Qualcomm’s (QCOM) story has changed quite a bit. After years of volatility, the chipmaker has started to find its footing as new artificial intelligence (AI) opportunities, an Amazon (AMZN) data-center deal, and easing U.S.-China trade concerns have given investors more reason to look beyond its smartphone-heavy past. That shift has helped QCOM stock regain momentum this year, with shares putting together an impressive run and jumping 9% in a single trading session on Sept. 21. The surge came right before Snapdragon Summit 2026, which gave the rally another jolt.
At the summit, Qualcomm unveiled its new Snapdragon 8 Elite processors while also showcasing AI-powered technologies for wearables and next-generation audio devices. The company is also pushing deeper into physical AI with plans to acquire PickNik Robotics.