Prefix:	qcom
Data Type:	us-types:dateStringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Carrying amount at the balance sheet date of borrowings, due on demand within one year with a maturity of two years from the date of borrowing.

+ Details

Name:	qcom_ShortTermRefinancedLoansPayable
Namespace Prefix:	qcom
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The remaining amount of the fixed and determinable portion of an unrecorded unconditional purchase obligation on the fifth anniversary of the balance sheet date.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	qcom
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of cash paid for interest during the period.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 29

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Rental expense incurred for leased assets including furniture and equipment which has not been recognized in costs and expenses applicable to sales and revenues; for example, cost of goods sold or other operating costs and expenses.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
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Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

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Period Type:	duration

- Details

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Description of the terms of a settlement agreement which resolved the legal matter, including amount and timing of payment, and the nature of rights obtained or lost (such as patent, trademark, copyright, license and franchise rights).

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-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 9

-Subparagraph (a)

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-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

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-Subparagraph (a)

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Description of noncontrolling interest which might include background information, terms of the ownership arrangement, and type and terms of equity interest owned by the noncontrolling interest holders.

+ Details

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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of an asset, typically cash, provided to a counterparty to provide certain assurance of performance by the entity pursuant to the terms of a written or oral agreement, such as a lease.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.8,17)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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Period Type:	instant

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Name:	us-gaap_UnconditionalPurchaseObligationsExcludingCapitalStockRedemptionsAbstract
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- Definition

The remaining amount of the fixed and determinable portion of an unrecorded unconditional purchase obligation to be paid in more than four and within five years from the balance sheet date.

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- Definition

The remaining amount of the fixed and determinable portion of an unrecorded unconditional purchase obligation to be paid within one year of the balance sheet date.

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- Definition

The remaining amount of the fixed and determinable portion of an unrecorded unconditional purchase obligation to be paid in more than three and within four years from the balance sheet date.

+ References

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- Definition

The remaining amount of the fixed and determinable portion of an unrecorded unconditional purchase obligation to be paid in more than one and within two years from the balance sheet date.

+ References

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The remaining amount of the fixed and determinable portion of an unrecorded unconditional purchase obligation to be paid in more than two and within three years from the balance sheet date.

+ References

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Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 25, 2011	Sep. 26, 2010	Sep. 27, 2009	Apr. 26, 2009
Legal Proceedings [Abstract]
Expiration date of subject patents	Sep. 24, 2010
Advance payment deposit	$ 994,000,000	$ 1,100,000,000
Noncontrolling Interest, Description	two Indian companies each acquired 13% of each subsidiary
Charge recorded as a result of KFTC levied fine			230,000,000
Litigation Settlement, Patent License and Other Related Items [Abstract]
Broadcom settlement				891,000,000
Paid portion of Broadcom settlement	589,000,000
Last payment date of the remaining payments of the Broadcom settlement	April 2013
Pretax charge of Broadcom settlement			783,000,000
Carrying value and fair value of the settlement liability	294,000,000
Loans Payable Related to India BWA Spectrum [Abstract]
Interest rate spread percentage	0.25%
Refinanced loans interest rate percentage	10.00%
Refinanced loans payment date	December 2012
Lender prepayment demand period	12/15/2011
Amount of loan subject to prepayment demand	152,000,000
Carrying value of refinanced loans	994,000,000
Interest paid	94,000,000	15,000,000
Purchase Obligations [Abstract]
Unrecorded noncancelable obligations for fiscal 2012	1,900,000,000
Unrecorded noncancelable obligations for fiscal 2013	62,000,000
Unrecorded noncancelable obligations for fiscal 2014	40,000,000
Unrecorded noncancelable obligations for fiscal 2015	37,000,000
Unrecorded noncancelable obligations for fiscal 2016	27,000,000
Unrecorded noncancelable obligations thereafter	9,000,000
Inventory purchase commitments for fiscal 2012	1,400,000,000
Inventory purchase commitments for fiscal 2013	2,000,000
Leases [Abstract]
Low range of noncancelable operating lease terms	less than one year
High range of noncancelable operating lease terms	35 years
Rental expense	87,000,000	85,000,000	80,000,000
Low range of initial capital lease terms	5
High range of initial capital lease terms	7
Maximum number of capital lease renewal options	5
Total capital lease asset expected to be written off due to restructuring plan at the end of the contractual lease term	149,000,000
Total capital lease obligation expected to be written off due to restructuring plan at the end of the contractual lease term	$ 170,000,000