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Qualcomm’s double-digit chip price hikes start September 1
Qualcomm will raise chip prices by double digits on September 1 as supplier costs climb and Apple reduces its modem dependence.
Image: MacRumors
Qualcomm will raise prices across its chip lineup by double-digit percentages starting September 1, 2026, passing higher supplier costs on to customers as Apple develops its own modem designs.
The company notified customers in July that chips shipped after September 1 would cost more. The increases will be negotiated with customers individually, so Qualcomm has not published a single percentage or a standard price list. The effect on phones, cars and other devices will depend on each contract and product configuration.
“We’re just passing through big cost increases that we have.”
Amon said Qualcomm can no longer absorb the higher costs from its suppliers. DRAM and storage prices have also risen because of supply constraints, putting pressure on device makers. Apple raised prices for Macs and iPads in June, while the iPhone 18 Pro models are expected to cost more than their predecessors.
What changes for Apple’s modem supply
The price increase arrives while Apple reduces its reliance on Qualcomm. Apple’s iPhone 17 models still use Qualcomm modem chips, but the iPhone 17e and iPhone Air use Apple’s C1X modem. Some iPhone 18 Pro models and Apple’s foldable iPhone are rumored to use a faster Apple-designed C2 modem.
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Apple may nevertheless continue using Qualcomm modems in the United States. Leaked iPhone 18 Pro documents from Tata Electronics reportedly point to continued Qualcomm supply for some US models, but the supplied reporting does not establish which configurations would use Qualcomm hardware or how the pricing negotiations would affect those devices.
Qualcomm expects its revenue from Apple to decline faster than previously forecast. In July, Amon said revenue from Apple was expected to fall by approximately 50% from the September quarter to the December quarter, with supply constraints reducing Qualcomm’s share of components in the iPhone 18 lineup.
| Date | Qualcomm pricing event |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | Customers were notified that prices would rise for chips shipped after September 1 |
| September 1, 2026 | Double-digit price increases begin for chips shipped from that date |
The company still supplies modem and other mobile chips to Samsung and other smartphone manufacturers, so the increase affects more than Apple’s modem transition. Qualcomm is also introducing new Snapdragon products for phones, vehicles and smaller devices. Our earlier coverage tracked the company’s teaser for two Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 chips, including a rumored 2nm Pro model expected in Samsung’s Galaxy S27 lineup.
The price will depend on the customer contract
Qualcomm has disclosed the direction of the change but not the percentage applied to any particular chip. Because increases will be negotiated individually, device makers could face different costs for the same broad category of component, and the reporting does not show whether manufacturers will absorb those costs or pass them through in retail pricing.
For Apple, the timing has two effects: Qualcomm components used in current iPhone 17 models become more expensive, while Apple’s own modem rollout reduces the amount of Qualcomm hardware in future iPhones. The company’s forecast of an approximately 50% sequential decline in Apple revenue indicates that the second factor may matter more to Qualcomm’s near-term results than the price increase itself.
Qualcomm’s September 1 deadline is clear. The prices that US buyers will ultimately see are not.
Frequently asked questions
When do Qualcomm’s chip price increases start?+
The increases apply to Qualcomm chips shipped after September 1, 2026.
How much more will Qualcomm chips cost?+
Qualcomm has described the increase as double-digit, but it has not published one percentage. Pricing will be negotiated with customers individually.
Will iPhone 18 models use Qualcomm modems?+
Some iPhone 18 Pro models may use Apple’s C2 modem, but Apple may continue using Qualcomm modems in the United States. Exact configurations are not established.
Enterprise Editor
Marcus follows the money. He covers enterprise software, cloud architecture, and the tectonic shifts in Big Tech strategy. He translates dense earnings calls and complex M&A activity into actionable insights about where the industry is actually heading. If a tech giant makes a silent pivot, Marcus is usually the first to notice.
