Xiaomi launches its own smartphone processor to cut reliance on suppliers
The Beijing-based smartphone maker aims to claw back market share from domestic rivals like Oppo and Vivo
Chinese electronics giant Xiaomi on Tuesday launched its own smartphone chips to cut its dependence on suppliers such as Qualcomm and MediaTek.
The move makes Xiaomi the fourth smartphone maker in the world - after Apple, Samsung Electronics and China’s Huawei Technologies - to have the ability to put processors designed in-house into commercial use through their devices.
Xiaomi’s Mi 5C, the first smartphone to be powered by the processor, will be available from Friday with a price tag of 1,499 yuan (US$ 219.2 ). It forms part of the Beijing-based smartphone vendor’s ambitious strategy to grab back market share after losing significant ground to rivals in the mainland.
“Chips occupy the commanding height in the smartphone battle. Core technologies, such as chips, are must-have technologies for Xiaomi to become a great company,” said Lei Jun, co-founder and chief executive officer of Xiaomi.
He said the company will see the number of its patents grow to exceed 10,000 in the coming years, up from the current 3,612.
Speaking at a project launch event in Beijing today, Lei revealed that in October, 2014, Xiaomi had set up a subsidiary focusing on developing microchips.
“After 28 months, we are able to mass produce the chips, which target the mid-to-high end market,” he said.