Xiaomi edges Huawei with its 3nm phone chip to be launched this week

China's tech giant Xiaomi has confirmed that its self-developed smartphone chip, the Xuanjie O1 (Xring O1), is built using second-generation 3-nanometer process technology, CEO Lei Jun said on Monday. The announcement positions Xiaomi to become the fourth company in the world – after Apple, Qualcomm, and MediaTek – to launch a smartphone processor designed in-house using the advanced 3nm node.

Xiaomi, known for its wide range of products – from smartphones to vacuum cleaners and electric vehicles – is one of China's most prominent consumer electronics firms. The new chip, positioned as a flagship processor, marks a major milestone in Xiaomi's long-term push into semiconductor development.

Writing on the social media platform Weibo, Lei revealed that the Xuanjie O1, set to debut on May 22, features 19 billion transistors and has been in development for four years.

"Chips are the underlying core track for Xiaomi to break through in cutting-edge technology," he wrote, adding that the company will invest at least 50 billion yuan (roughly $6.9 billion) over the next decade into high-end chip development.

"The new 3nm processor may give Xiaomi an edge at home over Huawei Technologies Co., which is unable to secure mobile chips more advanced than 7nm due to production partner SMIC's struggle," Bloomberg said.

Monday's announcement follows Xiaomi Group president Lu Weibing's teaser of the chip during a live-streamed event on May 17, celebrating Xiaomi's 15th anniversary.

Read more: 

Xiaomi teases self-developed Xring O1 chip for broader device use