Xiaomi Plans Annual SoC Chip Upgrades and Eyes Google Gemini for Global AI Push
Xiaomi is advancing its high-end technology strategy by committing to annual updates for its self-developed system-on-chip (SoC) and preparing a dedicated artificial intelligence assistant for international markets.
Xiaomi President Lu Weibing told CNBC in a recent interview that the company plans to upgrade its self-developed SoC chip every year. This move marks a substantial step in its path toward core technology autonomy and signals a chip iteration cadence similar to Apple Inc. The new generation chip will first equip devices released domestically this year before expanding to overseas models.
Analysts believe Xiaomi is attempting to build competitive barriers differentiated from third-party solutions like Qualcomm and MediaTek through the deep integration of its chips, operating system, and AI assistant. The strategy also lays the AI ecological foundation for its planned expansion into the European electric vehicle market in 2027.
Lu further stated plans to integrate the self-developed Xuanjie O1 chip, the HyperOS operating system, and an AI assistant into the same device for the first time this year, initially launching in the Chinese market.
Matching Apple’s Annual Chip Cadence
Xiaomi launched its first self-developed SoC, the 3-nanometer Xuanjie O1, last year. Lu told CNBC during the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona that following this first product, the company "should upgrade it once a year" looking ahead.
Iterating an SoC annually is a major engineering investment and aligns with Apple’s customary annual release of new A-series chips. Currently, Apple has its A-series and Samsung has its Exynos brand, while most other smartphone manufacturers rely on third-party SoC solutions from Qualcomm or MediaTek.
Lu's explicit statement indicates significantly increased internal confidence in the chip strategy. Last September, Xiaomi Vice President Xu Fei had stated the company could not promise annual new chip releases. Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun previously announced that the company would invest at least RMB 50 billion yuan (US$6.9 billion) in chip research and development over the next decade.
Integrating Chip, OS, and AI
The strategic value of the self-developed SoC lies in its deep synergy with software. Lu said Xiaomi plans to integrate the Xuanjie O1 chip, HyperOS, and an AI assistant into one device for the first time this year, starting in China with eventual plans for overseas markets.
Xiaomi has developed its own mobile operating system, HyperOS, based on Android. In the domestic market, Xiaomi devices carry the "Xiao Ai" AI assistant, whose underlying model is self-developed by the company to serve its local product ecosystem. This close integration of chip and software aims to replicate Apple's core logic for building competitive barriers and achieving product differentiation.
Developing Global AI with Google Gemini
Xiaomi is simultaneously preparing an AI assistant for international markets, aligning with its plan to enter the European EV market in 2027. Lu stated that when their cars enter international markets, their AI agents will follow.
Regarding model selection for the overseas AI assistant, Lu indicated Xiaomi may seek a partnership with Google to adopt its Gemini model, while also integrating its own models. This strategy is similar to Samsung's approach of integrating multiple AI models into devices while relying heavily on Google Gemini. Xiaomi aims to create a unified, cross-terminal AI experience connecting smartphones and automobiles.