Arm launches a new generation of mobile chip design, Lumex architecture boosts local AI in smartphones

According to Zhitong Finance APP, Arm Holdings (ARM.US) announced on Tuesday the launch of a new generation chip design architecture called "Lumex." This architecture is optimized for artificial intelligence (AI) and can support mobile devices such as smartphones and smartwatches to run AI functions offline without needing an internet connection. The released Lumex series of Arm mobile chip designs includes four types, covering different performance needs: there are lower-performance versions aimed at smartwatches and other wearable devices that offer higher energy efficiency, as well as high-performance versions focused on extreme computing power output. Among them, the core goal of the high-performance version is to support high-end smartphones and other devices to run "software driven by large AI models" without relying on cloud computing resources—achieving local deployment and operation of AI functions. Chris Bergey, Arm's Senior Vice President and General Manager, stated: "Whether in real-time interactive scenarios or 'killer' applications like AI translation, AI is gradually becoming the core foundation of the mobile experience. We can clearly feel that users have formed a 'default expectation' for devices to have AI capabilities." The Lumex design released on Tuesday falls under Arm's "Compute Subsystems (CSS)" business segment. The core positioning of this business is to provide "ready-to-use" mature technology solutions for mobile phone manufacturers and chip design companies, helping them quickly integrate new technologies into new products and shorten the R&D and market launch cycles. Currently, Arm is building more complete chip design solutions for data centers and mobile devices—this is part of its long-term strategy aimed at expanding revenue in the smartphone sector and other businesses through diversification. Additionally, Arm has previously revealed plans to invest more funds to explore independent chip research and development and has recruited several core technical talents to promote the implementation of this plan. The Lumex architecture is optimized for 3-nanometer process technology, with representative suppliers including Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC, stock code: 2330.TW). Notably, Apple Inc. (Apple, stock code: AAPL.O) also released a series of iPhone chips on Tuesday that utilize TSMC's 3-nanometer process. Bergey pointed out that Arm will hold a special launch event for the Lumex architecture in China on Wednesday—since major global smartphone manufacturers, apart from Apple and Samsung, are largely concentrated in the Chinese market, holding the launch event in China has significant strategic importance