Xiaomi is reportedly developing its own line of smartphone SoCs (system-on-chips) in collaboration with Chinese chipmaker Unisoc. This rumor, courtesy of reliable tipster Yogesh Brar, suggests Xiaomi’s custom silicon could arrive as early as the first half of 2025.
The upcoming chip is expected to be built on TSMC’s 4nm N4P process node — the same fabrication tech used in 2023 flagships like the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and Dimensity 9300. Naturally, it will also integrate a 5G modem supplied by Unisoc.
While performance details remain scarce, Brar suggests the Xiaomi chip might match the capabilities of Qualcomm’s 2021 flagship, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1.
This could be a strategic move by Xiaomi to address rising chipset costs. Rumors point towards a heftier price tag for the upcoming Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, coupled with Qualcomm reportedly charging a premium for access to its next generation 5G modem.
With such business practices in place, it’s easy to see why Xiaomi might sway its reliance on the America-based chip giant.
However, this custom solution isn’t intended to immediately outshine established players like Qualcomm and MediaTek. It serves as a crucial first step towards greater independence, similar to Apple’s developing its own in-house 5G modem.
