In a noteworthy stride towards technological independence, the Chinese tech powerhouse Xiaomi has reportedly made a significant advancement in its enduring goal of creating proprietary chips. Recent reports indicate that the company has notified its staff about the formation of a new “chip platform division,” signaling a critical juncture in its mission to diminish dependence on external chip producers such as Qualcomm and MediaTek.
The selection of Qin Muyun, who brings vast expertise from his previous role at Qualcomm, reflects Xiaomi’s serious dedication to this venture. Qin will report directly to Li Jun, the general manager of Xiaomi’s product division, to guarantee that chip development aligns with the company’s overall product strategies.
This internal restructuring comes on the heels of Xiaomi Chairman and CEO Lei Jun’s announcement in October 2023, where he disclosed plans to invest around 30 billion yuan in 2025 to facilitate the company’s in-house chip production. This financial commitment highlights Xiaomi’s aspiration to increase its self-sufficiency and to innovate beyond the confines of third-party suppliers.
While Xiaomi has not publicly confirmed the formation of its new chip platform division, leaks indicate that the company is already making strides on its inaugural custom chip. As reported by Gizmochina, the anticipated chip may include a Cortex X925 core running at 3.2GHz — identical to that of MediaTek’s flagship Dimensity 9400 SoC. However, speculation suggests that the remaining cores might be derived from older architecture, implying Xiaomi could initially deploy the chip in mid-range or entry-level devices rather than its flagship series.
Xiaomi’s pursuit of custom chip development is not a recent endeavor. The company has previously collaborated closely with Qualcomm and MediaTek, often enhancing third-party SoCs with its own improvements, such as upgraded power management and graphics capabilities. Nonetheless, the ultimate aim has been to gain greater control over its hardware ecosystem — a tactic akin to those employed by tech giants such as Apple and Google.
Google, for example, recently shifted from Samsung Foundry to TSMC for its Tensor G5 chip, a transition that might motivate Xiaomi to pursue a similar path. TSMC’s advanced manufacturing capabilities position it as a probable candidate for producing Xiaomi’s future chips, especially if the company lacks its own manufacturing facilities.
Despite encouraging developments, Xiaomi confronts numerous challenges. Crafting a competitive chip necessitates not only significant financial outlay but also access to state-of-the-art fabrication technologies and a proficient engineering team. Additionally, the company must ensure its custom chips perform competitively, matching industry leaders in performance, efficiency, and reliability.
If successful, Xiaomi’s proprietary chips could launch as soon as late 2025 or 2026, potentially revolutionizing the company’s product offerings and providing it with a competitive advantage in the global smartphone industry. This initiative could also minimize supply chain vulnerabilities and grant Xiaomi greater flexibility in product design and innovation.
Xiaomi’s internal revelation regarding its new chip platform division represents a daring stride towards technological autonomy. With proficient leadership, significant financial backing, and a defined strategic direction, the company is poised to emerge as a formidable contender in the custom chip sector. While the journey ahead is fraught with complexities, the potential benefits — encompassing performance, brand distinction, and market dominance — render this endeavor highly anticipated.
