Xiaomi has unveiled its self-designed image signal processing (ISP) chip and equipped it in the Xiaomi MIX foldable phone, which incorporates the company's latest technologies. Through its proprietary ISP and cutting-edge liquid lenses, Xiaomi is challenging Samsung Electronics' stronghold in the foldable phone sector—known for being a hub of advanced technology—and has officially thrown down the gauntlet in the premium smartphone ISP market.

Xiaomi held the second part of its new product launch event on the 30th and unveiled a self-designed chip. The unveiled self-designed chip is the 'Surge C1' ISP, which will be installed in the Xiaomi Mi Mix Fold foldable phone.

According to the announcement, it is a dual filter configuration that processes high and low frequency signals. It is reported that the signal processing rate was increased by 100%.

In particular, it supports more sophisticated and upgraded 3A (AF, AWB, AE) processing by applying in-house research and development ISP and algorithms.

The Surge C1 was announced to feature improved autofocus (AF) compared to previous models, significantly enhancing focusing capabilities in dark light, small objects, and flat areas; more accurate white balance (AWB) for complete control of light in complex mixed environments; and more accurate automatic exposure (AE).

Surge C1 controls the new multi-functional telephoto camera in Xiaomi's flexible foldable phones and tablets. The setting range of this sensor varies from macro shooting at a minimum distance of 3cm to 30x digital hybrid zoom, achieved using new liquid lens technology.

Regarding the foundry that had attracted attention, no details regarding the production of the Surge C1 were announced at the launch event.

Xiaomi previously challenged the budget AP market by releasing its own APs, the Surge S1 and S2, but due to limitations in technology and increased costs, it is currently using Qualcomm's APs in its smartphones.

In China, it is reported that Xiaomi is seeking to expand into related markets beyond the application of its Surge C1 ISP and liquid lenses to its smartphones.

Meanwhile, the Xiaomi 'Mi MIX Fold' foldable phone, announced on the same day along with the Surge C1, adopted an internal folding design, and the internal screen was 8.01 inches, appearing to have no large gap even when folded.

In addition, the camera module of this product is very similar to the camera module of the Xiaomi 10S, and it was announced that the main camera has a specification of 100 megapixels.

The AP uses the Snapdragon 888 and is equipped with Harman Kardon 4 speakers.

In particular, the newly announced foldable phone is equipped with a liquid lens along with the Surge C1 ISP.

Liquid lenses create a structure similar to conventional lenses by packaging a transparent liquid into a film, and are controlled via a precision motor.r />
This lens supports a zoom function, so it can be used as a telephoto lens, and a macro function is also implemented, allowing for close-up shooting at 3 cm.

A Xiaomi official stated, “A customized ISP was required to support such advanced liquid lenses, and the Surge C1 made the implementation of these advanced liquid lenses possible.”

The Xiaomi Mi Mix Fold, featuring the Surge C1 ISP, is priced at 9,999 yuan (approximately 1.72 million won) for the basic model equipped with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, and is scheduled to be sold locally in China starting in mid-April.