Xiaomi: New In-House Mobile Chip XringO1 Set to Debut in May *

In a bold move to strengthen its control over core technologies, Chinese tech giant Xiaomi announced it will launch its latest self-developed mobile chip, the XringO1, later this month. The reveal was made by Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun on his Weibo account, though specifics about the chip’s capabilities remain under wraps.

The XringO1 marks a major milestone in Xiaomi’s ongoing strategy to power its high-end devices with proprietary silicon. The initiative positions Xiaomi alongside industry heavyweights like Apple and Huawei, both of which have long relied on custom-designed chips to tightly integrate hardware and software, enhancing user experience and ecosystem efficiency.

According to a source familiar with the project, the XringO1 is built on ARM architecture and produced by TSMC using its cutting-edge 3-nanometer process — one of the most advanced chip fabrication technologies currently in commercial use. Notably, Xiaomi originally began its in-house chip program in 2014, debuting the 28-nm Pengpai S1 mobile processor in 2017. However, high development costs and technical challenges caused the company to pivot toward less complex components, like image signal processors and power management chips, until mobile chip efforts resumed in 2021.

They incorporate a unique processor into their premium product range

This new chip signals Xiaomi’s ambition to eventually incorporate custom silicon into its premium product lineup, including smartphones and tablets. Earlier this year, Xiaomi launched its flagship Xiaomi 15 Ultra, starting at 6,499 yuan (approx. $901), powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chip. Qualcomm has long been Xiaomi’s primary chip supplier, with the U.S. company reporting a 46% surge in revenue from China in its latest fiscal year.

Interestingly, while U.S. export restrictions introduced last year have prevented TSMC from manufacturing AI chips for mainland Chinese clients on advanced nodes like 7nm or better, mobile application processors — like the XringO1 — have largely avoided these curbs, giving Xiaomi room to maneuver in a highly competitive domestic market.

Why It Matters

This move isn’t just about performance — it’s about supply chain security and market independence. As tensions between the U.S. and China continue to impact technology supply lines, in-house chip development has become a strategic priority for Chinese tech companies. Xiaomi’s XringO1 announcement underscores this broader industry trend — following in the footsteps of Huawei, which stunned the market with its self-developed 7nm Kirin 9000S chip last year despite sanctions. As Xiaomi joins the race for proprietary mobile silicon, the next battlefront won’t just be about specs — it’ll be about control.