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Qualcomm announced an agreement to acquire Arduino on October 7, 2025; by December 2, Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon said the deal had recently closed, and Arduino’s current FAQ confirms the acquisition. Arduino says it will retain its brand, tools, multi-vendor support and open-source foundation. The most tangible product introduced alongside the deal is UNO Q, a board pairing Linux-capable computing with real-time microcontroller control.
What happened—and what is known about the deal?
Qualcomm Technologies announced the acquisition agreement on October 7, 2025. At the time, closing remained subject to regulatory approval and customary conditions. On December 2, 2025, Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon said at the UBS Global Technology and AI Conference that Qualcomm had recently closed the acquisition. Arduino’s current acquisition FAQ also says Qualcomm Technologies has acquired Arduino. The consulted official materials do not identify the precise closing date or disclose financial terms.
Qualcomm described Arduino as having “33M+ active users” in its October 2025 announcement. That is Qualcomm’s company-reported figure; the release did not explain its counting method, so it should not be treated as an independently verified count. Qualcomm’s announcement
Why did Qualcomm buy Arduino?
Qualcomm’s stated strategy is to bring its processing, graphics, computer-vision and AI technologies together with Arduino’s approachable development tools and community. Qualcomm positioned Arduino alongside its Edge Impulse and Foundries.io integrations as part of a broader edge-computing platform spanning hardware, software and cloud services. Arduino’s FAQ likewise describes the goal as a comprehensive edge stack from hardware to cloud. These are the companies’ strategic aims, not evidence that future products or commercial outcomes are guaranteed.
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![Arduino Uno REV3 [A000066] - ATmega328P Microcontroller, 16MHz, 14 Digital I/O Pins, 6 Analog Inputs, 32KB Flash, USB Connectivity, Compatible with Arduino IDE for DIY Projects and Prototyping](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/515P6aYSP4L._SL160_.jpg)
- ATmega328P Microcontroller: Powered by the reliable ATmega328P, running at 16 MHz with 32KB of flash memory, 2KB SRAM, and 1KB EEPROM, offering ample resources for a wide range of basic to advanced electronics projects.
- 14 Digital I/O Pins & 6 Analog Inputs: Features 14 digital I/O pins (6 of which support PWM output) and 6 analog inputs (10-bit resolution), providing flexible options for sensors, motors, and other external components.
- USB Connectivity for Easy Programming: The built-in USB port allows for direct programming and serial communication, enabling a simple connection to your computer for sketch uploading and debugging through the Arduino IDE.
- Compatible with Arduino IDE: Full compatibility with the Arduino IDE ensures easy access to a vast array of libraries, code examples, and community-driven projects, making the Uno a great choice for both beginners and experienced makers.
- Widely Used in Education & Prototyping: The Arduino Uno is a standard in educational environments, widely used for learning and teaching electronics and programming. It's perfect for prototyping, robotics, IoT projects, and more.
Nakul Duggal, a Qualcomm Technologies executive, said the combination could help developers create intelligent solutions and provide “a path towards global commercialization” through Qualcomm’s ecosystem. Arduino CEO Fabio Violante described the deal as a way to “supercharge” accessibility and innovation. Those statements explain the companies’ rationale; they do not establish that Arduino projects will automatically reach commercial scale. Qualcomm’s announcement
What changes for Arduino users?
Arduino says the acquisition will not end its independent brand or mission. It says it will continue supporting existing boards, microcontrollers and microprocessors from multiple vendors, rather than limiting the platform to Qualcomm hardware. For people maintaining existing projects, Arduino’s stated position is continuity of support—not a requirement to replace boards or switch vendors.
Rank #2
- Original ATmega328P CH340 chip is used. Improved new version CH340G Replace FT232RL.
- LAFVIN Nano V3.0 card is 100% compatible with the Nano card, and fully compatible with Windows, Mac and Linux operating system.
- Works the same as original Nano, runs perfectly on programming software.
- Using Atmel Atmega328P-AU MCU, Support ISP download; Support USB download and Power.
- LAFVIN Nano CH340 controller is a compact board similar to the R3 board, smaller and breadboard-friendly than Diecimila.
Arduino also says its open-source foundation will continue to include hardware schematics, SDKs, libraries and IDEs released under open-source licenses. That does not mean every Arduino-related service is open source: Arduino distinguishes its cloud applications, where restrictions on reverse engineering continue to apply. Read the license and service terms for the specific component you use. Arduino’s Qualcomm FAQ
In a November 21, 2025 post, Arduino said the acquisition did not change its handling of user data or its application of open-source principles. It said an update to its terms clarified data practices, optional AI features, paid-service billing and refunds, and legal compliance. These are Arduino’s descriptions of its policies at that time; consult the terms-update explanation and the live legal documents for current terms.
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- Powerful: The Arduino Nano V3.0 Board Microcontroller Built with ATmega328P and CH340 chips instead of FT232, Improved new version CH340G Replace FT232RL, making it ideal for beginners
- Seamless Compatibility: Fully compatible with Arduino Nano, supporting Arduino IDE, ISP programming and USB download. Works seamlessly with Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems for a hassle-free experience.
- Versatile I/O & Compact Design: Features 14 digital I/O pins (6 PWM outputs), 6 analog inputs, a 16MHz quartz oscillator, USB-C power socket, ICSP port, and reset button. Its compact, breadboard-friendly design ensures easy handling and integration.
- Flexible Power Supply Options: Supports multiple power sources, including USB-C, 6-12V unregulated external power, or 5V regulated external power. The Nano board intelligently switches to the higher voltage source automatically—no jumper selection required.
- Excellent Communication Capabilities: Designed for seamless communication with PCs and arduino microcontrollers, the Nano board is fully compatible with multiple operating systems and offers stable and reliable performance for a variety of projects.
What products show the direction of the partnership?
UNO Q: Linux computing with real-time control
Introduced with the acquisition announcement, UNO Q is Arduino’s clearest concrete example of the combined direction. Arduino describes it as a “dual-brain” board: a Qualcomm Dragonwing QRB2210 microprocessor handles Linux-capable computing, while an STM32U585 microcontroller handles real-time control. The two-part design is intended for projects that need both a capable application environment and deterministic control tasks, rather than only the simpler microcontroller workflow associated with many traditional Arduino boards.
Arduino and Qualcomm also presented Arduino App Lab as a unified environment for workflows involving a real-time operating system, Linux, Python and AI. Arduino said UNO Q could be ordered through its store and named distributors in October 2025; that announcement does not establish current stock or pricing. Check Arduino’s UNO Q product page for current details.
Rank #4
- START CODING WITH THE ELEGOO UNO R3: Connect the included USB cable, upload your first sketch, and build sensor, motor, display, and automation projects, making it a practical controller for maker desks, classrooms, coding clubs, and robotics labs
- ATMEGA328P CORE FOR EVERYDAY PROJECTS: A 16 MHz clock, 32 KB flash, 14 digital I/O pins with 6 PWM outputs and 6 analog inputs provide a versatile foundation for LEDs, buttons, relays, servos, displays and sensors
- RELIABLE USB PROGRAMMING AND CLEAR WIRING: The ATmega16U2 USB interface supports sketch uploads and serial communication, while clearly labeled headers help simplify connections to jumper wires, shields and modules
- POWER AND EXPAND YOUR WAY: Run the board from USB or a recommended 7-12 V external supply, then add compatible shields and modules for data logging, automation, robotics, test fixtures and custom electronics projects
- BOARD AND USB CABLE INCLUDED: Comes with 1 ELEGOO UNO R3 development board and 1 USB-A to USB-B data cable; breadboard, sensors, shields and power adapter are not included, and younger learners should work with an experienced adult
VENTUNO Q: a later, higher-performance direction
On March 9, 2026, Arduino announced VENTUNO Q, describing a Dragonwing IQ8 Series processor paired with a dedicated STM32H5 microcontroller, along with integrated AI and robotics workflows and compatibility with Arduino and third-party expansion hardware. Arduino claims NPU acceleration of “up to 40 dense TOPS”; that is a vendor specification claim, not an independent benchmark. The announcement said the product would be available soon at that time, so it does not confirm current availability. Arduino’s VENTUNO Q announcement
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How should you decide whether these boards fit your project?
UNO Q and VENTUNO Q point toward projects that combine higher-level computing or AI workloads with real-time hardware control. A conventional microcontroller board may remain the simpler fit when a project needs only sensor input, actuator control or another focused embedded task. Choose based on the workload and the exact board’s documentation, not on the acquisition alone.
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Quick Recap
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- Maximum performance: the Pro micro microcontroller development board runs at 5 V/16 MHz and supported by IDE V1.0.1 for smooth programming. Suitable for Arduino.
- Versatile connections: Pro micro with 4 x 10-bit ADC pins, 12 x digital I/Os and serial Rx and Tx hardware connections, you have all the ports you need.
- Easy programming: Pro micro simply connect the motherboard to the on-board micro USB port and program it. If it is not detected, just install the driver.
- Multifunctional I/O: Pro micro there are 54 digital input/output pins available, including analogue inputs/outputs, as well as interfaces such as PWM, SPI, I2C etc., which offer a wealth of hardware connection options.
- Good compatibility: the seamless integration with the Arduino IDE and the extensive development tools and libraries ensure a smooth learning curve and make it a good choice for beginners.
- Separate application computing from real-time control. Check whether your project needs Linux or Python alongside timing-sensitive microcontroller work.
- Verify the software path. Confirm that the operating systems, libraries, IDE workflow and AI tools you plan to use are supported by the specific board.
- Check hardware fit. Confirm connector, voltage, pinout and expansion compatibility for each shield, sensor or peripheral; a shared Arduino ecosystem does not guarantee that every accessory works with every board.
- Check practical purchase details. Confirm current price, stock and authorized sales channels before choosing a board. The dated announcements alone do not establish today’s availability.
- Treat performance claims as claims. The cited announcements provide vendor specifications, not independent head-to-head testing or a universal comparison with other edge-AI boards.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
