Jon Peddie Research (JPR) today announced its RISC-V Market Insights – Q3 2026 Update, examining a market in which major semiconductor companies are considering RISC-V not only as an alternative instruction set but as a way to gain control over their technology roadmaps and commercial relationships. The report finds growing interest in integrated platforms and application-specific silicon, alongside continuing challenges in software maturity, investment requirements, and profitability.
A recently disclosed Qualcomm roadmap, introduced during litigation with Arm, contemplates RISC-V processors for data centers and value smartphones in 2029 and premium smartphones in 2031. The documents offer unusually direct evidence of RISC-V consideration in a Tier 1 supplier’s long-range plans.
“RISC-V’s next phase will be driven less by start-ups challenging established processor suppliers and more by established semiconductor companies using RISC-V to challenge the commercial arrangements on which the industry has previously operated,” said David Harold, senior analyst at JPR. “The Qualcomm roadmap is a significant signal of strategic engagement. But its timescales also remind us that a competitive processor platform needs far more than an open instruction set.”
Key findings in the Q3 update
The report argues that open architecture does not automatically produce commercial independence. Integrated RISC-V systems can reduce reliance on a single ISA owner while introducing new dependencies on software, integration tools, and platform suppliers.
“RISC-V is becoming strategically difficult to ignore, but we should not confuse serious planning, funding, or technical capability with profitable production at scale,” said Harold. “The industry now has to demonstrate who can turn architectural freedom into products customers can adopt and support economically.”
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Pricing and availability
For subscription and single-issue pricing for the Q3’26 RISC-V Market Insights report, contact Jon Peddie Research or visit jonpeddie.com.