To have more control over the processing and computational models of their devices, smartphone companies frequently release their own chips. Examples include Apple’s own Apple Silicon processors, Huawei’s HiSilicon Kirin, and Samsung’s Exynos.
However, it can be very expensive and time-consuming to create your own chip. Because of this, many companies only use MediaTek or Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets.
It seems Oppo, one of the largest smartphone companies in China, has decided to make its own chip, according to rumours. Oppo already has two in-house designed chips, the NPU “MariSilicon X” and a connectivity chip called “MariSilicon Y”. But the company still doesn’t have a real processor, one that can be use to power a smartphone.
MyFixGuide reports that the first ever self-developed chipset from Oppo is currently taped out. The foundry manufacturer might be TSMC, and it would be produced utilising a 4nm manufacturing process. Additionally, this chipset will support 5G networks.
In electronics design, the phrase “taping out” denotes that the integrated circuit design process is finished and it’s prepared to be manufactured.
According to the experts, production of Oppo’s in-house processor would begin in the second half of 2023, with the finished device perhaps debuting in 2024.
MyFixGuide also said that it was previously reported that Oppo had spent more than CNY10 billion (RM6.4 billion) hiring thousands of IC design and development employees in major Chinese cities like Beijing, Shenzhen, and Shanghai, as well as other locations.
Perhaps the SoC will be called “MariSilicon Z”, since Oppo already has MariSilicon X and Y.
