Oppo is closing down a department that developed the MariSilicon X Neural Processing Unit (NPU). This news has been confirmed by several online news portals. The decision to shut down the ZEKU unit, responsible for the NPU and the MariSilicon Y Bluetooth audio chip, came as a surprise to employees. Some employees were not even allowed to enter the office to retrieve their laptops.
Oppo shut down the MariSilicon unit due to uncertainties in the global economy and smartphone market. Some experts believe the decision is part of a shift in the business model to align with the Chinese government’s push for semiconductor self-sufficiency. The US has imposed sanctions on semiconductors, affecting China’s technological advancements, especially in military applications. Although the sanctions don’t specifically target one Chinese company, the situation has escalated into an economic war between the US and China, following previous actions against Huawei during the Trump administration.
The MariSilicon X chip was first introduced with Oppo’s flagship Find X5 Series in 2022. We reviewed the phone and found it to be a solid flagship, although some questionable decisions were made regarding its main camera module. The MariSilicon X chip is also present in this year’s Find X6 Series, which was launched in March. Oppo has not given any additional comments regarding the shutdown of the MariSilicon unit.
