The smartphone chip market it dominates is nevertheless an increasingly challenging one for Qualcomm. Slowing growth, litigation and rising Chinese competition are among its problems, but also the trend for the largest, richest handset makers to design their own chips. Apple has its own processors, and given its current legal battle with Qualcomm, is likely to accelerate the process of switching to Intel for some modems. Samsung splits its favors between its own SoCs and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon, but the more its silicon drives its profits, the more its handset arm is likely to feel the corporate pressure to stay inhouse. Huawei, which now claims to be the second largest smartphone vendor, is increasing its reliance on its HiSilicon subsidiary. And…