Qualcomm ramps up 5G smartphone and laptop bets

Qualcomm Inc is ramping up its effort to put 5G mobile phones within reach of billions of people and backing new connected laptops aimed at the growing number of people working at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The U.S. chipmaker launched on Thursday a 5G-ready version of its Snapdragon 4 chips that will run on cheaper phones, priced at $125-$250, that will hit markets in the first quarter of next year.