小米造芯：缩小和苹果差距的里程碑

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for Xiaomi Group (1810 HK) with a target price of 71.20 HKD [11][33]. Core Insights - The self-developed chips represent a significant milestone for Xiaomi and the Chinese semiconductor design industry, impacting business operations, financial metrics, and market dynamics [1]. - Xiaomi's self-research in chips is a crucial step for brand manufacturers to build an independent ecosystem, similar to Apple's established ecosystem [2][12]. - Self-developed chips are expected to help Xiaomi and other brands expand their market share in the high-end smartphone segment, where Xiaomi currently holds only 6% of the market for phones priced above 4000 RMB [3][14]. - The chip business will likely increase R&D expenses initially, which may suppress gross margins before improving them as production scales up [4][19]. - Xiaomi's self-developed chips could disrupt the third-party smartphone chip market, enhancing its bargaining power with suppliers [5][26]. - The company emphasizes a consumer-oriented strategy to minimize policy risks, focusing on legal compliance and brand competitiveness [6][28]. - Future chip developments may include 5G baseband and smart cockpit chips, indicating a strategic evolution from consumer to industrial applications [7][30]. Summary by Sections Chip Development Impact - Self-research in chips is essential for building a competitive ecosystem, akin to Apple's model [2][12]. - Xiaomi's market share in high-end smartphones is significantly lower than competitors, indicating room for growth through self-developed chips [3][14]. Financial Implications - R&D expenses have risen from 5.8 billion RMB in 2018 to an expected 24 billion RMB in 2024, with R&D as a percentage of revenue increasing from 3% to 7% [4][19]. - Initial gross margins may decline due to high fixed costs associated with chip design, but long-term improvements are anticipated as production scales [4][19]. Market Dynamics - Xiaomi's self-developed chips could lead to a contraction in the third-party chip market, enhancing its competitive position [5][26]. - The company is the largest smartphone chip purchaser globally, indicating significant market influence [5][26]. Strategic Focus - Xiaomi's commitment to a consumer-focused strategy aims to mitigate risks associated with geopolitical tensions and regulatory challenges [6][28]. - Future chip initiatives may target advanced applications, such as 5G and automotive technologies, reflecting a broader strategic vision [7][30].