Qualcomm Downgrades Revenue Forecast on Customer That Snubbed Snapdragon 810 for Its 'Flagship Device'

Qualcomm downgraded the second-half revenue outlook for its Qualcomm CDMA Technologies (QCT) by about $800 million, partly because its Snapdragon 810 processor “will not be in the upcoming design cycle of a large customer’s flagship device, impacting our outlook for both volume and content in that device,” CEO Steve Mollenkopf said Wednesday on an earnings call. Though Mollenkopf wouldn’t identify the customer, media reports said Samsung is the brand that snubbed using the Snapdragon 810 in its Galaxy S6 smartphone. Samsung didn’t comment. Despite the Snapdragon 810 setback with the unnamed large customer, “our design momentum for the Snapdragon 810 processor remains robust, with more than 60 products in the pipeline,” he said. “Snapdragon 810 is performing well and we look forward to a growing number of devices to be launched by our customers throughout the year.” In Q&A, Mollenkopf defended the Snapdragon 810 amid media reports that the device is prone to overheating. “Let me be very clear -- the device is working the way that we expected it to work and we have design traction that reflects that,” he said.