SHANGHAI — China's leading memory-chip manufacturer, ChangXin Memory Technologies, is preparing to supply advanced LPDDR6 memory for Xiaomi's upcoming foldable smartphone, marking another step forward for China's semiconductor industry.
The development highlights Beijing's progress in reducing reliance on foreign chip technology.
Chinese Chipmaker Narrows Technology Gap
CXMT is expected to provide advanced memory chips for Xiaomi's next-generation folding phone, scheduled for release in September.
The company began mass production of LPDDR6 less than a year after introducing its previous generation, according to Reuters.
The development is significant because advanced memory technology is essential for smartphones, artificial intelligence systems and high-performance computing.
China has invested heavily in domestic semiconductor production following years of U.S. restrictions on advanced chip technology.
American export controls have made it more difficult for Chinese companies to obtain certain high-end semiconductor equipment and processors.
Chinese manufacturers have responded by increasing domestic research and production.
CXMT's progress suggests that the country's memory-chip industry is becoming more competitive with major international manufacturers.
The company has also begun supplying memory samples for servers and smart vehicles, potentially opening new markets beyond smartphones.
CXMT reported a major improvement in financial performance during the first half of the year, with revenue rising sharply.
The company has also faced scrutiny from Washington.
CXMT filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Defense after being listed among companies alleged to support China's military.
The Pentagon has not publicly commented on the case.
For Xiaomi, domestic access to advanced memory technology could help strengthen its supply chain and reduce exposure to international semiconductor restrictions.
For China's technology industry, the development represents a broader push toward greater semiconductor independence.
Competition in the memory-chip market is likely to intensify as demand for AI computing, smartphones and connected vehicles increases.
