Qualcomm CEO Says AI Firms Want 100B-Parameter Models on Phones by 2028
Qualcomm chief Cristiano Amon states that leading AI companies require smartphones to run massive local models continuously by 2028.
Key points
- AI companies demand phones capable of running 100-billion-parameter models by 2028.
- Memory price hikes have caused a 20% drop in the smartphone market this year.
- Qualcomm plans to open-source its Modular software platform under Apache 2.0 license.
Qualcomm chief executive Cristiano Amon stated that leading artificial intelligence companies require smartphones to run models with at least 100 billion parameters by the year 2028. Amon shared this insight during an interview recorded at the Snapdragon Summit in Maui, which was published on October 8 by The Next Web.
According to The Next Web, these companies want the large models running on devices continuously. Amon declined to name the specific firms making these demands. He noted that AI companies are beginning to manufacture their own phones, citing ByteDance’s Doubao phone, produced by Nubia in China, as an early example of this trend.
AI Strategy and Market Context
Amon argued that while some AI processing remains in the cloud, certain tasks must occur on the device. He explained that phones hold personal context, sensor data, and the applications agents need to operate. The launch of OpenClaw helped clarify the vision for an AI smartphone that plans and executes tasks for users.
The smartphone market faced a 20 percent decline this year due to memory prices rising five to six times. Amon stated that mid-range and cheaper phones were hit hardest, while premium models remained stable. He described the situation as a supply issue rather than a demand problem, noting that buyers still purchase about 1.2 billion phones annually.
Hardware and Software Developments
Elon Musk responded to Amon’s comments on X, identifying RAM supply as the primary problem. Amon expressed strong confidence in smart glasses, estimating the market at 50 to 60 million units with about 40 designs using Qualcomm chips. The company launched new glasses platforms at the summit to support this growth.
On the software side, Amon discussed Modular, a software company Qualcomm acquired from Swift creator Chris Lattner. He announced that Qualcomm will make the Modular platform open source under the Apache 2.0 license for any chip. This includes deployments on Nvidia, AMD, Broadcom, and Intel hardware.
What should you do?
Readers should monitor Qualcomm’s announcements regarding the Snapdragon Summit and future chip releases. Developers interested in the Modular platform should review the Apache 2.0 licensing terms. Industry observers should track memory price trends and their impact on smartphone availability.
What to do and how to stay safe: Qualcomm
- Monitor official Qualcomm announcements for updates on Snapdragon chip capabilities and release timelines.
- Review the Apache 2.0 license details if you plan to use the Modular software platform on your hardware.
- Track global memory supply reports to understand potential impacts on smartphone pricing and availability.
- Evaluate how local AI processing requirements might influence your organization’s device procurement strategies.
Step-by-step guide: Prompt Injection Warning Signs: How to Spot AI Manipulation
General security guidance from the Threat Times newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.
Frequently asked questions
Which companies want to run large AI models on phones?
Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon stated that some leading AI companies want this capability but did not name them specifically.
When do these companies want this technology?
The companies stated they need the ability to run 100-billion-parameter models on phones by 2028.
How has memory pricing affected the smartphone market?
Memory prices rose five to six times, causing a 20 percent drop in the smartphone market this year.
