2008 N cost reduction was 550M$ - 4500.
2015 Q cost reduction was 1.1B$ - 1500.
I agree that human factor is not only component. Copy-paste from https://www.cnbc.com/2015/07/22/qualcomm-q3-earnings-2015.html:
"The cost initiatives will come from layoffs, streamlining and reducing the number of offices, the company said.
Qualcomm will also reduce its annual share-based compensation grants by about $300 million. The costs are expected to be completed by the end of fiscal 2016."
I couldn't find other article where Q saved this with divesting / selling business. If this is the case Q employees are simply too expensive.
Today is different than 2015. 1500 today is simply not enough for hedge funds.
Now Q lost ZTE thus 500M$ business. If more sanctions come because of trade war, Q loses more customers. Apple forecast for smartphone sales is bad.
All these parameters give me that 1500 won't be enough. 2019 more layoffs to come.