Xiaomi currently relies primarily on Qualcomm and MediaTek chips when it comes to smartphone processors. However, the manufacturer now wants to follow the example of Samsung and Google and focus more on developing its own chips.
The processor is one of the most expensive components in smartphone production - partly because almost all manufacturers are dependent on Qualcomm and MediaTek. In recent years, more and more reports have emerged that Qualcomm in particular is diligently increasing the purchase prices for Snapdragon chips. It is therefore not surprising that manufacturers such as Samsung and Google are increasingly relying on in-house chip production. Google has been relying on its own Tensor chips for several years, while Samsung equips almost all Galaxy smartphones with Exynos chips.
Xiaomi chip with 3 nm production
Xiaomi now also wants to enter the chip business and become less dependent on Qualcomm and MediaTek. The Chinese state media has now reported that Xiaomi has achieved success in this respect: the manufacturer is said to have developed its own chip, which is produced using the advanced 3-Nm manufacturing process. Mass production is also said to be in the planning stage.
It is not yet clear what the Xiaomi SoC will be called or how powerful it will be. It is also not yet known when the first smartphone with the in-house development will be launched on the market. If mass production starts quickly, we should see the first phones with the chip as early as next year. Personally, I suspect that the Xiaomi SoC will initially be found in the mid-range.
Huawei as a role model?
Xiaomi is not the first Chinese manufacturer to develop its own smartphone chips. Huawei has also tried to produce its own high-end processors with the Kirin processors. Although the company was making good progress, the US sanctions brought development to an abrupt halt. Otherwise, most manufacturers have so far only ventured into smaller chips, for example for battery optimization.
