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Can Qualcomm's Advanced AI PC Processors Drive Long-Term Growth?

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Key Takeaways

  • QCOM expands PC market with Snapdragon X Elite/X Plus, built on advanced tech and Oryon cores.
  • Qualcomm's advanced chips cut power use, enabling thinner, lighter PCs with longer battery life.
  • QCOM NPUs power translation, assistants, and image generation as Dell, HP, Lenovo and Microsoft adopt.

Qualcomm Incorporated (QCOM - Free Report) is expanding its presence in the compute market through its Snapdragon X series processors, aiming to become a major player in artificial intelligence (AI)- powered computing. The company is utilizing its expertise in power-efficient processors and wireless connectivity to strengthen its position in personal computers.

Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite and Snapdragon X Plus processors are gaining traction for their ability to compete with traditional PC chips. Built on advanced technology and powered by its custom Oryon CPU cores, these processors deliver strong performance with lower power consumption, helping PC makers develop thinner, lighter and longer-lasting devices.

The company is also benefiting from the growing demand for AI PCs. Its processors include powerful Neural Processing Units (NPUs) that support features such as real-time translation, AI assistants, image generation and productivity tools. Major PC manufacturers like Dell Technologies, HP, Lenovo and Microsoft are using Snapdragon-powered chips in their latest devices.

As the global PC industry enters an AI-driven upgrade cycle, Qualcomm’s expansion into the compute arena could support long-term growth. Its focus on high-performance chips and advanced AI features may help improve its position in the evolving PC market.

How Are Competitors Advancing in the AI PC Market?

Qualcomm faces competition from Apple Inc. (AAPL - Free Report) and Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD - Free Report) . Apple is strengthening its AI PC business with the Apple Intelligence platform, which brings AI features to Mac devices. The company launched new Mac devices powered by M-series chips to support AI features such as real-time translation, writing tools and image generation. Apple is seeing rising demand for Mac Mini and Mac Studio devices for AI-related workloads and applications.

Advanced Micro is expanding its presence in the AI PC market through its Ryzen AI processors, which support AI features and on-device AI workloads. The company launched Ryzen AI 400 series chips with improved AI performance and better power efficiency for PCs and laptops. AMD is also working with PC makers like Lenovo, HP and Acer to launch more AI-powered PCs.

QCOM’s Price Performance, Valuation and Estimates

Qualcomm shares have gained 37.4% over the past year compared with the industry’s growth of 100.2%.

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Going by the price/earnings ratio, the company's shares currently trade at 18.76 forward earnings, lower than 34.6 for the industry.

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Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Earnings estimates for fiscal 2026 have declined 3.4% to $10.79 over the past 60 days, while those for fiscal 2027 have also decreased 6.3% to $10.79.

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Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Qualcomm currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

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