“造芯”11年，小米为何选择了3nm？

Core Viewpoint - Xiaomi has announced the development of its self-designed 3nm chip, the "Xuanjie O1," which is a significant advancement over previous industry expectations of 7nm and 4nm processes, marking a strategic move in its semiconductor journey [1][2]. Group 1: Investment and Development - Xiaomi plans to invest at least 50 billion yuan (approximately 7.1 billion USD) over the next decade in its chip development efforts [2][3]. - As of April 2023, Xiaomi has already invested 13.5 billion yuan (approximately 2 billion USD) in research and development for this chip, with an expected R&D expenditure of over 6 billion yuan (approximately 850 million USD) this year [3]. Group 2: Technological Significance - The transition from 28nm to 3nm technology is crucial for enhancing smartphone chip performance, with each generation of technology providing significant performance improvements [1][2]. - Xiaomi is the fourth company globally to release a self-developed 3nm mobile processor, following Apple, Qualcomm, and MediaTek [2]. Group 3: Strategic Implications - The adoption of 3nm technology enhances Xiaomi's negotiating power with chip suppliers and serves as a strategic measure against supply chain risks and the perception of dependency on imports [1][8]. - The company aims to use its self-developed chips primarily in its own devices, particularly in mid-range models, while high-end models may still rely on Qualcomm chips for the time being [6][8]. Group 4: Future Prospects - The experience gained from developing the 3nm chip could position Xiaomi as a leading chip design company in China in the long term, potentially rivaling companies like Qualcomm in the future [9]. - The 3nm chip may also find applications beyond smartphones, including in AR glasses and AI devices, although cost considerations will dictate its use in high-end products [7][8].