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Qualcomm is now reportedly developing custom DRAM for smartphones with China's CXMT. - Apr 11, 2026 at 11:47am EDT In what might well turn out to be a watershed moment for the smartphone sphere at large as it continues to contend with a full-blown memory chip crisis, Qualcomm is now reportedly working with China's CXMT to develop custom mobile-centric memory solutions, hoping to ease the chronic bottlenecks that have nearly paralyzed the global mobile industry. Qualcomm and China's CXMT are now reportedly working together to create custom mobile-focused DRAM. Back in February, Qualcomm had conceded during its earnings call that while the "majority" of DRAM that goes with Qualcomm's SoCs is purchased directly by its customers, the chip designer was "among the first to be qualified with every memory provider." Fast forward just a couple of weeks, and JoongAng Ilbo has come forward with a bombshell: Qualcomm is directly working with China's CXMT, which specializes in producing DRAM, to develop custom memory chips for mobile phones. As most of its readers would know by now, the global mobile industry is currently contending with a chronic DRAM shortage as most of the associated fabrication capacity has been allocated towards producing the more lucrative High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) for AI-related workloads. What's more, as Wccftech Inc reported recently, these memory-led pricing pressures are hitting the entry-level and mid-tier smartphone segments particularly hard, especially given their limited pricing-related maneuverability. Consider the fact that DRAM costs now make up a whopping 35 percent of the Bill of Materials (BOM) of a given entry-level handset, while NAND costs add another 19 percent. Together, these two components now make up a whopping 54 percent of a budget smartphone's total cost. This comes as both MediaTek and Qualcomm appear to have slashed their production cadence for 4nm chips, which feature prominently in low and mid-tier smartphones. As such, this production curtailment currently equates to around 20,000 to 30,000 wafers, which corresponds to a volume of between 15 million and 20 million mobile chips. Against this backdrop, it makes sense for Qualcomm to try to develop custom memory solutions with CXMT to salvage its order cadence. Of course, most of these memory chips will likely only go into Chinese smartphones. About the author: Writing is my one incontrovertible passion. Over the past six years, he has authored over 2,200 distinct articles on financial and tech-related topics, spanning nearly 1 million words. And he has been a member of Wcctech mobile team since 2025. As an alumnus of the University of Toronto, Rotman Commerce Program, I bring nuance, in-depth knowledge, and a unique perspective to every topic that I cover. When I'm not writing, I'm traveling the world, exploring hidden confectionaries and restaurants as an aspiring food connoisseur. Follow Wccftech on Google to get more of its news coverage in your feeds.

Snap and Qualcomm team up for upcoming AR glasses release. Executive summary. Snap Inc. and Qualcomm have entered a long-term partnership to develop and launch consumer AR glasses. The new product, branded as 'Specs', is set to launch later this year. This collaboration highlights a significant commitment to advancing augmented reality technology, particularly through the integration of Qualcomm's Snapdragon chips. The partnership between Snap and Qualcomm signals an important development in the AR landscape, as both companies aim to push the boundaries of consumer technology. With Snap's new subsidiary, Specs Inc., focused solely on XR initiatives, the groundwork is being laid for innovative hardware and software solutions. This collaboration is not just about releasing a product; it's about establishing a robust ecosystem that supports AR experiences. Hardware innovations. As Snap moves forward with its AR glasses, the integration of Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors is expected to enhance performance and efficiency. These chips are known for their capabilities in handling advanced computing tasks, which are crucial for the interactive features that modern AR applications require. The Specs glasses promise to deliver a seamless user experience, combining high-quality visuals with responsive controls. Platform developments. Specifications about the platform that will support these AR glasses remain sparse, but it is anticipated that the user interface will be intuitive, catering to both tech-savvy users and newcomers. The development of a dedicated platform could enhance the overall functionality of the Specs glasses, allowing for a wide variety of applications ranging from gaming to productivity tools. The collaboration with Qualcomm may also ensure that the glasses are compatible with a broader range of devices, fostering an interconnected ecosystem. Market context and competition. The announcement of Specs aligns with a wider trend in the AR market, where several tech giants are vying for dominance. Companies like Apple and Meta are also investing heavily in AR technologies, which suggests that the competition will be fierce. However, Snap's focus on social and interactive experiences could give it a unique edge. By leveraging its existing user base and social media platforms, Snap can create AR experiences that resonate with users on a personal level. Enterprise applications. While the initial focus appears to be on consumer applications, there is significant potential for enterprise use cases as well. AR can transform training, remote collaboration, and customer engagement strategies, and Snap's partnership with Qualcomm may lead to tailored solutions for businesses. The ability to create immersive experiences could enhance productivity and innovation across various sectors. As Snap gears up for the launch of its Specs glasses, the implications of this partnership with Qualcomm extend beyond just hardware. It represents a strategic move to position itself at the forefront of the evolving AR market, catering to both consumers and enterprises alike. In conclusion, the collaboration between Snap and Qualcomm for the Specs AR glasses is a critical step towards more advanced and accessible augmented reality technology, setting the stage for future innovations in the space. Your friend in VR, Christopher aka UKRifter Hashtags: #AR #AugmentedReality #Snap #Qualcomm #SmartGlasses #TechPartnership #Specs #XR

Snap and Qualcomm team up for 'the future of Specs' - aiming to make smart glasses 'more human and grounded in the real world' The next step launches later this year Later this year, Snap is expected to finally release its next-generation Specs. The smart glasses feature Qualcomm's Snapdragon XR chipset platform. This week, Snap and Qualcomm announced that the two companies are continuing their partnership. "We believe the future of computing will be more human and grounded in the real world," said co-founder and CEO of Snap, Evan Spiegel, in a press release. Both companies seem to believe the future of smart glasses is making them more socially acceptable and merging AI and AR glasses. Article continues below Latest Videos From Tom's Guide Best Tech Gifts Under $100 0 seconds of 1 minute, 30 seconds Volume 0% Social acceptability. Snap went all out promoting Specs AR glasses at last year's Augmented World Expo (AWE). At the time, CEO Evan Spiegel promised that the new Specs would be smaller, lighter and much more wearable. Tomsguide has seen the Specs over several hands-on sessions - cramming XR smarts in a pair of glasses, but these aren't the sleek Meta Ray-Bans or even second monitors like the RayNeo Air 4 Pros. Right now, the Specs feature two Snapdragon chips that power everything the glasses do. The directed demos Tomsguide has seen have been fairly impressive and a hint at future where you see the world without a smartphone. Former VP of hardware Scott Myers was pretty open about the design during a conversation at AWE last year.