Xiaomi Makes Its Mark in the Chipset Sector with the Robust Xring 01 Developed on a 3nm Node
In a daring step that underscores its expanding ambitions in the semiconductor industry, Xiaomi has officially launched its inaugural high-performance in-house mobile chipset — the Xring 01. This latest system-on-chip (SoC) represents a crucial achievement for the Chinese tech powerhouse, which has historically depended on external chip manufacturers like Qualcomm and MediaTek for its smartphone processing units.
Constructed on TSMC’s advanced second-generation 3nm process node, the Xring 01 is engineered to rival flagship products from established industry players. Featuring a 10-core CPU design and a 16-core Arm Immortalis-G925 GPU, Xiaomi is evidently focused on providing exceptional performance and efficiency.
An In-Depth Look at the Xring 01 Design
The Xring 01 utilizes Arm’s state-of-the-art v9.2 architecture and incorporates a tri-cluster CPU setup that distinguishes it from the more typical octa-core architectures employed by competitors. The 10-core configuration consists of:
– 2x Cortex-X925 performance cores clocked at 3.9GHz
– 4x Cortex-A725 high-efficiency cores operating at 3.4GHz
– 2x Cortex-A725 cores running at 1.9GHz
– 2x Cortex-A520 power-saving cores at 1.8GHz
This arrangement is optimized via Arm’s CoreLink Interconnect system, which enhances communication among the various core clusters, facilitating improved task distribution and energy efficiency.
On the graphics front, the Immortalis-G925 GPU with 16 shader cores provides a substantial improvement over MediaTek’s Dimensity 9400, which is built with a 12-core GPU. This positions the Xring 01 especially well for gaming and graphics-heavy applications.
Enhanced AI and Imaging Features
Xiaomi has further incorporated a 6-core Neural Processing Unit (NPU) capable of achieving 44 TOPS (trillions of operations per second), matching Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Elite in terms of AI capabilities. The chipset also integrates Xiaomi’s fourth-generation Image Signal Processor (ISP), expected to elevate computational photography and video processing features.
These enhancements render the Xring 01 a comprehensive platform for contemporary smartphones, where features powered by AI and camera performance are pivotal differentiators.
Real-World Application: Xiaomi 15S Pro and Pad 7 Ultra
Xiaomi is introducing the Xring 01 in two of its newest devices: the Xiaomi 15S Pro smartphone and the Pad 7 Ultra tablet.
The 15S Pro is fundamentally an updated iteration of the 15 Pro, now fueled by the Xring 01 instead of a Qualcomm chip. It also boasts an increase in base storage to 512GB of UFS 4.1. However, this model is currently exclusive to the Chinese marketplace.
Conversely, the Pad 7 Ultra represents a more ambitious venture. It sports a 14-inch OLED display — a notable upgrade from the previous 11.2-inch LCD — and a sizable 12,000mAh battery. This tablet will play a crucial role in assessing the Xring 01’s performance in larger device formats.
Performance and Efficiency: Initial Benchmarks
Initial evaluations, including tests conducted by Chinese tech reviewer Geekerwan, indicate that the Xring 01 surpasses the Dimensity 9400 in several critical domains. The chipset’s CPU efficiency is reportedly comparable to Qualcomm and MediaTek’s latest models, marking a significant accomplishment for a first-generation product.
Nonetheless, one aspect where the Xring 01 is lacking is modem integration. Xiaomi is currently utilizing an external MediaTek T800 5G modem based on a 4nm node. This external approach adversely affects battery efficiency, with evaluations revealing that devices equipped with Qualcomm chips have a runtime that exceeds by up to 40 minutes under similar conditions.
To genuinely compete at the highest tier, Xiaomi must advance the development of its own integrated modem — a formidable challenge that only a handful of companies have managed successfully.
A Strategic Evolution and Long-Term Outlook
The introduction of the Xring 01 is part of a larger strategy by Xiaomi to minimize its dependence on outside chip suppliers and attain greater mastery over its hardware ecosystem. The company has pledged a ten-year investment of over $6.9 billion into its semiconductor division, which currently employs more than 2,500 engineers.
This is not Xiaomi’s inaugural venture into chip design — the firm previously launched the Surge S1 in 2017, a budget-friendly chipset. However, the Xring 01 represents a far more ambitious and competent platform, signaling Xiaomi’s serious commitment to becoming a significant force in the chipset industry.
Xiaomi has also unveiled the Xring T1, a fresh smartwatch platform that will drive its forthcoming wearables. This diversification further emphasizes the
