Next: Homegrown semiconductors of the 5G tech variety

Spreadtrum RDA, the mobile-design subsidiary of China's largest chipmaker Tsinghua Unigroup Ltd, aims to unveil 5G smartphone chips in 2018.

The move is part of its plan to gain an early lead in the next-generation mobile communication technology, and follows the agreement with Britain's Dialog Semiconductor Plc in March to develop smartphone chips and mobile power management technology.

Dialog's chips already power Apple Inc's iPhones and iPads.