Xiaomi has taken a crucial step towards creating its own 3-nanometer chip, a move that could revolutionize the technological landscape in China and potentially disrupt the global semiconductor market. The company's pursuit of 3nm chip technology dates back to 2017 with the introduction of its Surge S1 processor in the Mi 5c smartphone.
However, due to the complexity of developing such sophisticated technology, the Surge S2 never made it to market. Nevertheless, recent rumors suggest that Xiaomi has not only picked up the project but has also successfully developed a 3nm processor. Although there's a possibility that the company might release this chip in the following year, many questions remain regarding its features and mass production process.
The completion of the 3nm chip development marks a significant milestone for China, which could have far-reaching implications for Xiaomi. Given that Huawei is currently restricted from working with TSMC and Samsung due to U.S. sanctions, Chinese companies seeking to challenge global leaders in the semiconductor field face significant hurdles.
If Xiaomi has indeed reached the ‘tape-out’ stage – the last phase of chip design before mass production – it implies that other Chinese companies, including Huawei, might be able to utilize Xiaomi's silicon, which could potentially disrupt the industry's power dynamics. However, it's essential to approach these rumors with a degree of skepticism due to the lack of reliable information on the production and specifications of the chip.