Xiaomi has never hidden its ambitions for independence. Today, the Chinese brand already uses an internally developed operating system, partly based on Android, called HyperOS. And the next step, to become even more autonomous, would be the use of its own processors for smartphones. In any case, that’s what is suggested by an article published this week by Bloomberg.
Currently, Xiaomi smartphones use chips designed by the American company Qualcomm or by Mediatek, based in Taiwan. But according to Bloomberg’s sources, Xiaomi is preparing the launch of its smartphone chip which would allow the company to reduce its dependence on these suppliers. And mass production of this chip would begin in 2025.
A comeback?
For the moment, caution remains in order, since this is unofficial information. But in any case, it is important to remember that in 2017, Xiaomi had already tried to free itself from smartphone processor suppliers by developing its Surge S1 chip. However, there was no successor. If Xiaomi manages to develop a chip for smartphones capable of competing with those of Qualcomm or Mediatek, it will be able to boast of controlling the hardware, software, as well as the chips of its products, like Apple or Google.
At the same time, it is a difficult task. First of all, competing with the performance of Apple chips or Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite will not be easy. Additionally, as Bloomberg notes, Xiaomi may have difficulty getting its chips into production. Indeed, TSMC, the leader in this sector (which manufactures Apple and Qualcomm chips) would face pressure from the United States to work less with Chinese companies.
Otherwise, it is important to specify that, if Xiaomi’s current models use Qualcomm Snapdragon or Mediatek processors, some already integrate components designed internally to manage certain functionalities, such as charging, the camera or even the network.
An innovation that would also benefit electric cars
In addition to its smartphones, Xiaomi’s expertise in the field of semiconductors could also benefit, in the long term, its electric cars. Xiaomi’s new automotive subsidiary was launched this year, and it is already targeting 130,000 units delivered before the end of the year.
- By developing its own HyperOS operating system, Xiaomi has reduced its dependence on the Android operating system
- And the manufacturer could also launch production of a processor for smartphones designed in-house in 2025
- In the long term, the expertise that Xiaomi could acquire in the field of semiconductors could also benefit its automotive subsidiary
