Qualcomm Enters Strategic Partnership with Hero Esports

Qualcomm has announced a strategic partnership with Hero Esports, a prominent Chinese esports organization, aimed at boosting the use of the Snapdragon 8 Series mobile platform within the mobile esports scene.

As part of this collaboration, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chip will serve as the official chip for several major esports competitions in China, including the King Pro League (KPL) for Honor of Kings, the Peace Elite League (PEL) for Peacekeeper Elite, the CrossFire Mobile League (CFML), and the QQ Speed Mobile S League. All these leagues are managed by Hero Esports and owned by Tencent.

Qualcomm has been the official chip provider for the KPL since 2021, and this marks the first time the partnership has expanded to include three additional mobile esports leagues, covering a range of genres from MOBA to FPS and racing.

It’s important to note that these leagues utilize Android smartphones for gaming, steering clear of Apple’s iPhone. With Apple gradually reducing its modem orders, Qualcomm is strategically diversifying its revenue by strengthening its presence in the Android market. This move is a significant aspect of its strategy to pivot away from reliance on Apple.

According to insights from a financial podcast, the licensing agreement between Apple and Qualcomm is set to expire in 2027. Qualcomm’s CEO, Cristiano Amon, has indicated that if a new contract with Apple isn’t secured, the company is prepared to continue diversifying beyond its diminishing business with Apple.