If you’re an Android user, you should take note of the whole ARM vs Qualcomm drama. After ARM sued Qualcomm in 2022, accusing it of violating contract terms by acquiring Nuvia, the feud continued and things have now taken a bad turn. ARM threatened Qualcomm with termination of its architectural design license and issued a 60-day notice to the chipmaker. This was first reported by Bloomberg.

ARM vs Qualcomm: What does it mean for Android users?

If Qualcomm is forced to abandon the ARM architectural design of its chipsets, it could cause problems for Android phones.

A possible license cancellation from ARM could pose a significant challenge for Qualcomm, which could eventually impact the entire Android smartphone market. Qualcomm relies heavily on ARM chip architecture to design its Snapdragon processors, which power a large majority of Android devices. If ARM revoked Qualcomm’s license, it would disrupt Qualcomm’s ability to use ARM technology, which would directly impact its ability to produce future processors for Android phones.

This means there could be a delay, or even a halt, in the development of new Snapdragon chips, affecting the supply chain of many Android phone makers who rely on Qualcomm processors for their devices. This could lead to a delay in the release of devices or even an increase in the prices of Android phones. But on the other hand, this could turn out to be good news for MediaTek, as the delays could lead OEMs to look for alternative chipmakers for their smartphones.

The uncertainty surrounding Qualcomm’s licensing status could also push manufacturers to completely reconsider their reliance on ARM-based designs, exploring other architectures like RISC-V. However, such transitions would take time, creating a temporary gap in the market. Ultimately, if Qualcomm’s ARM license were canceled, it could lead to a period of instability and a slowdown in the growth of the Android ecosystem, impacting both manufacturers and consumers.

Why does ARM do this?

This move by ARM marks a strategic shift in its business approach under new management. Rather than licensing its instruction sets to companies like Qualcomm, ARM is now focusing on offering complete chip designs. This transition positions ARM as a direct competitor to Qualcomm, straining the previously collaborative relationship between the two companies. If this cancellation materializes, Qualcomm could face disruptions in its sales, or even legal consequences, including claims for damages.