TL;DR:
- Qualcomm and Xiaomi have solidified their 15-year partnership with a new multi-year agreement.
- The collaboration focuses on driving innovation in premium smartphones, with Xiaomi continuing to utilize Snapdragon 8-series platforms.
- Xiaomi will be an early adopter of the next-generation premium Snapdragon 8-series, launching globally later this year.
- The expanded agreement also includes joint advancements in on-device AI across various edge devices beyond smartphones, such as automotive and wearables.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – May 21, 2025 – Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and Xiaomi Corporation are commemorating 15 years of impactful collaboration by formally executing a new multi-year agreement. The enduring relationship between Qualcomm Technologies and Xiaomi has been pivotal in propelling innovation across the global technology industry. Both companies are now reiterating their commitment to delivering industry-leading products and solutions across a diverse array of device categories worldwide.
Lei Jun, CEO of Xiaomi, articulated the significance of this enduring partnership: “Qualcomm Technologies has always been one of Xiaomi’s most trusted and vital partners, supporting our journey from a startup to a global technology leader. We look forward to continuing the next 15 years of our collaboration and leveraging Qualcomm’s cutting-edge Snapdragon platforms and technologies to deliver even more innovative and high-quality products to our customers worldwide.”
Echoing this sentiment, Cristiano Amon, president and CEO of Qualcomm Incorporated, stated, “Together, we have consistently delivered exceptional products that have set the pace of innovation in smartphones globally. We value the relationship we have built resulting from 15 years of close collaboration and are excited to continue this journey for many years to come, with Snapdragon platforms powering Xiaomi’s premium smartphones. We look forward to expanding our work together in automotive, smart home products, wearables, AR/VR glasses, tablets, and more.”
Commitment to Continued Collaboration in Premium Smartphones
The cornerstone of this new multi-year agreement between Qualcomm Technologies and Xiaomi centers on jointly leading innovation within the premium smartphone segment globally. Xiaomi’s premium smartphones will continue to be powered by the industry-leading Snapdragon 8-series platforms for multiple forthcoming generations of products. These devices will be sold across both China and global markets, with a projected increase in volume during each year of the agreement. A significant highlight of this renewed partnership is that Xiaomi will be among the first manufacturers to adopt the next-generation premium Snapdragon 8-series, which is anticipated to be formally announced later this year. While specific pricing details for future Snapdragon-powered Xiaomi devices are not yet available, consumers can expect the premium Snapdragon 8-series smartphones to typically range from RM2,500 to RM5,000 or more in the Malaysian market, depending on specifications and model.
Looking forward, both companies intend to deepen their collaborative efforts to drive significant advancements, particularly in on-device Artificial Intelligence (AI). This expanded focus on AI will extend across a wide spectrum of edge devices, including but not limited to smartphones, automotive systems, Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) glasses, wearables, and tablets. This strategic alignment underscores a shared vision for integrating intelligent capabilities directly into consumer devices, enhancing user experiences through localized AI processing.
15 Years of Transformative Collaboration: A Retrospective
Over the past 15 years, Snapdragon platforms have served as the foundational technology powering millions of Xiaomi products, unequivocally underscoring the profound success of this enduring collaboration for both companies.
- Smartphones: Qualcomm Technologies has been an indispensable partner for Xiaomi since the momentous launch of the Xiaomi Mi 1 smartphone in 2011. This crucial partnership has played a significant role in Xiaomi’s remarkable journey to becoming the third-largest smartphone brand globally. For the past decade, Snapdragon platforms have consistently powered Xiaomi’s premium smartphones, delivering top-tier performance and exceptional user experiences. Most recently, Xiaomi launched the Mi 15 series, achieving remarkable commercial success, with these devices notably equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Elite, which is regarded as the world’s fastest mobile system-on-a-chip.
- Automotive: When Xiaomi ventured into the automotive sector with the launch of its first vehicle in 2023, it strategically selected Qualcomm Technologies’ next-generation Snapdragon Cockpit Platform to power the SU7’s intelligent cabin. This integration provides sophisticated and intuitive in-vehicle experiences, featuring advanced graphics, rich multimedia capabilities, and cutting-edge AI functionalities. Furthermore, the SU7 also utilizes the Snapdragon Auto 5G Modem-RF solution, ensuring high-performance processing, precise positioning, and low-latency connectivity, thereby offering safety-rich and immersive connected experiences for drivers and passengers.
- Smart Home Products: Qualcomm Technologies’ industry-leading Wi-Fi solutions, including the very latest Wi-Fi 7 technology, have empowered Xiaomi to consistently deliver faster and more reliable connected experiences within the smart home ecosystem. This collaboration has positioned Xiaomi as a leader in this segment with each successive generation of product launched.
- Wearables: The extensive collaboration between the two companies has also extended successfully into the rapidly expanding wearables market. Multiple commercially available earbuds and smartwatches are powered by Snapdragon platforms, including the Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro series, which benefits from the Snapdragon S7 and S7+ Gen 1 Sound Platform, and the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro, which is powered by the Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 Wearable Platform. While individual wearable product pricing varies, Snapdragon-powered Xiaomi earbuds and smartwatches generally retail in Malaysia from RM300 to RM1,500.
This comprehensive multi-year agreement underscores the deepening strategic alliance between Qualcomm and Xiaomi, promising continued innovation and technological advancements across a broad spectrum of consumer devices, particularly in the burgeoning field of on-device AI.