Qualcomm secured a deal to supply custom data center AI inference chips to an unnamed hyperscale customer. This marks the company's re-entry into the server market after discontinuing its Centriq chip line in 2018.
The custom ASIC-based accelerators focus on AI inference workloads rather than training. Shipments for the new hardware are scheduled to begin in December 2026.
This win validates a strategic shift for the data center space first indicated in August 2025. The move places Qualcomm in direct competition with established AI chip manufacturers.