Xiaomi reveals annual XRing processor updates to reduce reliance on third-party chips and develops global AI assistant integrated with smartphones and cars.
© A. Krivonosov
Xiaomi President Lu Weibing revealed in a CNBC interview that the company plans to release a new generation of its custom mobile processor, XRing, every year. He explained this move reflects Xiaomi's strategy to strengthen its position in the high-tech segment and reduce reliance on third-party chip manufacturers.
The first step came last year with the launch of the XRing O1 processor, built on a 3-nanometer process. Lu Weibing emphasized that developing its own SoC is a large-scale and resource-intensive project, but the company intends to maintain an annual update cycle going forward. This pace is traditionally demonstrated by Apple with its A-series chips.
Currently, only a few smartphone manufacturers develop their own processors. Besides Apple, Samsung has its own solutions with the Exynos lineup, while most brands use Qualcomm and MediaTek platforms. According to Lu Weibing, the new chip will first appear in a smartphone for the Chinese market, then be integrated into Xiaomi's international models. This statement differs from the position previously voiced by the company's vice president, who suggested that an annual update cycle might be too ambitious.
In China, Xiaomi devices use the Xiaoai Classmate assistant, built on the company's own artificial intelligence model. Now, Xiaomi is developing separate AI solutions for overseas markets. Lu Weibing noted that the new assistant will be closely integrated not only with smartphones but also with the brand's cars. This launch is expected to coincide with Xiaomi cars entering international markets. For overseas versions of AI assistants, the company may collaborate with Google, using the Gemini model combined with its own developments. The main goal is to create a unified intelligent ecosystem that integrates smartphones, cars, and the proprietary operating system.
Additionally, this year Xiaomi plans to combine its own chip, next-generation operating system, and AI assistant in a single device for the first time. The product will first be introduced in China, with the technologies later planned for the global market.