Xiaomi Commits $7B to Long-Term Chip Development, Sidesteps Apple’s Annual Race

Xiaomi has charted a deliberate course in semiconductor development with a $7 billion commitment over the next decade, contrasting sharply with Apple's annual chip release cycle. The Beijing-based tech firm debuted its 3-nanometer XRing 01 SoC last year—a technical marvel by any measure—yet openly acknowledges it's not yet competing in Apple's league.

"We're newcomers here," concedes Xiaomi's Xu, highlighting the company's cautious approach. Where Apple ships A-series chips annually, Xiaomi plans just 1 million XRing 01 units initially—a fraction of the 10 million needed for profitability. "This requires ten-year patience," Xu states, emphasizing performance over speed.

The strategic divergence is stark: While Cupertino refines its silicon yearly, Xiaomi's 50 billion yuan investment targets foundational competency. This isn't about keeping pace—it's about building infrastructure for an ecosystem where hardware and software converge seamlessly.