The Chinese company strengthens its commitment to technological self-sufficiency in response to rising costs of chips from Qualcomm and MediaTek.
Xiaomi has taken a key strategic step toward technological independence by creating a new division dedicated to the development of its own processors. This unit, officially named the Chip Platform Department, will be led by Qin Muyun, a former senior executive at Qualcomm, who will report directly to CEO Lei Jun. The goal is clear: reduce reliance on traditional suppliers like Qualcomm and MediaTek, whose prices have increased due to the use of more advanced lithography technologies.
A renewed commitment to SoC development
This move comes at a crucial time, just as Xiaomi is expected to soon present its first 3-nanometer SoC, which was reported last year to have successfully passed its tape-out phase (the stage before mass production). While there is no official announcement yet, rumors suggest that the new Xiaomi 15S Pro could be the first smartphone to incorporate this internally developed chip.
Xiaomi has experimented with processor development in the past. In 2017, it launched the Surge S1, an 8-core processor manufactured on a 28 nm process, integrated into the Xiaomi 5C. Although the device did not have a significant commercial impact, it marked the beginning of the company’s journey in the semiconductor field. Since then, it has released other specialized chips—such as the Surge C for imaging, the P for fast charging, and the G for power management—that have served as a foundation for gaining experience.
Immediate goal: a 4 nm chip with ARM architecture
As it continues its path toward 3 nm, Xiaomi could launch a 4-nanometer chip in the coming months, with performance similar to that of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, although without its own cores, relying on standard ARM designs. This approach would allow the company to gain practical experience in integrating and optimizing high-performance chips.
The choice of Qin Muyun to lead the new department is not coincidental. His previous experience as a senior product and marketing director at Qualcomm could be vital in guiding Xiaomi’s team through the complex ecosystem of design, validation, and production of mobile semiconductors.
A long-term strategy
For Xiaomi, the development of its own chips not only represents a way to cut costs but also a strategic tool to differentiate technologically, enhance integration between hardware and software, and respond with greater flexibility to international trade restrictions. In addition, this move aligns with the efforts of the Chinese government to strengthen its semiconductor industry and reduce dependence on foreign suppliers in critical sectors.
In summary
- Xiaomi has created a new internal chip design department, led by Qin Muyun, a former executive at Qualcomm.
- The goal is to achieve technological self-sufficiency and reduce dependence on Qualcomm and MediaTek.
- The company has already completed the tape-out of a 3 nm SoC, though the first step will be to launch a 4 nm chip based on designs with ARM architecture.
- The Xiaomi 15S Pro could be the first device with the company’s own chip.
- This initiative represents a new chapter in Xiaomi’s technological race and an ambitious bet to compete globally in the chip arena.
Visible results from this new strategy are expected to arrive in the second half of 2025. In the meantime, the market is closely watching Xiaomi’s moves, which could become a significant player in the competitive world of mobile semiconductors.
Source: IThome