Qualcomm is unlikely to pursue any transactions with Intel, a decision that aligns with industry expectations. Sources close to the semiconductor supply chain suggest Qualcomm never seriously considered the move, doubting the potential for mutual benefit.
Speculation regarding Intel has largely focused on the possibility of selling its FPGA unit, Altera, to Lattice Semiconductor. While Lattice lacks the scale to fully acquire Altera, this rumor holds more plausibility than Qualcomm's acquisition of Intel. Intel's acquisition of Altera has yet to yield clear synergies, fueling long-standing rumors of a sale.
Industry experts note that Qualcomm acquiring Intel would face immense hurdles, including antitrust and geopolitical concerns. Qualcomm's focus on leveraging Arm-based architecture to expand in the PC market indicates little interest in capturing Intel's x86 assets, especially amid its ongoing legal disputes with Arm.
Cultural and strategic differences between Qualcomm and Intel further diminish the likelihood of a deal. Qualcomm's 2021 diversification strategy has driven success in automotive and garnered strong PC market support. Analysts agree that sticking to its current course, centered on RISC-based developments like Arm and RISC-V, is the company's preferred trajectory.
For now, rumors of a Qualcomm-Intel deal appear definitively shelved.
