Semiconductor Manufacturing International (SMIC) has announced that Qualcomm's Snapdragon 425 processor and MDM9x07 have passed customer qualification and begun mass production at its majority owned joint venture fab in Beijing. The successful production of 28nm Snapdragon products in Beijing represents an important step for SMIC's 28nm technology, the China-based foundry said.

This achievement is a result of close collaboration between Qualcomm and SMIC's Beijing and Shanghai teams, SMIC indicated.

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 processor is redefining the entry-point of mid-tier processors. With 802.11ac Wi-Fi, a 64-bit CPU, and a 16-megapixel dual-image sensor processor, the Snapdragon 425 is making cutting-edge experiences more accessible with advanced computing, smooth graphics and remarkable camera quality.

"The successful mass production of Snapdragon 28nm in the Beijing fab represents a major achievement for SMIC in expanding our production at 28nm," said Haijun Zhao, COO and executive VP of SMIC. "Through parallel production of 28nm at both Shanghai and Beijing fabs, SMIC is able to expand our 28nm services to Qualcomm and global customers and to continue our progress in advanced node technology production."

SMIC's Beijing fab is located in the Beijing Economic Development Zone and is capable of manufacturing 28nm and above process technology nodes.