Xiaomi unveils the Xuanjie O1, a self-developed phone chip set to launch in late May

Xiaomi to launch self-made chip Xuanjie O1 for Xiaomi 15S Pro in May to reduce third-party reliance.

: Xiaomi announced the upcoming release of its self-developed smartphone SoC chip, Xuanjie O1, expecting to power the Xiaomi 15S Pro flagship phone. This move signifies Xiaomi's strategic effort to regain control over core technologies, reducing reliance on external suppliers, and improving long-term competitiveness. Developed by Shanghai Xuanjie Technology, the chip is anticipated to run on TSMC's 3nm process with significant performance upgrades. This is Xiaomi's second self-developed processor after the Surge S1 released in 2017, highlighting its commitment to advanced and independent innovation in semiconductors.

Xiaomi unveiled its new smartphone chip, the Xuanjie O1, which is set to debut in late May. This chip is significant as it represents Xiaomi's dedication to in-house chip development and innovation in semiconductor technology. It will likely power the upcoming Xiaomi 15S Pro, marking the company's 15th anniversary flagship phone release. Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun announced this development on Weibo, showcasing the company's renewal in designing smartphone components internally.

Xiaomi last ventured into custom chip design with the Surge S1 eight years ago, which saw its debut in the Mi 5C smartphone. However, the Surge S1 struggled in the market because of issues related to modem capabilities, limiting its support of certain network standards. Despite this, Xiaomi's move to create the Xuanjie O1 signals a strategic shift to reduce dependency on third-party chip suppliers and regain technological leadership.

The technical specifications for the Xuanjie O1 are noteworthy. Experts expect it to be fabricated using TSMC's advanced 3nm process and to feature a tri-cluster CPU architecture with an 8-core or 10-core setup, including the high-performance Arm Cortex-X925 core. The GPU integrated is the Immortalis-G925, with potential overall performance similar to Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen2. For connectivity, it may utilize an external 5G modem supplied by MediaTek or Unisoc.

The chip was developed by Shanghai Xuanjie Technology, a Xiaomi subsidiary launched in 2021 with a focus on high-performance processors for smartphones. Headed by Xiaomi vice president Zeng Xuezhong, the subsidiary demonstrates Xiaomi's ambition to drive independent innovation and advancement in semiconductor technology. By investing in internal capabilities for chip design, Xiaomi not only strengthens its product offerings but also fortifies its competitive stance in the tech marketplace.

Zeng Xuezhong, previously CEO at Unisoc, steers Shanghai Xuanjie Technology with a registered capital of RMB 1.92 billion. This strategic investment and leadership underline Xiaomi's commitment to retaining control and fostering growth in its core technology components. As China continues to develop its technological footprint globally, companies like Xiaomi prove their capabilities through significant R&D investments.

Sources: Weibo, Icsmart, TechNode