China semiconductor manufacturing is entering a period of rapid expansion, driven by national investment, growing domestic demand, and the global push for supply chain independence. Local China semiconductor companies are scaling their strengths across chip design, wafer manufacturing, and semiconductor equipment, narrowing the gap with global leaders.

This article explores the top Chinese chip makers shaping this transformation, their latest advancements, and the trends that will define the country’s semiconductor landscape in the near future.

Top China Semiconductor Companies

 

Top Chinese Semiconductor Companies

1. Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC)

SMIC is China’s largest contract chipmaker and the backbone of its domestic semiconductor manufacturing. It has achieved 7 nm production using DUV lithography, supporting Huawei’s advanced chipsets. The company is distinguished by the following developments:

  • SMIC is testing locally built immersion lithography machines to reduce foreign equipment dependency.
  • Its partnership with Huawei keeps China’s high-end smartphone and AI chips advancing despite export limits.
  • Capacity expansions in Beijing and Shanghai aim to strengthen output at 28 nm and below for consumer and industrial chips.

2. Hua Hong Semiconductor

Hua Hong Semiconductor plays a vital role in China’s semiconductor ecosystem, serving as a key supplier for automotive, industrial, and IoT applications. Its ongoing expansions and process upgrades demonstrate the company’s ambition to close the gap with global peers.

  • Hua Hong is China’s second-largest pure-play foundry, specializing in power management ICs, analog, and embedded MCUs.
  • The company is ramping its new 12-inch Fab 9 in Wuxi to add high-volume capacity at mature nodes.
  • It secured a manufacturing transfer of a 40 nm embedded NVM logic process from STMicroelectronics, expanding its MCU and eFlash-based product base.
  • Hua Hong is shifting toward finer mature nodes such as 28 nm and 22 nm to serve domestic automotive and industrial needs.

3. NAURA Technology Group

NAURA Technology Group stands as one of the top China semiconductor companies, now ranked among the world’s top vendors as well. Below are the recent developments that make the company stand out:

  • NAURA was ranked 6th globally among semiconductor equipment suppliers in 2024, up from 8th in 2023.
  • Their product lineup now spans dry etch, PVD, CVD, oxidation/diffusion, and vacuum thermal systems, supporting logic, memory, and advanced packaging fabs.
  • It announced plans to acquire about a 9.5% stake in Kingsemi, a domestic lithography equipment manufacturer, to strengthen its tool-chain capabilities. The deal, valued at roughly CNY 1.69 billion, is part of NAURA’s broader strategy to deepen integration across China’s semiconductor equipment ecosystem.

4. HiSilicon

HiSilicon (a subsidiary of Huawei Technologies) has traditionally focused on smart home, smart city, and smart mobility technologies. Below are key developments demonstrating why HiSilicon remains a leading player in China’s chip ecosystem:

  • HiSilicon’s Kirin 9020 chip, designed by the company, is used in Huawei’s Mate 70 series smartphones. In addition, the chip—manufactured by Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC) using a 7 nm process—was recently confirmed to power Huawei’s new Pura 80 smartphones.
  • HiSilicon’s 2024 domestic SoC growth accelerated under Western sanctions. Independent estimates put its global premium Android smartphone SoC share at around 12% in 2024, up from 8% in 2023.
  • Furthermore, HiSilicon’s Shanghai branch, HiSilicon (Shanghai) Technologies, has introduced a diverse portfolio of self-developed chips recently. These chips span IoT, industrial automation, smart home devices, visual AI, and energy applications.

5. Changxin Memory Technologies (CXMT)

ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT) is a fast-rising Chinese DRAM manufacturer based in Hefei, specializing in dynamic random-access memory design, manufacturing, and sales. Here are its recent notable developments:

  • CXMT has begun mass production of LPDDR5X memory chips, with transfer rates up to 10,667 Mbps, as it targets the mobile and AI memory market.
  • This China semiconductor company is also investing heavily in high-bandwidth memory (HBM) production. The company has already produced HBM2 and is accelerating the development of HBM3. Industry observers in China expect HBM3 and HBM3E to go into production around 2026–
  • CXMT and YMTC are reportedly set to cooperate, integrating their complementary advantages in DRAM development and bonding processes. Their joint efforts are intended to advance China’s goal of memory independence while narrowing the scale and technology gap with leading global DRAM producers.

6. Yangtze Memory Technologies Corp. (YMTC)

Yangtze Memory Technologies Corp. (YMTC) is among the top China semiconductor companies, and its rapid strides in 3D NAND technology make it one of the most closely watched players in the global memory market.

  • YMTC has been shipping its 5th-generation 3D NAND chips that use its Xtacking 4.0 architecture, including stacks of up to 294 layers.
  • The company aims for roughly 15 percent global NAND market share by late 2026 and is building a pilot production line in 2025 using fully domestic equipment.
  • YMTC holds more hybrid-bonding patents (119 filings) than many global peers, underscoring its lead in advanced memory packaging technologies.
  • It recently formed a US$3 billion venture in Wuhan to expand its full-stack memory capabilities covering design, manufacturing, and sales.

7. UNISOC

UNISOC (Shanghai) Technologies Co., Ltd. is a leading Chinese fabless semiconductor company that develops SoCs for mobile devices, wearables, and IoT products. Here are its recent developments that underline why it ranks among China’s top chipmakers:

  • In 2024, the company announced a strategic partnership with Axera todevelop intelligent AI solutions. They integrate UNISOC’s advanced communication tech with Axera’s edge AI expertise to create scalable products for smartphones, smart cockpits, autonomous driving systems, and beyond.
  • The company upgraded a range of its 4G and 5G platforms (including the T9100 and T8200) to support Android 16, added enhanced on-device AI capabilities,and introduced its ‘Miracle Gaming Engine’, which optimizes scheduling, graphics, memory, networks, and storage for improved gaming performance.
  • In July this year, UNISOC launched the T7300, a new 6nm 4G SoC aimed at the mid-range market, touting it as the world’s fastest 4G processor. The chip features two Cortex-A78 cores, Wi-Fi 6 support, a 7th-gen imaging engine, and specialized Miracle Gaming Mode for enhanced entertainment and gaming performance.

8. Will Semiconductor

Will Semiconductor is a Shanghai-based fabless chipmaker known for its leadership in image sensors and custom logic solutions.

  • Will Semi acquired OmniVision Technologies, elevating it to the world’s third-largest supplier of CMOS image sensors.
  • In 2024, the company launched the OV50X, a 1-inch 50MP image sensor offering ultra-high dynamic range, superior low-light performance, and cinematic video capture for flagship smartphones, with mass production expected in Q3 2025.
  • Its R&D roadmap includes smart-car and next-gen mobile segments where it aims to expand from image sensors into full-stack vision and sensing platforms.

9. GigaDevice Semiconductor

GigaDevice Semiconductor is a well-known Chinese fabless chipmaker with strong capabilities in NOR flash memory and 32-bit MCUs, positioning itself for global expansion and diversified product applications.

  • The company opened a new regional officein Singapore in June 2025 to better serve international markets and strengthen supply-chain agility.
  • GigaDevice launched its GD5F1GM9 series high-speed QSPI NAND Flash in April 2025, built on a 24 nm process and enabling higher read speeds for industrial, IoT, and edge applications.
  • The company is moving ahead with an IPO filing in Hong Kong in 2025, a step that signals its ambition to raise capital for expansion and global product reach.

10. JCET

JCET (Jiangsu Changjiang Electronics Technology Group Co., Ltd.) is China’s leading OSAT (outsourced semiconductor assembly and test) provider, ranked among the top three globally for advanced packaging solutions.

  • The company opened a dedicated automotive back-end packaging base in Shanghai and established a subsidiary in Jiangyin focused on SiP (System-in-Package) microsystem integration, further enhancing its packaging expertise.
  • In the first half of 2025, JCET boosted R&D spending to RMB 990 million, a 20.5% year-on-year increase, as it stepped up efforts to enhance advanced and mainstream packaging technologies.

 

Wrapping Up

China’s semiconductor sector is entering a new phase of technological maturity, with companies like SMIC, YMTC, and HiSilicon expanding innovation despite global restrictions. From memory breakthroughs to next-gen foundry capacity, these developments are reshaping global chip supply dynamics.

Amid this transformation, UniBetter continues to play a key role in supporting global manufacturers and innovators with reliable access to advanced electronic components. If you need a reliable electronic component distributor partner, we are here to help!

 

About UniBetter

UniBetter is a leading global electronic components distributor, ranked 21st on the 2025 Top 50 Global Electronics Distributors List and top 3 in the 2025 Top Asia Pacific Distributors List. Serving over 3,000 clients worldwide, UniBetter provides reliable access to advanced semiconductors, including chips for automotive systems, medical equipment, communication systems, and more.

With 16+ years of experience, partnerships with 7,000+ verified suppliers, fast-response procurement, and rigorous quality control via our CSD Quality Management System, UniBetter is a trusted sourcing partner for manufacturers, research institutions, and innovators across seven global locations.

 

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