Hardwired
In Hardwired, AC Senior Editor Harish Jonnalagadda explores a wide range of hardware, including smartphones, audio devices, storage solutions, and networking equipment.
New players in the mobile chipset field are rare, making Xiaomi’s introduction of the Xring 01 platform particularly noteworthy. Qualcomm and MediaTek dominate this sector, while Samsung’s Exynos lineup lags behind in consistent performance.
While Google’s Tensor portfolio performs admirably, it focuses primarily on AI rather than sheer power. In contrast, Xiaomi’s Xring 01 is evidently designed to compete with Qualcomm and MediaTek’s offerings, featuring a second-gen TSMC 3nm architecture, a 10-core CPU, and a 16-core Arm Immortalis-G925 GPU.
Utilizing Arm’s v9.2 cores, the Xring 01’s 10-core configuration offers a unique advantage over competitors that continue to rely on octa-core setups. The architecture includes two Cortex X925 cores running at 3.9GHz, four Cortex A725 cores at 3.4GHz, two additional A725 cores at 1.9GHz, and two Cortex A520 cores at 1.8GHz. Xiaomi optimizes this tri-core layout using Arm’s CoreLink Interconnect system.
In a similar vein, the 16 shader cores of the Immortalis-G925 give Xiaomi a notable edge over MediaTek, which features only 12 in its Dimensity 9400. Additionally, Xiaomi includes its fourth-generation ISP and a 6-core NPU capable of 44 TOPS, akin to Qualcomm’s 8 Elite. The company envisions this as just the beginning of a substantial investment exceeding $6.9 billion, with 2,500 engineers focused on chip development.
Xiaomi previously explored custom chips with the Surge S1 in 2017, targeting the budget segment, but the current ambitions are far more expansive. The company’s confidence is evident as the Xring 01 features prominently in its new releases: the Xiaomi 15S Pro and Pad 7 Ultra tablet.
The 15S Pro mirrors the 15 Pro launched last year, with the primary change being the adoption of the Xring 01 chipset. The phone sports a redesigned appearance and offers 512GB of UFS 4.1 storage, up from the previous 256GB, although its release is exclusively within China.
The Pad 7 Ultra piques my interest more, showcasing a notably larger 14-inch OLED display compared to the 11.2-inch LCD of the Pad 7 and Pad 7 Pro. It is also equipped with a substantial 12,000mAh battery, and I eagerly anticipate assessing the capabilities of the Xring 01 in such a large device.
My two primary areas of interest with the Xring 01 are its modem performance and battery efficiency. Unlike some competitors, Xiaomi does not integrate a modem and relies on an external MediaTek T800 modem built on a 4nm process. External modems can impact battery life, making it compelling to compare its performance against Qualcomm and MediaTek in real-world usage.
Although I haven’t yet tested the 15S Pro, Chinese YouTuber Geekerwan has conducted extensive evaluations of the Xring 01 (available with English subtitles), revealing it outperforms the Dimensity 9400. Notably, the CPU matches the energy efficiency levels offered by Qualcomm and MediaTek, which is commendable.
However, it was observed that battery life may suffer due to the external modem, with the Qualcomm model lasting 40 minutes longer in identical tests. Ultimately, for Xiaomi to compete effectively, developing its own 5G modem is crucial. Given the challenges faced by others in this field, it will be essential to monitor Xiaomi’s progress.
Alongside the Xring 01, Xiaomi also announced the Xring T1, a smartwatch platform intended for its wearable devices. The timing is notable considering Xiaomi and Qualcomm recently pledged to extend their 15-year collaboration, affirming that future flagships will incorporate Qualcomm technology.
While it’s conceivable that Xiaomi may leverage Qualcomm components for global releases, the focus appears to be on positioning its own designs for the domestic market. This represents a pivotal strategic shift; so far, it seems that the Xring 01 competes effectively with both the Dimensity 9400 and Qualcomm’s premium offerings.