QUALCOMM (QCOM) 10-Q 29 Jul 20 2020 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Cover Page

Cover Page - shares	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2020	Jul. 27, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	QUALCOMM INC/DE
Entity Central Index Key	0000804328
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--09-27
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Jun. 28, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	0-19528
Entity Registrant State of Incorporation	DE
Entity Employer ID	95-3685934
Entity Address	5775 Morehouse Dr.
Entity City	San Diego
Entity State	CA
Entity Zip Code	92121-1714
City Area Code	(858)
Entity Phone Number	587-1121
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.0001 par value
Trading Symbol	QCOM
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		1,128,265,865

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	Jun. 28, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 6,120	$ 11,839
Marketable securities	4,480	421
Accounts receivable, net	1,847	2,471
Inventories	2,343	1,400
Other current assets	768	634
Total current assets	15,558	16,765
Deferred tax assets	1,345	1,196
Property, plant and equipment, net	3,487	3,081
Goodwill	6,299	6,282
Other intangible assets, net	1,749	2,172
Other assets	3,890	3,461
Total assets	32,328	32,957
Current liabilities:
Trade accounts payable	2,046	1,368
Payroll and other benefits related liabilities	1,020	1,048
Unearned revenues	550	565
Short-term debt	500	2,496
Other current liabilities	3,798	3,458
Total current liabilities	7,914	8,935
Unearned revenues	864	1,160
Income taxes payable	1,872	2,088
Long-term debt	15,425	13,437
Other liabilities	2,947	2,428
Total liabilities	29,022	28,048
Commitments and contingencies (Note 6)
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 8 shares authorized; none outstanding	$ 0	$ 0
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.0001	$ 0.0001
Preferred stock, shares authorized	8	8
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock and paid-in capital, $0.0001 par value; 6,000 shares authorized; 1,128 and 1,145 shares issued and outstanding, respectively	$ 113	$ 343
Common stock, par value	$ 0.0001	$ 0.0001
Common stock, shares authorized	6,000	6,000
Common Stock, Shares, Issued	1,128	1,145
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding	1,128	1,145
Retained earnings	$ 3,081	$ 4,466
Accumulated other comprehensive income	112	100
Total stockholders’ equity	3,306	4,909
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 32,328	$ 32,957

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMEN

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 28, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Revenues:
Equipment and services	$ 3,794	$ 3,531	$ 11,376	$ 11,037
Licensing	1,099	6,104	3,809	8,422
Total revenues	4,893	9,635	15,185	19,459
Costs and expenses:
Cost of revenues	2,080	2,114	6,489	6,481
Research and development	1,520	1,380	4,393	3,957
Selling, general and administrative	511	547	1,523	1,646
Other	0	277	(23)	408
Total costs and expenses	4,111	4,318	12,382	12,492
Operating income	782	5,317	2,803	6,967
Interest expense	(143)	(160)	(436)	(477)
Investment and other income, net	229	344	46	377
Income before income taxes	868	5,501	2,413	6,867
Income tax expense	(23)	(3,352)	(175)	(2,987)
Net income	$ 845	$ 2,149	$ 2,238	$ 3,880
Basic earnings per share	$ 0.75	$ 1.77	$ 1.97	$ 3.20
Diluted earnings per share	$ 0.74	$ 1.75	$ 1.95	$ 3.17
Shares used in per share calculations:
Basic	1,127	1,217	1,137	1,214
Diluted	1,139	1,231	1,150	1,224

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEM_2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 28, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net Income	$ 845	$ 2,149	$ 2,238	$ 3,880
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Foreign currency translation gains (losses)	8	14	(5)	(27)
Net unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities	22	0	17	(6)
Net unrealized gains on derivative instruments	30	6	2	23
Other gains (losses)	0	4	7	(5)
Certain reclassifications included in net income	(3)	(2)	(9)	(4)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	57	22	12	(19)
Comprehensive income	$ 902	$ 2,171	$ 2,250	$ 3,861

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEM_3

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Operating Activities:
Net Income	$ 2,238	$ 3,880
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense	1,054	1,051
Income tax provision (less than) in excess of income tax payments	(459)	2,206
Non-cash portion of share-based compensation expense	899	698
Net gains on marketable securities and other investments	(269)	(340)
Indefinite and long-lived asset impairment charges	0	203
Impairment losses on other investments	349	111
Other items, net	(108)	(207)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net	622	1,451
Inventories	(938)	(95)
Other assets	(139)	15
Trade accounts payable	745	(267)
Payroll, benefits and other liabilities	277	(2,534)
Unearned revenues	(198)	(113)
Net cash provided by operating activities	4,073	6,059
Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	(1,059)	(570)
Purchases of debt and equity marketable securities	(4,848)	0
Proceeds from sales and maturities of debt and equity marketable securities	1,011	174
Acquisitions and other investments, net of cash acquired	(159)	(185)
Other items, net	130	112
Net cash used by investing activities	(4,925)	(469)
Financing Activities:
Proceeds from short-term debt	2,286	4,808
Repayment of short-term debt	(2,285)	(4,813)
Proceeds from long-term debt	1,989	0
Repayment of long-term debt	(2,000)	0
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	176	264
Repurchases and retirements of common stock	(2,450)	(1,088)
Dividends paid	(2,148)	(2,257)
Payments of tax withholdings related to vesting of share-based awards	(326)	(225)
Other items, net	(113)	(135)
Net cash used by financing activities	(4,871)	(3,446)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	4	2
Net (decrease) increase in total cash and cash equivalents	(5,719)	2,146
Total cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	11,839	11,777
Total cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 6,120	$ 13,923

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEM_4

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Millions	Total	Common Stock and Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Balance at beginning of period at Sep. 30, 2018	$ 807	$ 0	$ 542	$ 265
Common stock issued under employee benefit plans and the related tax benefits		262
Repurchases and retirements of common stock		(205)	(883)
Share-based compensation		749
Tax withholdings related to vesting of share-based payments		(225)
Cumulative effect of accounting changes			3,455	(51)
Net Income	3,880
Dividends			(2,307)
Other comprehensive income (loss)				(19)
Balance at end of period at Jun. 30, 2019	$ 5,463	581	4,687	195
Dividends per share announced	$ 1.86
Balance at beginning of period at Mar. 31, 2019	$ 3,866	384	3,309	173
Common stock issued under employee benefit plans and the related tax benefits		85
Repurchases and retirements of common stock		(69)	0
Share-based compensation		263
Tax withholdings related to vesting of share-based payments		(82)
Cumulative effect of accounting changes			0	0
Net Income	2,149
Dividends			(771)
Other comprehensive income (loss)				22
Balance at end of period at Jun. 30, 2019	$ 5,463	581	4,687	195
Dividends per share announced	$ 0.62
Balance at beginning of period at Sep. 29, 2019	$ 4,909	343	4,466	100
Common stock issued under employee benefit plans and the related tax benefits		171
Repurchases and retirements of common stock		(1,042)	(1,408)
Share-based compensation		967
Tax withholdings related to vesting of share-based payments		(326)
Cumulative effect of accounting changes			0	0
Net Income	2,238
Dividends			(2,215)
Other comprehensive income (loss)				12
Balance at end of period at Jun. 28, 2020	$ 3,306	113	3,081	112
Dividends per share announced	$ 1.89
Balance at beginning of period at Mar. 29, 2020	$ 3,045	0	2,990	55
Common stock issued under employee benefit plans and the related tax benefits		0
Repurchases and retirements of common stock		(110)	0
Share-based compensation		317
Tax withholdings related to vesting of share-based payments		(94)
Cumulative effect of accounting changes			0	0
Net Income	845
Dividends			(754)
Other comprehensive income (loss)				57
Balance at end of period at Jun. 28, 2020	$ 3,306	$ 113	$ 3,081	$ 112
Dividends per share announced	$ 0.65

Basis of Presentation and Signi

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies Update (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2020
Basis of Presentation [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies Update	Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies Update Financial Statement Preparation. These condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) for interim financial information and the instructions to Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, the interim financial information includes all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods. These condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited and should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended September 29, 2019. Operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of operating results for an entire fiscal year. We operate and report using a 52-53 week fiscal year ending on the last Sunday in September. Each of the three and nine months ended June 28, 2020 and June 30, 2019 included 13 weeks and 39 weeks, respectively. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and the disclosure of contingent amounts in our condensed consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. Recently Adopted Accounting Guidance. Leases: In February 2016, the FASB issued new accounting guidance related to leases (ASC 842) that outlines a new comprehensive lease accounting model and requires expanded disclosures. Under the new accounting guidance, we are required to recognize right-of-use assets and corresponding lease liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. We adopted ASC 842 in the first quarter of fiscal 2020 using the modified retrospective approach, with the cumulative effect of initial adoption recorded as an adjustment to our opening condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2019. We elected to not record leases with a term of 12 months or less on our consolidated balance sheet. In addition, we applied the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance, which among other things, does not require reassessment of lease classification upon adoption. Prior period results have not been restated and continue to be reported in accordance with the accounting guidance in effect for those periods (ASC 840). Upon adoption, we recorded $449 million of operating lease assets in other assets and $500 million of corresponding lease liabilities ($127 million recorded in other current liabilities and $373 million recorded in other liabilities). The difference between the operating lease assets and liabilities of $51 million primarily related to deferred rent liabilities that existed as of the date of adoption. Finance leases were not material for all periods presented. Adoption of the new accounting guidance did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated statements of operations or cash flows. Accounting Policy Update. Leases: As a result of the adoption of ASC 842, we revised our lease accounting policy beginning in fiscal 2020 as follows. Operating lease assets and liabilities are recognized for leases with lease terms greater than 12 months based on the present value of the future lease payments over the lease term at the commencement date. Operating leases are included in other assets, other current liabilities and other liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet. Our lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise such option. We account for substantially all lease and related non-lease components together as a single lease component. Operating lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Recent Accounting Guidance Not Yet Adopted. Financial Assets: In June 2016, the FASB issued new accounting guidance that changes the accounting for recognizing impairments of financial assets. Under the new accounting guidance, credit losses for financial assets held at amortized cost (such as accounts receivable) will be estimated based on expected losses rather than the current incurred loss impairment model. The new accounting guidance also eliminates the concept of other-than-temporary impairment and requires credit losses related to available-for-sale debt securities to be recorded through an allowance for credit losses rather than as a reduction in the amortized cost basis of the securities. These changes will result in earlier recognition of credit losses, if any. The new accounting guidance generally requires the modified retrospective transition method, with the cumulative effect of applying the new accounting guidance recognized as an adjustment to opening retained earnings in the year of adoption, except for certain financial assets where the prospective transition method is required, such as available-for-sale debt securities for which an other-than-temporary impairment has been recorded. We will adopt the new accounting guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2021, and the impact of this new accounting guidance will largely depend on the composition and credit quality of our investment portfolio and accounts receivable, as well as economic conditions, at the time of adoption.

Composition of Certain Financia

Composition of Certain Financial Statement Items (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2020
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]
Composition of Certain Financial Statement Items	Composition of Certain Financial Statement Items Accounts Receivable, net (in millions) June 28, September 29, Trade, net of allowances for doubtful accounts $ 928 $ 1,046 Unbilled 907 1,411 Other 12 14 $ 1,847 $ 2,471 Inventories (in millions) June 28, September 29, Raw materials $ 110 $ 77 Work-in-process 942 667 Finished goods 1,291 656 $ 2,343 $ 1,400 Equity Method and Non-marketable Equity Investments. The carrying values of our equity method and non-marketable equity investments are recorded in other noncurrent assets and were as follows (in millions): June 28, September 29, Equity method investments $ 213 $ 343 Non-marketable equity investments 750 787 $ 963 $ 1,130 Beginning in the second quarter of fiscal 2020, the rapid, global spread of the recent coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and associated containment and mitigation measures have negatively impacted the condition of economies and financial markets globally, which has negatively impacted certain companies in which we hold non-marketable equity investments, including those accounted for under the equity method and, to a lesser extent, non-marketable debt securities. In the second and third quarters of fiscal 2020, significant evaluation and judgments were required in determining if the negative effects of COVID-19 indicated that such investments were impaired, and if so, the extent of such impairment. This included, among other items: (i) assessing the business impacts that COVID-19 had, and we currently expect to have in the future, on our investees, including taking into consideration the investee’s industry and geographic location and the impact to its customers, suppliers and employees, as applicable, (ii) evaluating the investees’ ability to respond to the impacts of COVID-19, including any significant deterioration in the investee’s financial condition and cash flows, as well as assessing liquidity and/or going concern risks and (iii) considering any appreciation in fair value that has not been recognized in the carrying values of such investments. Based on this evaluation, certain of our investments were impaired and written down to their estimated fair values in th e second quarter of fiscal 2020 (a significant portion of which related to the full impairment of our investment in OneWeb (an equity method investee) who filed for bankruptcy in the second quarter of fiscal 2020) and, to a lesser extent, in the third quarter of fiscal 2020 (Note 8). Although w e believe that our judgments supporting our impairment assessments are reasonable (which rely on information reasonably available to us), the COVID-19 pandemic makes it challenging for us and our investees to estimate the future performance of our investees’ businesses. As circumstances change and/or new information becomes available, we may be required to record additional impairments in subsequent periods. Revenues. We disaggregate our revenues by segment (Note 7) and type of products and services (as presented on our condensed consolidated statement of operations), as we believe this best depicts how the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of our revenues and cash flows are affected by economic factors. Substantially all of QCT’s (Qualcomm CDMA Technologies) revenues consist of equipment revenues that are recognized at a point in time, and substantially all of QTL’s (Qualcomm Technology Licensing) revenues represent licensing revenues that are recognized over time. Revenues recognized from performance obligations satisfied (or partially satisfied) in previous periods were $141 million for the three months ended June 28, 2020, primarily related to certain QCT customer incentives and QTL royalty revenues recognized related to devices sold in prior periods (including adjustments to prior period royalty estimates, in part based on actual reporting of royalties by our licensees) and $258 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2019, primarily related to QTL royalty revenues recognized related to devices sold in prior periods (including adjustments to prior period royalty estimates, in part based on actual reporting of royalties by our licensees) and certain QCT customer incentives. Revenues recognized from performance obligations satisfied (or partially satisfied) in previous periods in the three and nine months ended June 30, 2019 were $4.8 billion and $4.1 billion, respectively, and primarily related to licensing revenues of $4.7 billion recognized in the third quarter of fiscal 2019 (a portion of which was attributable to the first and second quarters of fiscal 2019) resulting from the settlement with Apple and its contract manufacturers in April 2019 (Note 7). Unearned revenues (which are considered contract liabilities) consist primarily of license fees for intellectual property with continuing performance obligations. In the nine months ended June 28, 2020 and June 30, 2019, we recognized revenues of $424 million and $371 million, respectively, that were recorded as unearned revenues at September 29, 2019 and October 1, 2018, respectively. Remaining performance obligations, substantially all of which are included in unearned revenues, represent the aggregate amount of the transaction price of certain customer contracts yet to be recognized as revenues as of the end of the reporting period and exclude revenues related to (a) contracts that have an original expected duration of one year or less and (b) sales-based royalties (i.e., future royalty revenues) pursuant to our license agreements. Our remaining performance obligations are primarily comprised of certain customer contracts for which QTL received license fees upfront. At June 28, 2020, we had $1.4 billion of remaining performance obligations, of which $180 million, $511 million, $462 million, $209 million and $51 million was expected to be recognized as revenues for the remainder of fiscal 2020 and each of the subsequent four years from fiscal 2021 through 2024, respectively, and $26 million thereafter. Other Income, Costs and Expenses. Other income in the nine months ended June 28, 2020 consisted of a $23 million gain related to a favorable legal settlement. Other expenses in the three months ended June 30, 2019 consisted of a $275 million charge resulting from a fine imposed by the European Commission (EC) related to the Icera complaint (2019 EC fine) and negligible net charges related to our Cost Plan that concluded in fiscal 2019. Other expenses in the nine months ended June 30, 2019 included $275 million related to the 2019 EC fine, $207 million in net restructuring and restructuring-related charges related to our Cost Plan, partially offset by a $43 million gain due to the partial recovery of a fine imposed in 2009 resulting from our appeal of the KFTC decision and a $31 million gain related to a favorable legal settlement. Investment and Other Income, Net (in millions) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended June 28, June 30, June 28, June 30, Interest and dividend income $ 30 $ 80 $ 135 $ 224 Net gains on marketable securities 117 315 183 296 Net gains on other investments 48 6 84 47 Net gains on deferred compensation plan assets 57 12 16 10 Impairment losses on other investments (12) (42) (349) (111) Net gains (losses) on derivative investments 1 — 2 (10) Equity in net losses of investees (6) (22) (21) (79) Net losses on foreign currency transactions (6) (5) (4) — $ 229 $ 344 $ 46 $ 377 Net gains (losses) on the revaluation of our deferred compensation plan assets are recorded in investment and other income, net and are not allocated to our segments. Corresponding offsetting amounts related to the revaluation of our deferred compensation plan liabilities are included in unallocated operating expenses (Note 7).

Income Taxes (Notes)

Income Taxes (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2020
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Note 3. Income Taxes As of the third quarter of fiscal 2020, we estimated our annual effective income tax rate to be 9% for fiscal 2020, which excluded the effects of the agreements with Huawei signed in July 2020 (Note 10) and the U.S. Treasury Regulations that were issued in July 2020 as described below. Such estimated annual effective tax rate was lower than the U.S. federal statutory rate, primarily due to a significant portion of our income qualifying for preferential treatment as foreign-derived intangible income (FDII) at a 13% effective tax rate, benefits from our research and development tax credit and benefits from certain releases of our valuation allowance on capital losses. The effective tax rate of 3% for the third quarter of fiscal 2020 was lower than the estimated annual effective tax rate of 9% primarily due to benefits recorded in the third quarter of fiscal 2020, principally related to certain releases of our valuation allowance on capital losses, higher FDII deduction and foreign tax credit utilization. The effective tax rate for the third quarter of fiscal 2019 included a $2.5 billion tax expense due to the derecognition of a deferred tax asset as a result of an agreement with the Internal Revenue Service under which we forwent the federal tax basis step-up in certain distributed intellectual property. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, the United States Treasury Department issued final regulations on deductions for FDII. While we continue to evaluate the impact of these new regulations and the agreements reached with Huawei in July 2020, we currently expect our annual effective tax rate to increase from 9% to 11% for fiscal 2020. The United States Treasury Department is expected to finalize additional provisions of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, including certain foreign tax credit regulations, in the next several months. When finalized, these regulations may adversely affect our provision for income taxes, results of operations and/or cash flows. Unrecognized tax benefits were $1.9 billion and $1.7 billion at June 28, 2020 and September 29, 2019, respectively, and primarily related to our refund claim of Korean withholding tax. If successful, the refund will result in a corresponding reduction in U.S. foreign tax credits. We expect that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits at June 28, 2020 will increase in the next 12 months as licensees in Korea continue to withhold taxes on future payments due under their licensing agreements at a rate higher than we believe is owed; such increase is not expected to have a significant impact on our income tax provision.

Capital Stock (Notes)

Capital Stock (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2020
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Capital Stock	Capital Stock Stock Repurchase Program. On July 26, 2018, we announced a stock repurchase program authorizing us to repurchase up to $30 billion of our common stock. In the third quarter of fiscal 2020, t o maintain our financial liquidity position and flexibility, we suspended our stock repurchases, at least for the near-term, in light of COVID-19. In the nine months ended June 28, 2020 and June 30, 2019, we repurchased and retired 30.9 million and 17.7 million shares for $2.5 billion and $1.1 billion, respectively, before commissions. To reflect share repurchases in the consolidated balance sheet, we (i) reduce common stock for the par value of the shares, (ii) reduce paid-in capital for the amount in excess of par to zero during the quarter in which the shares are repurchased and (iii) record the residual amount, if any, to retained earnings. At June 28, 2020, $4.6 billion remained authorized for repurchase under our stock repurchase program. Dividends . On July 15, 2020, we announced a cash dividend of $0.65 per share on our common stock, payable on September 24, 2020 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on September 3, 2020. Earnings Per Common Share. Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the reporting period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the combination of the weighted-average number of dilutive common share equivalents, comprised of shares issuable under our share-based compensation plans and shares subject to accelerated share repurchase agreements, if any, and the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the reporting period. The following table provides information about the diluted earnings per share calculation (in millions): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended June 28, June 30, June 28, June 30, Dilutive common share equivalents included in diluted shares 11.9 13.9 12.9 9.3 Shares of common stock equivalents not included because the effect would be anti-dilutive or certain performance conditions were not satisfied at the end of the period 2.7 0.7 1.0 9.9

Debt (Notes)

Debt (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2020
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt Disclosure	Debt Long-term Debt. In May 2020, we issued unsecured fixed-rate notes, consisting of $1.2 billion fixed-rate 2.15% notes and $800 million fixed-rate 3.25% notes (May 2020 Notes) that mature on May 20, 2030 and May 20, 2050, respectively. The proceeds from the May 2020 Notes, net of underwriting discounts and offering expenses, were used to repay the $250 million floating-rate and $1.75 billion fixed-rate notes that matured on May 20, 2020, which were classified as short-term debt at September 29, 2019. We are not subject to any financial covenants under the May 2020 Notes nor any covenants that would prohibit us from incurring additional indebtedness ranking equal to the notes, paying dividends, issuing securities or repurchasing securities issued by us or our subsidiaries. The May 2020 Notes are senior unsecured obligations and rank equally with our other senior debt from time to time outstanding. We may redeem the outstanding fixed-rate notes at any time in whole, or from time to time in part, at specified make-whole premiums as defined in the applicable note. The following table provides a summary of our long-term debt: June 28, 2020 September 29, 2019 Maturities Amount Effective Rate Maturities Amount Effective Rate May 2015 Notes 2022 - 2045 $ 6,500 2.62% - 4.73% 2020 - 2045 $ 8,500 2.64% - 4.73% May 2017 Notes 2023 - 2047 7,000 1.55% - 4.46% 2023 - 2047 7,000 2.70% - 4.47% May 2020 Notes 2030 - 2050 2,000 2.31% - 3.30% — Total principal 15,500 15,500 Unamortized discount, including debt issuance costs (91) (75) Hedge accounting fair value adjustments 16 9 Total long-term debt $ 15,425 $ 15,434 Reported as: Short-term debt $ — $ 1,997 Long-term debt 15,425 13,437 Total $ 15,425 $ 15,434 At September 29, 2019, we had outstanding interest rate swaps with an aggregate notional amount of $1.8 billion related to certain of our May 2015 Notes. During the second quarter of fiscal 2020, we terminated interest rate swaps related to our fixed-rate 3.00% notes due May 20, 2022 resulting in a deferred gain of $19 million, which is being amortized to interest expense over the remaining term of such notes. During the third quarter of fiscal 2020, the remaining interest rate swaps on our fixed-rate 2.25% notes due May 20, 2020 terminated upon maturity of the notes. At June 28, 2020 and September 29, 2019, the aggregate fair value of our remaining outstanding principal floating- and fixed-rate notes, including the current portion of long-term debt, based on Level 2 inputs, was approximately $17.6 billion and $16.5 billion, respectively. Commercial Paper Program. In the third quarter of fiscal 2020, we reduced the total amount available for issuance under our unsecured commercial paper program from $5.0 billion to $4.5 billion. At June 28, 2020 and September 29, 2019, we had $500 million and $499 million, respectively, of outstanding commercial paper recorded as short-term debt. Revolving Credit Facility. We have an Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Facility (Revolving Credit Facility) that provides for unsecured revolving facility loans, swing line loans and letters of credit in an aggregate amount of up to $4.5 billion which expires on November 8, 2021. At June 28, 2020, no amounts were outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility.

Commitments and Contingencies (

Commitments and Contingencies (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2020
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies Legal and Regulatory Proceedings. Consolidated Securities Class Action Lawsuit: On January 23, 2017 and January 26, 2017, securities class action complaints were filed by purported stockholders of us in the United States District Court for the Southern District of California against us and certain of our current and former officers and directors. The complaints alleged, among other things, that we violated Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Rule 10b-5 thereunder, by making false and misleading statements and omissions of material fact in connection with certain allegations that we are or were engaged in anticompetitive conduct. The complaints sought unspecified damages, interest, fees and costs. On May 4, 2017, the court consolidated the two actions and appointed lead plaintiffs. On July 3, 2017, the lead plaintiffs filed a consolidated amended complaint asserting the same basic theories of liability and requesting the same basic relief. On September 1, 2017, we filed a motion to dismiss the consolidated amended complaint. On March 18, 2019, the court denied our motion to dismiss the complaint. On January 15, 2020, we filed a motion for judgment on the pleadings. The court has not yet ruled on our motion. We believe the plaintiffs’ claims are without merit. In re Qualcomm/Broadcom Merger Securities Litigation: On June 8, 2018 and June 26, 2018, securities class action complaints were filed by purported stockholders of us in the United States District Court for the Southern District of California against us and two of our current officers. The complaints alleged, among other things, that we violated Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Rule 10b-5 thereunder, by failing to disclose that we had submitted a notice to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) in January 2018. The complaints sought unspecified damages, interest, fees and costs. On January 22, 2019, the court appointed the lead plaintiff in the action. On March 18, 2019, the plaintiffs filed a consolidated complaint asserting the same basic theories of liability and requesting the same basic relief. On May 10, 2019, we filed a motion to dismiss the consolidated complaint, and on March 10, 2020, the court granted our motion. On May 11, 2020, the plaintiffs filed a second amended complaint, and on June 25, 2020, we filed a motion to dismiss that complaint. The court has not yet ruled on our motion. We believe the plaintiffs’ claims are without merit. Consumer Class Action Lawsuit: Since January 18, 2017, a number of consumer class action complaints have been filed against us in the United States District Courts for the Southern and Northern Districts of California, each on behalf of a putative class of purchasers of cellular phones and other cellular devices. Currently, twenty-two such cases remained outstanding. In April 2017, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation transferred the cases that had been filed in the Southern District of California to the Northern District of California. On May 15, 2017, the court entered an order appointing the plaintiffs’ co-lead counsel. On July 11, 2017, the plaintiffs filed a consolidated amended complaint alleging that we violated California and federal antitrust and unfair competition laws by, among other things, refusing to license standard-essential patents to our competitors, conditioning the supply of certain of our baseband chipsets on the purchaser first agreeing to license our entire patent portfolio, entering into exclusive deals with companies, including Apple Inc., and charging unreasonably high royalties that do not comply with our commitments to standard setting organizations. The complaint seeks unspecified damages and disgorgement and/or restitution, as well as an order that we be enjoined from further unlawful conduct. On August 11, 2017, we filed a motion to dismiss the consolidated amended complaint. On November 10, 2017, the court denied our motion, except to the extent that certain claims seek damages under the Sherman Antitrust Act. On July 5, 2018, the plaintiffs filed a motion for class certification, and the court granted that motion on September 27, 2018. On January 23, 2019, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (Ninth Circuit) granted us permission to appeal the court’s class certification order. On January 24, 2019, the court stayed the case pending our appeal. On December 2, 2019, a hearing on our appeal of the class certification order was held before the Ninth Circuit. The Ninth Circuit has not yet ruled on our appeal. We believe the plaintiffs’ claims are without merit. Canadian Consumer Class Action Lawsuits: Since November 9, 2017, eight consumer class action complaints have been filed against us in Canada (in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, the Supreme Court of British Columbia and the Quebec Superior Court), each on behalf of a putative class of purchasers of cellular phones and other cellular devices, alleging various violations of Canadian competition and consumer protection laws. The claims are similar to those in the U.S. consumer class action complaints. The complaints seek unspecified damages. One of the complaints in the Supreme Court of British Columbia has since been discontinued by the plaintiffs. We have not yet answered the complaints. We expect the Ontario and British Columbia complaints will be consolidated into one proceeding in British Columbia with a class certification hearing no earlier than late 2020. Once the certification hearing is scheduled, we expect the court to set a timetable for the exchange of evidence and briefing. As to the complaint filed in Quebec, on April 15, 2019, the Quebec Superior Court held a class certification hearing, and on April 30, 2019, the court issued an order certifying a class. We are awaiting the court to set a timetable for pre-trial steps, including discovery, as well as the exchange of expert evidence. We do not expect the trial to occur before 2022. We believe the plaintiffs’ claims are without merit. Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) Investigation (2015): On March 17, 2015, the KFTC notified us that it was conducting an investigation of us relating to the Korean Monopoly Regulation and Fair Trade Act (MRFTA). On December 27, 2016, the KFTC announced that it had reached a decision in the investigation, finding that we violated provisions of the MRFTA. On January 22, 2017, we received the KFTC’s formal written decision, which found that the following conducts violate the MRFTA: (i) refusing to license, or imposing restrictions on licenses for, cellular communications standard-essential patents with competing modem chipset makers; (ii) conditioning the supply of modem chipsets to handset suppliers on their execution and performance of license agreements with us; and (iii) coercing agreement terms including portfolio license terms, royalty terms and free cross-grant terms in executing patent license agreements with handset makers. The KFTC’s decision orders us to: (a) upon request by modem chipset companies, engage in good-faith negotiations for patent license agreements, without offering unjustifiable conditions, and if necessary submit to a determination of terms by an independent third party; (b) not demand that handset companies execute and perform under patent license agreements as a precondition for purchasing modem chipsets; (c) not demand unjustifiable conditions in our license agreements with handset companies, and upon request renegotiate existing patent license agreements; and (d) notify modem chipset companies and handset companies of the decision and order imposed on us and report to the KFTC new or amended agreements. According to the KFTC’s decision, the foregoing will apply to transactions between us and the following enterprises: (1) handset manufacturers headquartered in Korea and their affiliate companies; (2) enterprises that sell handsets in or to Korea and their affiliate companies; (3) enterprises that supply handsets to companies referred to in (2) above and the affiliate companies of such enterprises; (4) modem chipset manufacturers headquartered in Korea and their affiliate companies; and (5) enterprises that supply modem chipsets to companies referred to in (1), (2) or (3) above and the affiliate companies of such enterprises. The KFTC’s decision also imposed a fine of 1.03 trillion Korean won (approximately $927 million), which we paid on March 30, 2017. We believe that our business practices do not violate the MRFTA. On February 21, 2017, we filed an action in the Seoul High Court to cancel the KFTC’s decision. The Seoul High Court held hearings concluding on August 14, 2019 and, on December 4, 2019, announced its judgment affirming certain portions of the KFTC’s decision and finding other portions of the KFTC’s decision unlawful. The Seoul High Court cancelled the KFTC’s remedial orders described in (c) above, and solely insofar as they correspond thereto, the Seoul High Court cancelled the KFTC’s remedial orders described in (d) above. The Seoul High Court dismissed the remainder of our action to cancel the KFTC’s decision. On December 19, 2019, we filed a notice of appeal to the Korea Supreme Court challenging those portions of the Seoul High Court decision that are not in our favor. The KFTC filed a notice of appeal to the Korea Supreme Court challenging the portions of the Seoul High Court decision that are not in its favor. Both we and the KFTC have filed briefs on the merits. T he Korea Supreme Court has not yet ruled on our appeal or that of the KFTC. Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) Investigation (2020) : On June 8, 2020, the KFTC informed us that it was conducting an investigation of us relating to the MRFTA. The KFTC has not provided a formal notice on the scope of their investigation, but we believe it concerns our business practices in connection with our sale of radio frequency front end (RFFE) components. We are responding to several Requests for Information. If a violation is found, a broad range of remedies is potentially available to the KFTC, including imposing a fine (of up to 3% of our sales in the relevant markets during the alleged period of violation) and/or injunctive relief prohibiting or restricting certain business practices. It is difficult to predict the outcome of this matter or what remedies, if any, may be imposed by the KFTC. We believe that our business practices do not violate the MRFTA. Icera Complaint to the European Commission (EC): On June 7, 2010, the EC notified and provided us with a redacted copy of a complaint filed with the EC by Icera, Inc. (subsequently acquired by Nvidia Corporation) alleging that we were engaged in anticompetitive activity. On July 16, 2015, the EC announced that it had initiated formal proceedings in this matter. On July 18, 2019, the EC issued a decision confirming their preliminary view that between 2009 and 2011, we engaged in predatory pricing by selling certain baseband chipsets to two customers at prices below cost with the intention of hindering competition and imposed a fine of approximately 242 million euros. On October 1, 2019, we filed an appeal of the EC’s decision with the General Court of the European Union. The court has not yet ruled on our appeal. We believe that our business practices do not violate the European Union (EU) competition rules. In the third quarter of fiscal 2019, we recorded a charge of $275 million to other expenses related to this EC fine. We provided a financial guarantee in the first quarter of fiscal 2020 to satisfy the obligation in lieu of cash payment while we appeal the EC’s decision. The fine is accruing interest at a rate of 1.50% per annum while it is outstanding. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, we designated the liability as a hedge of our net investment in certain foreign subsidiaries, with gains and losses recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income as a component of the foreign currency translation adjustment. At June 28, 2020, the liability, including related foreign currency gains and accrued interest (which, to the extent they were not related to the net investment hedge, were recorded in investment and other income, net), was $275 million and included in other current liabilities. European Commission (EC) Investigation: On October 15, 2014, the EC notified us that it was conducting an investigation of us relating to Articles 101 and/or 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). On July 16, 2015, the EC announced that it had initiated formal proceedings in this matter. On January 24, 2018, the EC issued a decision finding that pursuant to an agreement with Apple Inc. we paid significant amounts to Apple on the condition that it exclusively use our baseband chipsets in its smartphones and tablets, reducing Apple’s incentives to source baseband chipsets from our competitors and harming competition and innovation for certain baseband chipsets, and imposed a fine of 997 million euros. On April 6, 2018, we filed an appeal of the EC’s decision with the General Court of the European Union. The court has not yet ruled on our appeal. We believe that our business practices do not violate the EU competition rules. In the first quarter of fiscal 2018, we recorded a charge of $1.2 billion to other expenses related to this EC fine. We provided financial guarantees in the third quarter of fiscal 2018 to satisfy the obligation in lieu of cash payment while we appeal the EC’s decision. The fine is accruing interest at a rate of 1.50% per annum while it is outstanding. In the first quarter of fiscal 2019, we designated the liability as a hedge of our net investment in certain foreign subsidiaries, with gains and losses recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income as a component of the foreign currency translation adjustment. At June 28, 2020, the liability, including related foreign currency gains and accrued interest (which, to the extent they were not related to the net investment hedge, were recorded in investment and other income, net), was $1.2 billion and included in other current liabilities. European Commission (EC) Investigation regarding Radio Frequency Front End (RFFE): On December 3, 2019, we received a Request for Information from the EC notifying us that it is investigating whether we engaged in anti-competitive behavior in the European Union (EU)/European Economic Area (EEA) by leveraging our market position in 5G baseband processors in the RFFE space. We have responded to the Request for Information. If a violation is found, a broad range of remedies is potentially available to the EC, including imposing a fine (of up to 10% of our annual revenues) and/or injunctive relief prohibiting or restricting certain business practices. It is difficult to predict the outcome of this matter or what remedies, if any, may be imposed by the EC. We believe that our business practices do not violate the EU competition rules. United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) v. QUALCOMM Incorporated: On September 17, 2014, the FTC notified us that it was conducting an investigation of us relating to Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act (FTCA). On January 17, 2017, the FTC filed a complaint against us in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California alleging that we were engaged in anticompetitive conduct and unfair methods of competition in violation of Section 5 of the FTCA by conditioning the supply of cellular modem chipsets on the purchaser first agreeing to a license to our cellular standard-essential patents, paying incentives to purchasers of cellular modem chipsets to induce them to accept certain license terms, refusing to license our cellular standard-essential patents to our competitors and entering into alleged exclusive dealing arrangements with Apple Inc. The complaint sought a permanent injunction against our alleged violations of the FTCA and other unspecified ancillary equitable relief. On August 30, 2018, the FTC moved for partial summary judgment that our commitments to license our cellular standard-essential patents to the Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS) and the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) require us to make licenses available to rival sellers of cellular modem chipsets. On November 6, 2018, the court granted the FTC’s partial summary judgment motion. Trial was held January 4-29, 2019. On May 21, 2019, the court issued an Order setting forth its Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law. The court concluded that we had monopoly power in the CDMA and premium-tier Long Term Evolution (LTE) cellular modem chip markets, and that we had used that power in these two markets to engage in anticompetitive acts, including (1) using threats of lack of access to cellular modem chip supply to coerce OEMs to accept license terms that include unreasonably high royalty rates; (2) refusing to license our cellular standard-essential patents to competitors selling cellular modem chips; and (3) entering into exclusive dealing arrangements with OEMs that foreclosed our rivals. The court further found that the royalties we charge OEMs are unreasonably high and reflect the use of our monopoly power over CDMA and premium-tier LTE cellular modem chips rather than just the value of our patents. The court concluded that our unreasonably high royalties constitute an anticompetitive surcharge on cellular modem chips sold by our competitors, which increases the effective price of our competitors’ cellular modem chips, reduces their margins and results in exclusivity. The court also found that our practice of not licensing competitors’ cellular modem chips violated our commitments to certain standard-development organizations and a duty under the antitrust laws to license competing cellular modem chip makers and helped us maintain our royalties at unreasonably high levels. Finally, the court found that incentive funds entered into with certain OEMs further harmed competing cellular modem chip makers’ ability to undermine our monopoly position, prevented rivals from entering the market and restricted the sales of those competitors that do enter. The court concluded that the combined effect of our conduct, together with our monopoly power, harmed the competitive process. The court imposed the following injunctive relief: (1) we must not condition the supply of cellular modem chips on a customer’s patent license status, and we must negotiate or renegotiate license terms with customers in good faith under conditions free from the threat of lack of access to or discriminatory provision of cellular modem chip supply or associated technical support or access to software; (2) we must make exhaustive cellular standard-essential patent licenses available to cellular modem chip suppliers on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory (FRAND) terms and submit, as necessary, to arbitral or judicial dispute resolution to determine such terms; (3) we may not enter into express or de facto exclusive dealing agreements for the supply of cellular modem chips; and (4) we may not interfere with the ability of any customer to communicate with a government agency about a potential law enforcement or regulatory matter. The court also ordered us to submit to compliance and monitoring procedures for a period of seven years and to report to the FTC on an annual basis regarding our compliance with the above remedies. We disagree with the court’s conclusions, interpretation of the facts and application of the law. On May 31, 2019, we filed with the court a Notice of Appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (Ninth Circuit). On July 8, 2019, we filed a Motion for Partial Stay of Injunction Pending Appeal and a Consent Motion to Expedite Appeal in the Ninth Circuit. On August 23, 2019, the Ninth Circuit granted our Motion for Partial Stay. Thus, pending the resolution of the appeal in the Ninth Circuit or until further order of the Ninth Circuit, the portions of the court’s injunction requiring that we must (i) make exhaustive cellular standard-essential patent licenses available to cellular modem chip suppliers and (ii) not condition the supply of cellular modem chips on a customer’s patent license status and must negotiate or renegotiate license terms with customers are stayed. On July 10, 2019, the Ninth Circuit granted our Motion to Expedite Appeal . On February 13, 2020, the Ninth Circuit heard oral argument, but has not yet ruled on our appeal. Contingent losses and other considerations: We will continue to vigorously defend ourselves in the foregoing matters. However, litigation and investigations are inherently uncertain, and we face difficulties in evaluating or estimating likely outcomes or ranges of possible loss in antitrust and trade regulation investigations in particular. Other than with respect to the EC fines, we have not recorded any accrual at June 28, 2020 for contingent losses associated with these matters based on our belief that losses, while possible, are not probable. Further, any possible range of loss cannot be reasonably estimated at this time. The unfavorable resolution of one or more of these matters could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. We are engaged in numerous other legal actions not described above arising in the ordinary course of our business and, while there can be no assurance, believe that the ultimate outcome of these other legal actions will not have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. Indemnifications . We generally do not indemnify our customers, licensees and suppliers for losses sustained from infringement of third-party intellectual property rights. However, we are contingently liable under certain agreements to defend and/or indemnify certain customers, licensees and suppliers against certain types of liability and/or damages arising from the infringement of third-party intellectual property rights. Our obligations under these agreements may be limited in terms of time and/or amount, and in some instances, we may have recourse against third parties for certain payments made by us. Claims and reimbursements under indemnification arrangements have not been material to our consolidated financial statements. At June 28, 2020, accruals for contingent liabilities associated with these indemnification arrangements were negligible. We have not recorded accruals for certain claims under indemnification arrangements based on our belief that additional liabilities, while possible, are not probable. Further, any possible range of loss cannot be reasonably estimated at this time. Operating Leases. We lease certain of our land, facilities and equipment under operating leases, with terms ranging from less than one year to 20 years, some of which include options to extend for up to 20 years. At June 28, 2020, other assets included $458 million of operating lease assets, with corresponding lease liabilities of $128 million recorded in other current liabilities and $374 million recorded in other liabilities. Operating lease expense for the three and nine months ended June 28, 2020 was $45 million and $132 million, respectively, and $38 million and $110 million for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2019, respectively. Cash paid under our operating leases was $114 million for the nine months ended June 28, 2020. As of June 28, 2020, the weighted-average remaining lease term and weighted-average discount rate for operating leases wer e 6.0 years and 4%, r espectively. At June 28, 2020, future lease payments under our operating leases were as follows (in millions): June 28, Remainder of fiscal 2020 $ 38 2021 132 2022 112 2023 68 2024 49 Thereafter 178 Total future lease payments 577 Imputed interest (75) Total lease liability balance $ 502 At September 29, 2019, future minimum lease payments under our noncancelable operating leases under ASC 840 were as follows (in millions): September 29, 2020 $ 138 2021 97 2022 66 2023 31 2024 18 Thereafter 35 Total $ 385

Segment Information (Notes)

Segment Information (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2020
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	Segment Information We are organized on the basis of products and services and have three reportable segments. We conduct business primarily through our QCT semiconductor business and our QTL licensing business. QCT develops and supplies integrated circuits and system software based on CDMA, OFDMA and other technologies for use in mobile devices, wireless networks, devices used in the Internet of Things (IoT), broadband gateway equipment, consumer electronic devices and automotive telematics and infotainment systems. QTL grants licenses or otherwise provides rights to use portions of our intellectual property portfolio, which includes certain patent rights essential to and/or useful in the manufacture, sale or use of certain wireless products. Our QSI (Qualcomm Strategic Initiatives) reportable segment makes strategic investments and includes revenues and related costs associated with development contracts with an investee. We also have nonreportable segments, including QGOV (Qualcomm Government Technologies) and other technology and service initiatives. We evaluate the performance of our segments based on revenues and earnings (loss) before income taxes (EBT). Segment EBT includes the allocation of certain corporate expenses to the segments, including depreciation and amortization expense related to unallocated corporate assets. Certain income and charges are not allocated to segments in our management reports because they are not considered in evaluating the segments’ operating performance. Unallocated income and charges include certain interest expense, certain net investment income, certain share-based compensatio n, gains and losses on our deferred compensation plan liabilities and related assets and certain research and develop ment expenses, selling, general and administrative expenses and other expenses or income that were deemed to be not directly related to the businesses of the segments. Additionally, unallocated charges include recognition of the step-up of inventories and property, plant and equipment to fair value, amortization of certain intangible assets and certain other acquisition-related charges, third-party acquisition and integration services costs and certain other items, which may include major restructuring and restructuring-related costs, goodwill and long-lived asset impairment charges and awards, settlements and/or damages arising from legal or regulatory matters. The table below presents revenues, EBT and total assets for reportable segments (in millions): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended June 28, June 30, June 28, June 30, Revenues QCT $ 3,807 $ 3,567 $ 11,526 $ 11,028 QTL 1,044 1,292 3,520 3,433 QSI 3 18 33 143 Reconciling items 39 4,758 106 4,855 Total $ 4,893 $ 9,635 $ 15,185 $ 19,459 EBT QCT $ 603 $ 504 $ 1,748 $ 1,644 QTL 646 898 2,335 2,162 QSI 153 312 (58) 337 Reconciling items (534) 3,787 (1,612) 2,724 Total $ 868 $ 5,501 $ 2,413 $ 6,867 June 28, September 29, Assets QCT $ 2,914 $ 2,307 QTL 1,252 1,541 QSI (Note 2) 1,366 1,708 Reconciling items 26,796 27,401 Total $ 32,328 $ 32,957 Segment assets are comprised of accounts receivable and inventories for all reportable segments other than QSI. QSI segment assets include certain non-marketable equity instruments, receivables and other investments. Total segment assets differ from total assets on a consolidated basis as a result of unallocated corporate assets primarily comprised of certain cash, cash equivalents, marketable and non-marketable securities, property, plant and equipment, deferred tax assets, goodwill, intangible assets, operating lease assets, noncurrent income taxes receivables, deferred compensation plan assets and assets of nonreportable segments. QCT accounts receivable decreased by 37% in the first nine months of fiscal 2020 from $908 million to $571 million, primarily driven by an increase in the customer incentive amounts recorded as a reduction to accounts receivable. QCT inventories increased by 67% in the first nine months of fiscal 2020 from $1.40 billion to $2.34 billion, primarily driven by the ramp in 5G and certain near-term changes in the timing of customer demand resulting from the impacts of COVID-19. QTL accounts receivable decreased by 19% in the first nine months of fiscal 2020 from $1.54 billion to $1.25 billion, primarily driven by scheduled payments received from Guangdong OPPO Mobile Telecommunications Corp., Ltd. (Oppo) and BBK Communication Technology Co., Ltd. (vivo) under the previously disclosed agreements reached requiring payment of certain amounts due under the prior license agreements that expired on March 31, 2020 (for which certain of such amounts were previously withheld while good faith negotiations occurred), as well as a decrease in QTL revenues in the third quarter of fiscal 2020. The remaining amounts from Oppo and vivo are due in the near term in accordance with previously agreed upon payment schedules. Reconciling items for revenues and EBT in the previous table were as follows (in millions): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended June 28, June 30, June 28, June 30, Revenues Nonreportable segments $ 39 $ 35 $ 106 $ 132 Unallocated revenues — 4,723 — 4,723 $ 39 $ 4,758 $ 106 $ 4,855 EBT Unallocated revenues $ — $ 4,723 $ — $ 4,723 Unallocated cost of revenues (87) (103) (262) (321) Unallocated research and development expenses (271) (307) (746) (645) Unallocated selling, general and administrative expenses (103) (139) (275) (285) Unallocated other (expenses) income (Note 2) — (277) 23 (408) Unallocated interest expense (142) (158) (434) (471) Unallocated investment and other income, net 76 58 129 188 Nonreportable segments (7) (10) (47) (57) $ (534) $ 3,787 $ (1,612) $ 2,724 Unallocated revenues in the three and nine months ended June 30, 2019 were comprised of licensing revenues resulting from the settlement with Apple and its contract manufacturers in April 2019 and were not allocated to our segments in our management reports because they were not considered in evaluating segment results.

Fair Value Measurements (Notes)

Fair Value Measurements (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2020
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	Fair Value Measurements The following table presents our fair value hierarchy for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at June 28, 2020 (in millions): Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets Cash equivalents $ 1,227 $ 3,715 $ — $ 4,942 Marketable securities: U.S. Treasury securities and government-related securities — 6 — 6 Corporate bonds and notes — 4,005 — 4,005 Mortgage- and asset-backed and auction rate securities — 84 34 118 Equity securities 355 — — 355 Total marketable securities 355 4,095 34 4,484 Derivative instruments — 20 — 20 Other investments 467 — 40 507 Total assets measured at fair value $ 2,049 $ 7,830 $ 74 $ 9,953 Liabilities Derivative instruments $ — $ 5 $ — $ 5 Other liabilities 468 — 5 473 Total liabilities measured at fair value $ 468 $ 5 $ 5 $ 478 Activity within Level 3 of the Fair Value Hierarchy. Other investments included in Level 3 at June 28, 2020 were primarily comprised of non-marketable debt instruments. Activity for marketable securities, other investments and other liabilities classified within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy was insignificant during the nine months ended June 28, 2020, which was primarily related to impairments of certain of our non-marketable debt instruments (Note 2), purchases of non-marketable debt instruments and payments of contingent consideration related to a certain business acquisition, and the nine months ended June 30, 2019, which was primarily related to the issuance of a non-marketable debt instrument by a private company. Assets Measured and Recorded at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis. We measure certain assets and liabilities at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. These assets and liabilities include equity method and non-marketable equity investments, assets acquired and liabilities assumed in an acquisition or in a nonmonetary exchange, and property, plant and equipment and intangible assets that are written down to fair value when they are held for sale or determined to be impaired. During the nine months ended June 28, 2020, certain of our non-marketable equity investments were written down to their estimated fair values, which was recorded as a component of impairment losses on other investments in investment and other income, net (Note 2), and certain other non-marketable equity investments were remeasured to their estimated fair values based on observable price changes in orderly transactions for identical or similar securities, which is recorded as a component of n et gains on other investments in investment and other income, net (Note 2) . For a significant portion of these impairments, the estimated fair values resulted in a full write-off of the carrying values. The estimation of fair values was judgmental in nature and involved the use of significant estimates and assumption s. We determined these fair value measurements primarily using a market approach and key inputs and assumptions included estimated market value of assets, ability of investees to access additional financing or otherwise continue as a going concern, volatility and liquidation and other rights of the securities we hold. During the nine months ended June 30, 2019, certain intangible assets and goodwill were written down to their estimated fair values. We also measured certain non-marketable equity securities received as non-cash consideration at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. We determined these fair value measurements using market and income approaches and key inputs and assumptions included projected cash flows, estimated selling prices, volatility and the rights of the securities we hold.

Marketable Securities (Notes)

Marketable Securities (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2020
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Marketable Securities	Note 9. Marketable Securities We classify marketable securities as current or noncurrent based on the nature of the securities and their availability for use in current operations. Our marketable securities were comprised as follows (in millions): Current Noncurrent (1) June 28, September 29, June 28, September 29, Available-for-sale debt securities: U.S. Treasury securities and government-related securities $ 6 $ — $ — $ — Corporate bonds and notes 4,005 4 — — Mortgage- and asset-backed and auction rate securities 84 — 34 35 Total available-for-sale debt securities 4,095 4 34 35 Equity securities 355 417 — 1 Time deposit (2) 30 — — — Total marketable securities $ 4,480 $ 421 $ 34 $ 36 (1) Noncurrent marketable securities were included in other assets. (2) At June 28, 2020, marketable securities also included a time deposit with an original maturity of greater than 90 days. The contractual maturities of available-for-sale debt securities were as follows (in millions): June 28, Years to Maturity Less than one year $ 2,730 One to five years 1,281 No single maturity date 118 Total $ 4,129

Subsequent Events (Notes)

Subsequent Events (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2020
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	Note 10. Subsequent Events In July 2020, we entered into a settlement agreement with Huawei to resolve our prior dispute related to our license agreement that expired on December 31, 2019. We also entered into a new long-term, global patent license agreement, including a cross license granting back rights to certain of Huawei’s patents, covering sales beginning January 1, 2020. Amounts due under the settlement agreement (which are incremental to the $1.2 billion previously paid under two interim agreements) are expected to be paid in installments within one year in accordance with an agreed upon payment schedule, with the first payment due in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020. While we continue to assess the accounting impacts of the agreements, including consideration of the geopolitical environment, we currently expect to record revenues in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 resulting from such agreements, including certain amounts related to previously satisfied performance obligations. Such event is considered a nonrecognized subsequent event.

Basis of Presentation and Sig_2

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies Update (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2020
Basis of Presentation [Abstract]
Fiscal Period, Policy	We operate and report using a 52-53 week fiscal year ending on the last Sunday in September. Each of the three and nine months ended June 28, 2020 and June 30, 2019 included 13 weeks and 39 weeks, respectively.
Use of Estimates, Policy	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and the disclosure of contingent amounts in our condensed consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements, Policy	Leases: In February 2016, the FASB issued new accounting guidance related to leases (ASC 842) that outlines a new comprehensive lease accounting model and requires expanded disclosures. Under the new accounting guidance, we are required to recognize right-of-use assets and corresponding lease liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. We adopted ASC 842 in the first quarter of fiscal 2020 using the modified retrospective approach, with the cumulative effect of initial adoption recorded as an adjustment to our opening condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2019. We elected to not record leases with a term of 12 months or less on our consolidated balance sheet. In addition, we applied the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance, which among other things, does not require reassessment of lease classification upon adoption. Prior period results have not been restated and continue to be reported in accordance with the accounting guidance in effect for those periods (ASC 840). Upon adoption, we recorded $449 million of operating lease assets in other assets and $500 million of corresponding lease liabilities ($127 million recorded in other current liabilities and $373 million recorded in other liabilities). The difference between the operating lease assets and liabilities of $51 million primarily related to deferred rent liabilities that existed as of the date of adoption. Finance leases were not material for all periods presented. Adoption of the new accounting guidance did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated statements of operations or cash flows. Accounting Policy Update. Leases: As a result of the adoption of ASC 842, we revised our lease accounting policy beginning in fiscal 2020 as follows. Operating lease assets and liabilities are recognized for leases with lease terms greater than 12 months based on the present value of the future lease payments over the lease term at the commencement date. Operating leases are included in other assets, other current liabilities and other liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet. Our lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise such option. We account for substantially all lease and related non-lease components together as a single lease component. Operating lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Recent Accounting Guidance Not Yet Adopted. Financial Assets: In June 2016, the FASB issued new accounting guidance that changes the accounting for recognizing impairments of financial assets. Under the new accounting guidance, credit losses for financial assets held at amortized cost (such as accounts receivable) will be estimated based on expected losses rather than the current incurred loss impairment model. The new accounting guidance also eliminates the concept of other-than-temporary impairment and requires credit losses related to available-for-sale debt securities to be recorded through an allowance for credit losses rather than as a reduction in the amortized cost basis of the securities. These changes will result in earlier recognition of credit losses, if any. The new accounting guidance generally requires the modified retrospective transition method, with the cumulative effect of applying the new accounting guidance recognized as an adjustment to opening retained earnings in the year of adoption, except for certain financial assets where the prospective transition method is required, such as available-for-sale debt securities for which an other-than-temporary impairment has been recorded. We will adopt the new accounting guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2021, and the impact of this new accounting guidance will largely depend on the composition and credit quality of our investment portfolio and accounts receivable, as well as economic conditions, at the time of adoption.
Equity and Cost Method Investments, Policy	the rapid, global spread of the recent coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and associated containment and mitigation measures have negatively impacted the condition of economies and financial markets globally, which has negatively impacted certain companies in which we hold non-marketable equity investments, including those accounted for under the equity method and, to a lesser extent, non-marketable debt securities. In the second and third quarters of fiscal 2020, significant evaluation and judgments were required in determining if the negative effects of COVID-19 indicated that such investments were impaired, and if so, the extent of such impairment. This included, among other items: (i) assessing the business impacts that COVID-19 had, and we currently expect to have in the future, on our investees, including taking into consideration the investee’s industry and geographic location and the impact to its customers, suppliers and employees, as applicable, (ii) evaluating the investees’ ability to respond to the impacts of COVID-19, including any significant deterioration in the investee’s financial condition and cash flows, as well as assessing liquidity and/or going concern risks and (iii) considering any appreciation in fair value that has not been recognized in the carrying values of such investments. Based on this evaluation, certain of our investments were impaired and written down to their estimated fair values in th e second quarter of fiscal 2020 (a significant portion of which related to the full impairment of our investment in OneWeb (an equity method investee) who filed for bankruptcy in the second quarter of fiscal 2020) and, to a lesser extent, in the third quarter of fiscal 2020 (Note 8). Although w e believe that our judgments supporting our impairment assessments are reasonable (which rely on information reasonably available to us), the COVID-19 pandemic makes it challenging for us and our investees to estimate the future performance of our investees’ businesses. As circumstances change and/or new information becomes available, we may be required to record additional impairments in subsequent periods.
Revenue Recognition	We disaggregate our revenues by segment (Note 7) and type of products and services (as presented on our condensed consolidated statement of operations), as we believe this best depicts how the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of our revenues and cash flows are affected by economic factors. Substantially all of QCT’s (Qualcomm CDMA Technologies) revenues consist of equipment revenues that are recognized at a point in time, and substantially all of QTL’s (Qualcomm Technology Licensing) revenues represent licensing revenues that are recognized over time.
Stockholders' equity policy, Stock repurchases	To reflect share repurchases in the consolidated balance sheet, we (i) reduce common stock for the par value of the shares, (ii) reduce paid-in capital for the amount in excess of par to zero during the quarter in which the shares are repurchased and (iii) record the residual amount, if any, to retained earnings
Segment Reporting Policy	We are organized on the basis of products and services and have three reportable segments.
Segment Reporting EBT Policy	We evaluate the performance of our segments based on revenues and earnings (loss) before income taxes (EBT). Segment EBT includes the allocation of certain corporate expenses to the segments, including depreciation and amortization expense related to unallocated corporate assets. Certain income and charges are not allocated to segments in our management reports because they are not considered in evaluating the segments’ operating performance. Unallocated income and charges include certain interest expense, certain net investment income, certain share-based compensatio n, gains and losses on our deferred compensation plan liabilities and related assets and certain research and develop

Composition of Certain Financ_2

Composition of Certain Financial Statement Items (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2020
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]
Accounts Receivable	Accounts Receivable, net (in millions) June 28, September 29, Trade, net of allowances for doubtful accounts $ 928 $ 1,046 Unbilled 907 1,411 Other 12 14 $ 1,847 $ 2,471
Inventories	Inventories (in millions) June 28, September 29, Raw materials $ 110 $ 77 Work-in-process 942 667 Finished goods 1,291 656 $ 2,343 $ 1,400
Equity Method and Non-marketable Equity Investments	The carrying values of our equity method and non-marketable equity investments are recorded in other noncurrent assets and were as follows (in millions): June 28, September 29, Equity method investments $ 213 $ 343 Non-marketable equity investments 750 787 $ 963 $ 1,130
Investment and Other Income, Net	Investment and Other Income, Net (in millions) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended June 28, June 30, June 28, June 30, Interest and dividend income $ 30 $ 80 $ 135 $ 224 Net gains on marketable securities 117 315 183 296 Net gains on other investments 48 6 84 47 Net gains on deferred compensation plan assets 57 12 16 10 Impairment losses on other investments (12) (42) (349) (111) Net gains (losses) on derivative investments 1 — 2 (10) Equity in net losses of investees (6) (22) (21) (79) Net losses on foreign currency transactions (6) (5) (4) — $ 229 $ 344 $ 46 $ 377

Capital Stock Earnings per Comm

Capital Stock Earnings per Common Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2020
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted	The following table provides information about the diluted earnings per share calculation (in millions): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended June 28, June 30, June 28, June 30, Dilutive common share equivalents included in diluted shares 11.9 13.9 12.9 9.3 Shares of common stock equivalents not included because the effect would be anti-dilutive or certain performance conditions were not satisfied at the end of the period 2.7 0.7 1.0 9.9

Debt (Tables)

Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2020
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments	The following table provides a summary of our long-term debt: June 28, 2020 September 29, 2019 Maturities Amount Effective Rate Maturities Amount Effective Rate May 2015 Notes 2022 - 2045 $ 6,500 2.62% - 4.73% 2020 - 2045 $ 8,500 2.64% - 4.73% May 2017 Notes 2023 - 2047 7,000 1.55% - 4.46% 2023 - 2047 7,000 2.70% - 4.47% May 2020 Notes 2030 - 2050 2,000 2.31% - 3.30% — Total principal 15,500 15,500 Unamortized discount, including debt issuance costs (91) (75) Hedge accounting fair value adjustments 16 9 Total long-term debt $ 15,425 $ 15,434 Reported as: Short-term debt $ — $ 1,997 Long-term debt 15,425 13,437 Total $ 15,425 $ 15,434

Commitments and Contingencies_2

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2020
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Maturity	future lease payments under our operating leases were as follows (in millions): June 28, Remainder of fiscal 2020 $ 38 2021 132 2022 112 2023 68 2024 49 Thereafter 178 Total future lease payments 577 Imputed interest (75) Total lease liability balance $ 502
Schedule of future minimum lease payments for operating leases	future minimum lease payments under our noncancelable operating leases under ASC 840 were as follows (in millions): September 29, 2020 $ 138 2021 97 2022 66 2023 31 2024 18 Thereafter 35 Total $ 385

Segment Information (Tables)

Segment Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2020
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Revenues, EBT, and Assets for reportable segments	The table below presents revenues, EBT and total assets for reportable segments (in millions): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended June 28, June 30, June 28, June 30, Revenues QCT $ 3,807 $ 3,567 $ 11,526 $ 11,028 QTL 1,044 1,292 3,520 3,433 QSI 3 18 33 143 Reconciling items 39 4,758 106 4,855 Total $ 4,893 $ 9,635 $ 15,185 $ 19,459 EBT QCT $ 603 $ 504 $ 1,748 $ 1,644 QTL 646 898 2,335 2,162 QSI 153 312 (58) 337 Reconciling items (534) 3,787 (1,612) 2,724 Total $ 868 $ 5,501 $ 2,413 $ 6,867 June 28, September 29, Assets QCT $ 2,914 $ 2,307 QTL 1,252 1,541 QSI (Note 2) 1,366 1,708 Reconciling items 26,796 27,401 Total $ 32,328 $ 32,957
Reconciling items for reportable segments - revenues	Reconciling items for revenues and EBT in the previous table were as follows (in millions): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended June 28, June 30, June 28, June 30, Revenues Nonreportable segments $ 39 $ 35 $ 106 $ 132 Unallocated revenues — 4,723 — 4,723 $ 39 $ 4,758 $ 106 $ 4,855 EBT Unallocated revenues $ — $ 4,723 $ — $ 4,723 Unallocated cost of revenues (87) (103) (262) (321) Unallocated research and development expenses (271) (307) (746) (645) Unallocated selling, general and administrative expenses (103) (139) (275) (285) Unallocated other (expenses) income (Note 2) — (277) 23 (408) Unallocated interest expense (142) (158) (434) (471) Unallocated investment and other income, net 76 58 129 188 Nonreportable segments (7) (10) (47) (57) $ (534) $ 3,787 $ (1,612) $ 2,724
Reconciling items for reportable segments - EBT	Reconciling items for revenues and EBT in the previous table were as follows (in millions): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended June 28, June 30, June 28, June 30, Revenues Nonreportable segments $ 39 $ 35 $ 106 $ 132 Unallocated revenues — 4,723 — 4,723 $ 39 $ 4,758 $ 106 $ 4,855 EBT Unallocated revenues $ — $ 4,723 $ — $ 4,723 Unallocated cost of revenues (87) (103) (262) (321) Unallocated research and development expenses (271) (307) (746) (645) Unallocated selling, general and administrative expenses (103) (139) (275) (285) Unallocated other (expenses) income (Note 2) — (277) 23 (408) Unallocated interest expense (142) (158) (434) (471) Unallocated investment and other income, net 76 58 129 188 Nonreportable segments (7) (10) (47) (57) $ (534) $ 3,787 $ (1,612) $ 2,724

Fair Value Measurements (Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2020
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]
Fair value hierarchy for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis	The following table presents our fair value hierarchy for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at June 28, 2020 (in millions): Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets Cash equivalents $ 1,227 $ 3,715 $ — $ 4,942 Marketable securities: U.S. Treasury securities and government-related securities — 6 — 6 Corporate bonds and notes — 4,005 — 4,005 Mortgage- and asset-backed and auction rate securities — 84 34 118 Equity securities 355 — — 355 Total marketable securities 355 4,095 34 4,484 Derivative instruments — 20 — 20 Other investments 467 — 40 507 Total assets measured at fair value $ 2,049 $ 7,830 $ 74 $ 9,953 Liabilities Derivative instruments $ — $ 5 $ — $ 5 Other liabilities 468 — 5 473 Total liabilities measured at fair value $ 468 $ 5 $ 5 $ 478

Marketable Securities (Tables)

Marketable Securities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2020
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Marketable Securities	Our marketable securities were comprised as follows (in millions): Current Noncurrent (1) June 28, September 29, June 28, September 29, Available-for-sale debt securities: U.S. Treasury securities and government-related securities $ 6 $ — $ — $ — Corporate bonds and notes 4,005 4 — — Mortgage- and asset-backed and auction rate securities 84 — 34 35 Total available-for-sale debt securities 4,095 4 34 35 Equity securities 355 417 — 1 Time deposit (2) 30 — — — Total marketable securities $ 4,480 $ 421 $ 34 $ 36 (1) Noncurrent marketable securities were included in other assets. (2) At June 28, 2020, marketable securities also included a time deposit with an original maturity of greater than 90 days.
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date	The contractual maturities of available-for-sale debt securities were as follows (in millions): June 28, Years to Maturity Less than one year $ 2,730 One to five years 1,281 No single maturity date 118 Total $ 4,129

Basis of Presentation and Sig_3

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies Update Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 28, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
New Accounting Pronouncements [Abstract]
Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset	$ 458	$ 449
Operating Lease, Liability	502	500
Operating Lease, Liability, Current	128	127
Operating Lease, Liability, Noncurrent	$ 374	373
Deferred Rent Credit		$ 51

Composition of Certain Financ_3

Composition of Certain Financial Statement Items Accounts Receivable (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 28, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable, Unclassified [Abstract]
Trade, net of allowances for doubtful accounts	$ 928	$ 1,046
Unbilled	907	1,411
Other	12	14
Accounts receivable, net	$ 1,847	$ 2,471

Composition of Certain Financ_4

Composition of Certain Financial Statement Items Inventories (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 28, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019
Inventory, Net [Abstract]
Raw materials	$ 110	$ 77
Work-in-process	942	667
Finished goods	1,291	656
Total inventories	$ 2,343	$ 1,400

Composition of Certain Financ_5

Composition of Certain Financial Statement Items Equity Method and Non-marketable Equity Investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 28, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019
Equity Method and Non-marketable Equity Investments [Abstract]
Equity Method Investments	$ 213	$ 343
Non-marketable equity investments	750	787
Carrying value of equity method and non-marketable equity investments	$ 963	$ 1,130

Composition of Certain Financ_6

Composition of Certain Financial Statement Items Revenue recognition (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 28, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Contract with Customer, Performance Obligation Satisfied in Previous Period	$ 141	$ 4,800	$ 258	$ 4,100
Licensing	1,099	6,104	3,809	8,422
Contract with Customer, Liability, Revenue Recognized			424	$ 371
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Amount	1,400		1,400
Apple [Member]
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Licensing		$ 4,700
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2020-06-29
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Amount	$ 180		$ 180
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Period	3 months		3 months
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2020-09-28
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Amount	$ 511		$ 511
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Period	1 year		1 year
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2021-09-27
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Amount	$ 462		$ 462
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Period	1 year		1 year
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2022-09-26
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Amount	$ 209		$ 209
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Period	1 year		1 year
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2023-09-25
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Amount	$ 51		$ 51
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Period	1 year		1 year
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2024-09-30
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Amount	$ 26		$ 26
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Period	1 year		1 year

Composition of Certain Financ_7

Composition of Certain Financial Statement Items Other Income, Costs and Expenses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 30, 2017	Jun. 28, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 28, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) Related to Litigation Settlement		$ 23		$ 23	$ 31
Restructuring and restructuring-related charges					207
KFTC Complaint [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Loss in Period	$ 927				(43)
Icera Complaint to EC [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Loss in Period			$ 275		$ 275

Composition of Certain Financ_8

Composition of Certain Financial Statement Items Investment and Other Income, Net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 28, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Investment Income, Net [Abstract]
Interest and dividend income	$ 30	$ 80	$ 135	$ 224
Net gains on marketable securities	117	315	183	296
Net gains on other investments	48	6	84	47
Net gains on deferred compensation plan assets	57	12	16	10
Impairment losses on other investments	(12)	(42)	(349)	(111)
Net gains (losses) on derivative investments	1	0	2	(10)
Equity in net losses of investees	(6)	(22)	(21)	(79)
Net losses on foreign currency transactions	(6)	(5)	(4)	0
Investment and other income, net	$ 229	$ 344	$ 46	$ 377

Income Taxes (Details)

Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Sep. 27, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Effective income tax rate (benefit)	3.00%
Unrecognized tax benefits	$ 1,900			$ 1,700
Deferred tax asset write off		$ 2,500
Forecast [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Effective income tax rate (benefit)			9.00%
Forecast [Member] | FDII Effective Tax Rate [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Effective income tax rate (benefit)			13.00%
Forecast [Member] | FDII Effective Tax Rate [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Effective income tax rate (benefit)			11.00%

Capital Stock Share Repurchase

Capital Stock Share Repurchase Program (Details) - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jul. 26, 2018
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Authorized amount			$ 30,000
Open Market Repurchases [Member]
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Stock repurchases and retired during the period, shares	30.9	17.7
Stock repurchased and retired during period, value	$ 2,500	$ 1,100
$30B stock repurchase program announced July 26, 2018 [Member]
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Remaining authorized amount	$ 4,600

Capital Stock Dividends (Detail

Capital Stock Dividends (Details) - $ / shares	Sep. 24, 2020	Sep. 03, 2020	Jul. 15, 2020	Jun. 28, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 28, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Dividends per share announced				$ 0.65	$ 0.62	$ 1.89	$ 1.86
Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Dividends Payable, Date Declared			Jul. 15, 2020
Dividends per share announced			$ 0.65
Dividends Payable, Date to be Paid	Sep. 24, 2020
Dividends Payable, Date of Record		Sep. 3, 2020

Capital Stock Earnings per Co_2

Capital Stock Earnings per Common Share (Details) - shares shares in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 28, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Dilutive common share equivalents included in diluted shares	11.9	13.9	12.9	9.3
Shares of common stock equivalents not included because the effect would be anti-dilutive or certain performance conditions were not satisfied at the end of the period	2.7	0.7	1	9.9

Debt Long-term debt (Details)

Debt Long-term debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, principal amount	$ 15,500	$ 15,500
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount (Premium) and Debt Issuance Costs, Net	(91)	(75)
Hedge Accounting Adjustments Related To Long Term Debt	16	9
Debt, Long-term and Short-term, Combined Amount	15,425	15,434
Long-term Debt, Current Maturities	0	1,997
Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities	15,425	13,437
Deferred Gain (Loss) on Discontinuation of Interest Rate Fair Value Hedge	19
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	17,600	16,500
Interest Rate Swap
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount		1,800
Fixed rate 2.15% notes due May 2030
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, principal amount	$ 1,200
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.15%
Fixed rate 3.25% notes due May 2050
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, principal amount	$ 800
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.25%
Floating-rate 3 month LIBOR plus 0.55% notes due May 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, principal amount	$ 250
Fixed rate 2.25% notes due May 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, principal amount	$ 1,750
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.25%
May 2015 notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, principal amount	$ 6,500	$ 8,500
Debt instrument, maturity year (calendar), start	2022	2020
Debt instrument, maturity year (calendar), end	2045	2045
May 2015 notes | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage	2.62%	2.64%
May 2015 notes | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage	4.73%	4.73%
May 2017 notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, principal amount	$ 7,000	$ 7,000
Debt instrument, maturity year (calendar), start	2023	2023
Debt instrument, maturity year (calendar), end	2047	2047
May 2017 notes | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage	1.55%	2.70%
May 2017 notes | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage	4.46%	4.47%
May 2020 Issuance
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, principal amount	$ 2,000	$ 0
Debt instrument, maturity year (calendar), start	2030
Debt instrument, maturity year (calendar), end	2050
May 2020 Issuance | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage	2.31%
May 2020 Issuance | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage	3.30%
Fixed rate 3.0% notes due May 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.00%

Debt Credit Facilities (Details

Debt Credit Facilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 28, 2020	Mar. 30, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Commercial Paper	$ 500		$ 499
Line of Credit, Current	0
Commercial Paper [Member] | November 2021 [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity			$ 5,000
Line Of Credit Facility Reduced Maximum Borrowing Capacity		$ 4,500
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | November 2021 [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 4,500

Commitments and Contingencies L

Commitments and Contingencies Legal and Regulatory Proceedings (Details) € in Millions, $ in Millions, ₩ in Billions	Jul. 18, 2019EUR (€)	Jan. 24, 2018EUR (€)	Mar. 30, 2017USD ($)	Mar. 30, 2017KRW (₩)	Jun. 30, 2019USD ($)	Mar. 25, 2018USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2019USD ($)	Jun. 28, 2020USD ($)
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency Accrual								$ 0
KFTC Complaint [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss contingency, loss in period			$ (927)				$ 43
KFTC Complaint [Member] | Korea (South), Won
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss contingency, loss in period | ₩				₩ (1,030)
Icera Complaint to EC [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss contingency, loss in period					$ (275)		$ (275)
Per annum interest rate for outstanding fines								1.50%
Accrual for EC fine - other current liabilities								$ 275
Icera Complaint to EC [Member] | Euro Member Countries, Euro
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss contingency, loss in period | €	€ (242)
EC [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss contingency, loss in period						$ (1,200)
Per annum interest rate for outstanding fines								1.50%
Accrual for EC fine - other current liabilities								$ 1,200
EC [Member] | Euro Member Countries, Euro
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss contingency, loss in period | €		€ (997)

Commitments and Contingencies O

Commitments and Contingencies Operating Leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 28, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 29, 2019
Leases, Operating [Abstract]
Description of lessee leasing arrangements, operating leases			We lease certain of our land, facilities and equipment under operating leases, with terms ranging from less than one year to 20 years, some of which include options to extend for up to 20 years.
Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset	$ 458		$ 458		$ 449
Operating Lease, Liability, Current	128		128		127
Operating Lease, Liability, Noncurrent	374		374		373
Operating Lease, Expense	$ 45		132
Operating Leases, Rent Expense		$ 38		$ 110
Operating Lease, Payments			$ 114
Operating Lease, Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term	6 years		6 years
Operating Lease, Weighted Average Discount Rate, Percent	4.00%		4.00%
Operating Leases, Future Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Remainder of Fiscal Year	$ 38		$ 38
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Year Two	132		132
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Year Three	112		112
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Year Four	68		68
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Year Five	49		49
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due after Year Five	178		178
Total future lease payments	577		577
Imputed interest	(75)		(75)
Operating Lease, Liability	$ 502		$ 502		$ 500
Remainder due in fiscal year - operating leases						$ 138
Due in two years - operating leases						97
Due in three years - operating leases						66
Due in four years - operating leases						31
Due in five years - operating leases						18
Thereafter - operating leases						35
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due						$ 385

Segment Information (Details)

Segment Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 28, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Sep. 29, 2019
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 4,893	$ 9,635	$ 15,185	$ 19,459
EBT	868	5,501	2,413	6,867
Assets	32,328		32,328		$ 32,957
Accounts receivable, net	1,847		1,847		2,471
Inventories	2,343		2,343		1,400
Cost of revenues	(2,080)	(2,114)	(6,489)	(6,481)
Research and development expense	(1,520)	(1,380)	(4,393)	(3,957)
Selling, general and administrative expense	(511)	(547)	(1,523)	(1,646)
Other expenses	0	(277)	23	(408)
Interest expense	(143)	(160)	(436)	(477)
Investment and other income, net	229	344	46	377
Licensing Agreements
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	4,723	0	4,723
Reconciling Items [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	39	4,758	106	4,855
EBT	(534)	3,787	(1,612)	2,724
Assets	26,796		26,796		27,401
Cost of revenues	(87)	(103)	(262)	(321)
Research and development expense	(271)	(307)	(746)	(645)
Selling, general and administrative expense	(103)	(139)	(275)	(285)
Other expenses	0	(277)	23	(408)
Interest expense	(142)	(158)	(434)	(471)
Investment and other income, net	76	58	129	188
QCT [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	3,807	3,567	11,526	11,028
EBT	603	504	1,748	1,644
Assets	$ 2,914		$ 2,914		2,307
Percent Change in Accounts Receivable	(37.00%)		(37.00%)
Accounts receivable, net	$ 571		$ 571		908
Percent Change in Inventory	67.00%		67.00%
Inventories	$ 2,340		$ 2,340		1,400
QTL [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	1,044	1,292	3,520	3,433
EBT	646	898	2,335	2,162
Assets	$ 1,252		$ 1,252		1,541
Percent Change in Accounts Receivable	(19.00%)		(19.00%)
QSI [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 3	18	$ 33	143
EBT	153	312	(58)	337
Assets	1,366		1,366		$ 1,708
Other Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	39	35	106	132
Other Segments [Member] | Reconciling Items [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
EBT	$ (7)	$ (10)	$ (47)	$ (57)

Fair Value Measurements Fair Va

Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Hierarchy (Details) - Fair Value, Recurring [Member] $ in Millions	Jun. 28, 2020USD ($)
Assets
Cash equivalents	$ 4,942
Marketable securities	4,484
Derivative instruments	20
Other investments	507
Total assets measured at fair value	9,953
Liabilities
Derivative instruments	5
Other liabilities	473
Total liabilities measured at fair value	478
Level 1 [Member]
Assets
Cash equivalents	1,227
Marketable securities	355
Derivative instruments	0
Other investments	467
Total assets measured at fair value	2,049
Liabilities
Derivative instruments	0
Other liabilities	468
Total liabilities measured at fair value	468
Level 2 [Member]
Assets
Cash equivalents	3,715
Marketable securities	4,095
Derivative instruments	20
Other investments	0
Total assets measured at fair value	7,830
Liabilities
Derivative instruments	5
Other liabilities	0
Total liabilities measured at fair value	5
Level 3 [Member]
Assets
Cash equivalents	0
Marketable securities	34
Derivative instruments	0
Other investments	40
Total assets measured at fair value	74
Liabilities
Derivative instruments	0
Other liabilities	5
Total liabilities measured at fair value	5
US Treasury and Government-Related Securities
Assets
Marketable securities	6
US Treasury and Government-Related Securities | Level 1 [Member]
Assets
Marketable securities	0
US Treasury and Government-Related Securities | Level 2 [Member]
Assets
Marketable securities	6
US Treasury and Government-Related Securities | Level 3 [Member]
Assets
Marketable securities	0
Corporate bonds and notes
Assets
Marketable securities	4,005
Corporate bonds and notes | Level 1 [Member]
Assets
Marketable securities	0
Corporate bonds and notes | Level 2 [Member]
Assets
Marketable securities	4,005
Corporate bonds and notes | Level 3 [Member]
Assets
Marketable securities	0
Mortgage- and asset-backed and auction rate securities [Member]
Assets
Marketable securities	118
Mortgage- and asset-backed and auction rate securities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Assets
Marketable securities	0
Mortgage- and asset-backed and auction rate securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Assets
Marketable securities	84
Mortgage- and asset-backed and auction rate securities [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Assets
Marketable securities	34
Equity securities [Member]
Assets
Marketable securities	355
Equity securities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Assets
Marketable securities	355
Equity securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Assets
Marketable securities	0
Equity securities [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Assets
Marketable securities	$ 0

Marketable Securities (Details)

Marketable Securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 28, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019
Marketable Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Current	$ 4,095	$ 4
Marketable securities	4,480	421
Available-for-sale Securities, Noncurrent	34	35
Marketable Securities, Noncurrent	34	36
Less than one year	2,730
One to five years	1,281
No single maturity date	118
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	4,129
US Treasury and Government-Related Securities
Marketable Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Current	6	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Noncurrent	0	0
Corporate Bond Securities
Marketable Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Current	4,005	4
Available-for-sale Securities, Noncurrent	0	0
Mortgage- and asset-backed and auction rate securities [Member]
Marketable Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Current	84	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Noncurrent	34	35
Equity securities [Member]
Marketable Securities [Line Items]
Marketable securities	355	417
Marketable Securities, Noncurrent	0	1
Bank Time Deposits
Marketable Securities [Line Items]
Marketable securities	30	0
Marketable Securities, Noncurrent	$ 0	$ 0

Subsequent Events (Details)

Subsequent Events (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended	24 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Terms of settlement agreement with Huawei	In July 2020, we entered into a settlement agreement with Huawei to resolve our prior dispute related to our license agreement that expired on December 31, 2019
Huawei [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Proceeds from Customers		$ 1,200