Xiaomi unveils flagship chip XRING 01, plans $6.9B investment in industry
Xiaomi has announced a major advancement in its semiconductor ambitions with the unveiling of its in-house XRING 01 system-on-chip (SoC), manufactured on a 3-nanometre (nm) process.
This makes Xiaomi the first Chinese company to develop a smartphone chip using 3nm technology, according to Chinese media outlet Ming Pao.
The announcement was made by Xiaomi Founder and CEO Lei Jun via Chinese social platform Weibo on Monday.
The XRING 01 is reportedly manufactured by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), placing Xiaomi alongside Apple, Samsung and Huawei as the fourth smartphone brand globally to design its own mobile SoC using 3nm technology.
In a parallel strategic move, Xiaomi also revealed plans to invest 50 billion yuan (approximately $6.94 billion) in chip development over the next decade.
The long-term investment, which begins in 2025, underscores the company’s commitment to reducing reliance on foreign semiconductor suppliers amid global supply chain shifts and geopolitical pressures.
A Xiaomi spokesperson confirmed the investment figure to the Wall Street Journal, stating the funds will be directed towards advancing proprietary chip design and related R&D initiatives.
According to The Daily Star, Xiaomi has already allocated 13.5 billion yuan to research and development for the XRING 01 chip, supported by a team of over 2,500 employees.
The chip marks the company's latest attempt to enter the competitive semiconductor landscape, following the underwhelming performance of its first chip, the Surge S1, launched in 2017.
As part of its broader product strategy, Xiaomi is set to unveil several new devices this week in conjunction with its 15th anniversary celebrations.
According to GSMArena, the company will launch the Xiaomi 15S Pro smartphone, Xiaomi Pad 7 Ultra tablet and its first electric SUV, the YU7, on 22 May.
The XRING 01 chip launch positions Xiaomi as a serious contender in the global semiconductor race, as Chinese tech firms intensify efforts to build self-sufficient supply chains amid mounting international scrutiny.