Arm, the UK-based company renowned for licensing core CPU designs to tech giants like Qualcomm, Apple, and Nvidia, is reportedly gearing up to enter the chip-designing space itself. This move could shake up the entire gaming and PC industry, potentially pitting Arm against its customers while introducing substantial price increases of up to 300%.
Traditionally, Arm has focused on licensing its CPU technology to companies that incorporate it into their own processors, such as Apple’s M-series chips and Nvidia’s AI-focused Grace CPU. However, recent reports indicate that Arm is planning to create complete chips, cutting out its usual middlemen. This development would not only make Arm a direct competitor to its current partners but could also trigger sweeping changes across the gaming, PC, and portable device markets.
If Arm enters the chip-making arena, the portable gaming market could see significant disruption. Devices such as handheld gaming consoles, smartphones, and mini PCs that currently rely on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chips may have the option to source directly from Arm. Companies like Valve, which reportedly has been working on an Arm-based Steam Deck, could benefit from this shift, as could developers leveraging Arm’s potential new designs for gaming applications.
The financial implications of Arm’s rumored price hike could further complicate the landscape. Analysts warn that such increases would likely pass down to customers, potentially driving up costs for end-user devices. This concern adds another layer of tension to Arm’s growing dominance in the chip market.
Arm’s CEO Rene Haas has made bold statements about the company’s aggressive direction, signaling that many current industry players might face significant challenges. The effects are already being felt; Qualcomm, for example, recently won a license dispute with Arm, but other companies like Samsung have reportedly reduced their reliance on Arm’s designs to avoid potential supply chain issues.
The broader tech industry is also preparing for Arm’s expanding influence. Nvidia, after being blocked from acquiring Arm in 2021, has developed its 20-core Grace CPU with MediaTek, showcasing its readiness to adapt. Meanwhile, Apple’s move to Arm-based M-series chips has demonstrated the architecture’s potential for gaming, particularly on efficient, lower-power devices.
As Arm reportedly prepares for this strategic shift, the ripple effects could reshape how hardware manufacturers and gamers approach next-generation devices. Whether this means more powerful handhelds or higher costs for cutting-edge PCs, one thing is certain: the gaming and PC industries are bracing for major changes.
