Xiaomi Plans to Expand Custom Chipsets for Mid-Range Smartphones and Follow Apple with New 5G Solutions

The Xiaomi XRING 01 serves as an exciting foundation for the company’s evolving smartphone portfolio. Notably, Xiaomi has marked a significant milestone by becoming the first Chinese company to unveil a silicon chip produced using the 3nm manufacturing process. This breakthrough paves the way for an array of future system-on-chips (SoCs) designed specifically for budget-friendly smartphones. An executive has indicated that the expansion of Xiaomi’s chip technology is just beginning, signaling promising developments ahead.

Xiaomi’s Commitment to Flagship Innovation and Beyond

Currently integrated into devices like the Xiaomi 15S Pro and the Pad 7 Ultra, the XRING 01 is positioned squarely within the premium sector. By introducing a custom SoC for its flagship models, Xiaomi demonstrates its capability to compete against established names in the industry, such as Qualcomm, MediaTek, and Apple, all of whom have extensive experience in chip design. Yet, Xiaomi’s ambitions are not confined solely to high-end models. A recent statement from Lu Weibing, a partner at Xiaomi, shared by @SKundojjala on X, highlights the company’s intention to diversify its offerings.

While Xiaomi’s current strategy emphasizes its flagship range, the company is also gearing up to extend its technological advancements to more affordable options in the future. The aspirations include developing a proprietary modem, akin to Apple’s C1 5G baseband chip. However, the company’s executive underscored that concrete timelines are still emerging, suggesting that the groundwork is being laid for future innovations.

Xiaomi gives itself 5-10 years to achieve reasonable financial model with smartphone chips. XRING’s initial focus is flagship only and Xiaomi will look into developing multi-mode 5G chips in the future. Says it’s early to talk about incremental GM.pic.twitter.com/gimKuzFOX5

— Sravan Kundojjala (@SKundojjala) May 27, 2025

Conceiving a custom 5G modem may present challenges, potentially mirroring the development hurdles experienced by Apple. Xiaomi might also consider leveraging existing technologies like the XRING 01 in more cost-effective smartphones and tablets, especially when the next version is released. It’s worth noting that a binned variant of the XRING 01 powers the Pad 7 Ultra, offering Xiaomi a strategic option to balance quality and affordability in its non-flagship devices.

For further updates, follow the developments on this topic: @SKundojjala.

Source & Images