Qualcomm's CEO on the coming AI phone supercycle (sources.news)

Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon has forecasted a forthcoming "smartphone supercycle" driven by AI technology, suggesting that the next wave of smartphones will not just be for communication, but will act on users' behalf through AI agents. By allowing these agents to utilize personal context and integrate seamlessly with applications, Amon anticipates that they’ll create a compelling reason for consumers to upgrade their devices—similar to the revolutionary impact of third-party applications during the rise of the iPhone. He indicated that AI companies are pushing for capabilities supporting models with over 100 billion parameters on smartphones by 2028, tapping into a market of users who have delayed new phone purchases due to high memory costs. In addition to traditional smartphones, Amon highlighted the potential of emerging AI wearables, particularly smart glasses, which are expected to become the dominant category. As Qualcomm is also expanding its focus with the recent acquisition of Modular, the company aims to provide a competitive alternative to Nvidia’s software, streamlining the development of applications across varying hardware. Amon views 6G technology as a game changer, facilitating high-definition video uploads and enabling new applications that could revolutionize the interaction between digital and physical environments. This future, while still a few years away, is poised for key demonstrations by the 2028 LA Olympics, paving the way for widespread adoption around 2029-2030.