Xiaomi’s Boldest Move Yet: Xring O1 Chip Challenges Apple & Snapdragon

Xiaomi is taking a bold leap into the world of custom silicon with the launch of its new Xring O1 processor—a move that firmly places the brand in direct competition with tech giants like Apple and Qualcomm. The new chip made its debut alongside three powerful devices: the Xiaomi 15S Pro smartphone, Pad 7 Ultra tablet, and the Watch S4 eSIM Edition.

Introducing the Xring O1: Xiaomi’s First Flagship Chip

Built on a second-generation 3nm process, the Xring O1 is no slouch. It boasts 10 cores, including two Cortex-X925 performance monsters clocked at 3.9GHz, four high-performance cores at 3.4GHz, and a 16-core Immortalis-G925 GPU. According to early benchmarks, the chip scored over 3 million points on AnTuTu, which is right up there with the likes of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite and Apple’s A18.

But it’s not just about speed—Xiaomi is also promising exceptional efficiency, aiming to deliver flagship power without compromising battery life.

Xiaomi 15S Pro: A True Powerhouse

The 15S Pro is the first smartphone to showcase the capabilities of the Xring O1 chip. It comes with a 6.73-inch QHD+ LTPO AMOLED display that supports a buttery-smooth 120Hz refresh rate and reaches a peak brightness of 3,200 nits—ideal for outdoor use.

Photography enthusiasts will appreciate the phone’s triple-camera setup, which includes a 50MP main sensor, an ultrawide lens, and a 5x periscope telephoto lens for incredible zoom capabilities. Backing it all up is a massive 6,100mAh battery with 90W wired and 50W wireless charging, ensuring you’re never far from a full charge.

To top it off, there’s a limited-edition carbon fiber design that adds a premium, exclusive flair.

Pad 7 Ultra: Big Screen, Bigger Ambitions

Next up is the Xiaomi Pad 7 Ultra, a productivity and entertainment machine rolled into one. With a stunning 14-inch 3.2K OLED display, 120Hz refresh rate, and up to 1,600 nits brightness, it’s built for immersive experiences—whether you’re gaming or multitasking.

Despite its size, the tablet remains sleek and portable. It measures just 5.1mm thin and weighs only 609 grams, thanks to a strong but lightweight aluminum unibody. Powered by the Xring O1 chip, it’s ready for demanding tasks, and its 12,000mAh battery promises multiple days of battery life.

Watch S4 eSIM: Smarts on Your Wrist

Xiaomi also unveiled its latest smartwatch—the Watch S4 eSIM 15th Anniversary Edition. It’s the company’s first wearable powered by its own chipset, the Xring T1.

The watch features a vibrant 1.43-inch AMOLED display, independent 4G connectivity, and advanced health tracking tools. Running on HyperOS 2, it enables full smart home integration and even allows you to take calls without needing your phone nearby. Battery life is impressive too, offering up to 15 days on a single charge.

A New Strategy: Going Vertical

With these launches, Xiaomi signals a clear shift toward vertical integration—developing its own chips to reduce dependence on external suppliers. While the company still has multi-year deals to include Snapdragon chips in some models, the Xring lineup marks a long-term commitment to in-house innovation, similar to Apple’s journey with its A-series chips.

Industry Outlook: Can Xiaomi Deliver?

Analysts are cautiously optimistic. While core counts and clock speeds don’t tell the full story, early real-world performance suggests Xiaomi’s Xring O1 is a true flagship contender. The next challenge? Developing image signal processors, modems, and AI units that can match or surpass those from more established chipmakers.

The Future of Xiaomi Hardware

With Xring O1 and Xring T1 now powering products across multiple categories, Xiaomi is betting big on in-house silicon to drive the next wave of growth. If successful, this strategy could reshape the Android ecosystem, giving consumers more choice and potentially better performance and value than ever before.