Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Segment Information (Details)

v3.10.0.1
Segment Information (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 30, 2018
Sep. 30, 2018
Jun. 24, 2018
Mar. 25, 2018
Dec. 24, 2017
Sep. 24, 2017
Jun. 25, 2017
Sep. 30, 2018
Sep. 24, 2017
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                  
Segment reporting, factors used to identify entity's reportable segments We are organized on the basis of products and services and have three reportable segments.                
Revenues $ 4,842 $ 5,778 $ 5,577 $ 5,220 $ 6,035 $ 5,888 $ 5,356 $ 22,611 $ 22,258
EBT 559 (800) $ 934 $ 317 (60) 417 $ 843 392 2,987
Total assets 34,246 32,718       $ 65,498   32,718 $ 65,498
Cost of revenues (2,188)       (2,663)        
Research and development expense (1,269)       (1,420)        
Selling, general and administrative expense (526)       (773)        
Other expenses (149)       (1,183)        
Interest expense (156)       (170)        
Investment and other income, net 5       114        
Reconciling Items [Member]                  
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                  
Revenues 58       88        
EBT (637)       (1,880)        
Total assets 27,861 26,926           26,926  
Cost of revenues (114)       (117)        
Research and development expense (147)       (280)        
Selling, general and administrative expense (64)       (161)        
Other expenses (149)       (1,183)        
Interest expense (153)       (170)        
Investment and other income, net 20       124        
Reconciling Items [Member] | Cost of revenues [Member]                  
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                  
Unallocated acquisition-related expenses 103       106        
Reconciling Items [Member] | Research and development expenses [Member]                  
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                  
Unallocated acquisition-related expenses 1       2        
Reconciling Items [Member] | Selling, general and administrative expenses [Member]                  
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                  
Unallocated acquisition-related expenses $ 7       76        
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member] | Reconciling Items [Member]                  
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                  
Segment reporting, change in measurement methods In fiscal 2018, all of the costs related to pre-commercial research and development of 5G technologies, of which $100 million was recorded in the first quarter of fiscal 2018, were included in unallocated corporate research and development expenses. Beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2019, all research and development costs associated with 5G technologies are included in segment results.                
Change of Segment Methodology [Member] | Reconciling Items [Member]                  
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                  
Research and development expense         100        
QCT [Member]                  
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                  
Segment reporting, change in measurement methods During the first quarter of fiscal 2019, we combined our Small Cells business, which sells products designed for the implementation of small cells to address the challenge of meeting the increased demand for mobile data, into our QCT segment. Revenues and operating results related to the Small Cells business were included in nonreportable segments through the end of fiscal 2018. Prior period segment information has not been adjusted to conform to the new segment presentation as such adjustments are insignificant.                
Revenues $ 3,739       4,651        
EBT 598       955        
Total assets $ 2,684 3,041           3,041  
QTL [Member]                  
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                  
Segment reporting, change in measurement methods Additionally, beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2019, certain research and development costs associated with early research and development that have historically been included in our QCT segment are allocated to our QTL segment. The net effect of these changes negatively impacted QTL’s EBT by $122 million and did not have a significant impact on QCT EBT in the first quarter of fiscal 2019.                
Revenues $ 1,018       1,266        
EBT 590       854        
Total assets 2,405 1,472           1,472  
QSI [Member]                  
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                  
Revenues 27       30        
EBT 8       11        
Total assets 1,296 $ 1,279           $ 1,279  
Other Segments [Member]                  
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                  
Revenues 58       88        
EBT (30)       $ (93)        
Impact to QTL Segment EBT due to Segment Methodology Change [Member]                  
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                  
EBT $ (122)