Qualcomm reportedly raising AI chip prices amid supply tightness and sustained enterprise demand for inference accelerators.

Qualcomm, one of the largest suppliers of processors for consumer electronics ranging from smartphones and laptops to standalone VR headsets, is set to raise the prices of its chips by "double digit" percentages, according to a report from Bloomberg. The move will impact most major technology companies, including Valve, whose Steam Frame VR device is built around a Qualcomm chip.

Qualcomm processors are used across a broad range of devices—from ARM-based laptops to smartphones and televisions—making a significant price increase a wide-reaching blow to the consumer electronics market. The pricing pressure is compounded by an anticipated chip shortage in the coming year. Most manufacturers rely on TSMC for processor production, and the foundry cannot keep pace with rising demand from major customers including Apple, Qualcomm, and Nvidia. The result will be both higher component costs and reduced chip supply for consumer electronics.

For Steam Frame customers, there is some immediate relief: Valve has already manufactured units ready for sale and will not face component cost increases on existing inventory. However, future supply could be affected, meaning those who miss the first wave of availability may face higher prices. Similar pricing pressures loom for the Steam Machine if RAM and SSD costs continue to rise.