Xiaomi’s next-generation XRING 02 chipset is reportedly staying on TSMC’s 3nm process despite rivals preparing to jump to 2nm in late 2025. While that decision might leave Xiaomi a step behind in the specs race, the strategy reflects a broader push to scale the chip across more product categories, not just phones.
XRING 02 rumored to skip 2nm despite industry shift
According to reports out of China, the Xiaomi 16S Pro will debut the XRING 02, with mass production locked to TSMC’s N3P node, the third generation of 3nm silicon. That’s a refinement over the XRING 01’s N3E process, but it still lags behind the 2nm chips expected from competitors like Apple and Samsung in late 2026.
The reasoning? Cost and tooling. TSMC’s 2nm wafers cost around $30,000 each, not counting the millions required for design tape-outs. Meanwhile, U.S. export controls continue to block Chinese access to advanced EDA tools, limiting the ability to develop chips on cutting-edge nodes.
XRING 02 is built for more than just smartphones
Unlike the XRING 01, the XRING 02 is expected to show up in a wider range of Xiaomi products, including:
- Smartphones like the Xiaomi 16S Pro
- Tablets and possibly laptops
- In-car systems for Xiaomi’s electric vehicles
- Other smart devices under its ecosystem
That makes scalability and cost-efficiency more important than raw performance alone. By sticking with 3nm, Xiaomi can produce more chips across more verticals without blowing up timelines or budgets.
Xiaomi’s chip strategy balances ambition with constraints
While a 3nm chip might sound outdated by next year’s standards, the XRING 02 still represents progress for Xiaomi. It marks a critical step toward the company’s long-term goal of silicon independence. Moving away from Qualcomm and MediaTek means more control over performance tuning, integration, and long-term product vision.
But there’s still risk. With competitors embracing 2nm, Xiaomi could face a performance perception gap. The company will need to bank on software optimization, power efficiency, and AI integration to keep pace, especially in premium devices.
Xiaomi may yet change course, but for now, the XRING 02 looks like a calculated play for consistency and control, not a race for raw specs. The chips may not be bleeding-edge, but they’re built to show up everywhere.
