Xiaomi Intensifies In-House Chip Efforts with New ‘Chip Platform Department’
Xiaomi is reportedly taking significant strides towards its long-held ambition of developing custom silicon, having allegedly established a dedicated “chip platform department.” According to a report from Chinese tech publication ITHome, the internal announcement signals a deeper commitment from the tech giant to reduce its reliance on external chip suppliers like Qualcomm and MediaTek for its future devices.
This strategic move is further underscored by the reported appointment of Qin Muyun to lead the new department. Muyun brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously served as Qualcomm’s senior director of product marketing. His expertise is expected to be instrumental in driving Xiaomi’s in-house chip development initiatives. Sources indicate that Muyun will report directly to Li Jun, the general manager of Xiaomi’s product department.
Significant Investment Underlines Ambition
Xiaomi has yet to officially confirm the existence of this new department. Nevertheless, the news aligns with earlier reports from last November. At the time, it was suggested that the company was setting aside a substantial 30 billion yuan (approximately RM18.1 billion) for custom chip investments in 2025. This, in turn, reflects a major financial commitment that underscores how serious Xiaomi is about gaining more control over its component supply chain. Furthermore, it indicates the company’s intention to optimise chip performance specifically for its own devices.
Adding fuel to the speculation, recent leaks, as reiterated by Gizmochina, hint at the specifications of Xiaomi’s first in-house chip. Reportedly, the silicon could feature a high-performance Cortex X925 core clocked at 3.2GHz. This is the same core found in MediaTek’s flagship Dimensity 9400 system-on-chip (SoC). However, the other cores are rumoured to be from an older generation. As a result, some suggest that Xiaomi’s initial custom chip might not debut in its flagship smartphone lineup.
Long-Standing Desire for Self-Sufficiency
Xiaomi’s desire for greater self-sufficiency in chip manufacturing is not new. Despite a strong and ongoing partnership with Qualcomm, the company has expressed a clear interest in having more control over the core technology powering its devices. Xiaomi has also aimed to decrease its dependence on MediaTek. While the company has collaborated with Qualcomm on various SoCs, it has also highlighted its own software and feature additions layered on top of these chips, such as enhancements to power management and graphics.
Understanding In-House Chip Development
Developing custom silicon is a complex and expensive undertaking that requires significant investment in research and development, talent acquisition, and intellectual property. However, the potential benefits for a company like Xiaomi are substantial:
- Greater Control
- Cost Optimisation
- Differentiation
- Supply Chain Security
Several major tech companies, such as Apple and Google, have already developed their own custom silicon for smartphones and other devices. Their success highlights the strategic advantages of this approach. Creating high-performance, competitive chips is a challenging process. However, Xiaomi’s reported investment and the formation of a dedicated department show a serious commitment to this long-term goal.
