Applied Materials vs. Qualcomm: Which Tech Stock Is a Better Buy in 2026?

Key Points Applied Materials provides critical engineering equipment to the world's leading semiconductor manufacturers. Qualcomm dominates the mobile processor market while expanding its footprint in automotive and AI technologies. Which semiconductor stock deserves a spot in your portfolio? 10 stocks we like better than Applied Materials › As the digital economy matures in 2026, many investors are choosing between the companies that build chipmaking tools and those that design the chips. Should you favor Applied Materials (NASDAQ:AMAT) or QUALCOMM (NASDAQ:QCOM) ? Applied Materials provides the essential machinery used by factories to fabricate advanced semiconductors.