Segment Information Specified Items Included in Segment EBT (Details) (USD $) In Millions | 12 Months Ended | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Sep. 25, 2011 | Sep. 26, 2010 | Sep. 27, 2009 | |
| Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] | |||
| Interest expense | $ (114) | $ (43) | $ (13) |
QCT [Member] | |||
| Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] | |||
| Revenue from external customers | 8,856 | 6,686 | 6,125 |
| Intersegment revenues | 3 | 9 | 10 |
| Interest income | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| Interest expense | 1 | 1 | 0 |
QTL [Member] | |||
| Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] | |||
| Revenue from external customers | 5,422 | 3,659 | 3,603 |
| Intersegment revenues | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Interest income | 1 | 2 | 12 |
| Interest expense | 0 | 0 | 1 |
QWI [Member] | |||
| Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] | |||
| Revenue from external customers | 656 | 628 | 638 |
| Intersegment revenues | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Interest income | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| Interest expense | 0 | (4) | 1 |
QSI [Member] | |||
| Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] | |||
| Revenue from external customers | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Intersegment revenues | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Interest income | 20 | 8 | 3 |
| Interest expense | $ 99 | $ 27 | $ 0 |