It is reported that Lenovo's self-developed chip has been successfully taped out: the purpose of the 5nm process is unknown

Recently, Phoenix Technology quoted a Maimai netizen as saying that Lenovo's self-developed chip has been successfully taped out using a 5nm process.

According to reports, the 5nm chip developed by Lenovo's wholly-owned subsidiary Dingdao Zhixin has been returned and recently turned on, which means that the tape-out has been successful and it can enter the mass production stage. The next step will be related functional testing.

It was previously reported that Lenovo's 100%-controlled company, named Dingdao Zhixin (Shanghai) Semiconductor Co., Ltd., has been officially established. The company type is a wholly foreign-owned enterprise with a total registered capital of 300 million yuan. Its business scope includes the design and sales of integrated circuits, as well as a number of businesses in the semiconductor technology field.

The legal representative is Jia Chaohui, senior vice president of Lenovo Group and general manager of IDG Consumer Business & Leading Innovation Center.

The 5nm process used in Lenovo's self-developed chips is currently a very advanced process. The A15 and A16 processors used in Apple's iPhone 14 are also at the 5nm process level. It is not certain whether Lenovo's 5nm chip is manufactured by TSMC or Samsung, but the former is more likely.

However, it is still unknown what Lenovo's 5nm chip is used for. Generally speaking, such advanced technology is mainly used in CPU, GPU or AI chips. Moreover, it is very difficult and risky to use the most advanced technology for the first chip, which requires huge investment and support from R&D personnel.

In recent years, Lenovo has increased its investment in the chip field. According to statistics, since 2021, it has participated in investing in at least 8 chip-related companies through various means, including AI chips, CMOS chips, loT chips, 5G RF chips, IGBT chips, optical chips, single-photon sensor chips, semiconductor laser chips, intelligent audio and video processing SoC chips and other fields.