Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Segment Information (Details)

v3.2.0.727
Segment Information (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Jun. 28, 2015
Mar. 29, 2015
Jun. 29, 2014
Jun. 28, 2015
Jun. 29, 2014
Sep. 28, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]            
Segment Reporting, Factors Used to Identify Entity's Reportable Segments       The Company is organized on the basis of products and services. The Company conducts business primarily through two reportable segments: QCT (Qualcomm CDMA Technologies) and QTL (Qualcomm Technology Licensing), and its QSI (Qualcomm Strategic Initiatives) reportable segment makes strategic investments    
Revenues $ 5,832   $ 6,806 $ 19,825 $ 19,795  
Earnings before taxes 1,398   2,497 5,236 6,526  
Goodwill impairment charge       255 16  
Long-lived asset and goodwill impairment charges       304 642  
Assets 52,295     52,295   $ 48,574
QCT [Member]            
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]            
Revenues 3,853   4,957 13,529 13,816  
Earnings before taxes 289   1,116 2,185 2,762  
Assets 2,977     2,977   3,639
QTL [Member]            
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]            
Revenues 1,931   1,803 6,162 5,774  
Earnings before taxes 1,654   1,550 5,395 5,054  
Assets 522     522   161
QSI [Member]            
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]            
Revenues 0   0 0 0  
Earnings before taxes (49)   (1) (82) (36)  
Assets 697     697   484
Reconciling Items [Member]            
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]            
Revenues 48   46 134 205  
Earnings before taxes (496)   (168) (2,262) (1,254)  
Assets 48,099     48,099   $ 44,290
Nonreportable Segments [Member]            
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]            
Revenues 49   47 138 208  
Earnings before taxes (201)   (364) (512) (1,218)  
Long-lived asset and goodwill impairment charges         607  
Unallocated cost of equipment and services revenues [Member]            
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]            
Earnings before taxes (65)   (74) (217) (223)  
Unallocated acquisition-related expenses 55   62 184 186  
Unallocated research and development expenses [Member]            
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]            
Earnings before taxes (188)   (220) (624) (653)  
Unallocated acquisition-related expenses 3   3 11 26  
Unallocated selling, general and administrative expenses [Member]            
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]            
Earnings before taxes (93)   (107) (342) (318)  
Unallocated acquisition-related expenses 20   6 45 19  
Unallocated Other Income [Member]            
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]            
Earnings before taxes (142)   184 (1,221) 173  
Government Fine Amount       975    
Goodwill impairment charge       235    
Impairment of Intangible Assets       11    
Unallocated Investment Income, Net [Member]            
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]            
Earnings before taxes 193   413 655 985  
Intersegment Eliminations [Member]            
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]            
Revenues (1)   (1) (4) (3)  
Earnings before taxes $ 0   $ 0 $ (1) $ 0  
United States of America, Dollars            
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]            
Government Fine Amount   $ 975