First Xiaomi, then the world: why Arm might give phone gaming a huge graphics boost

Arm's new Mali G2-Ultra NX graphics processor marks a potential turning point for mobile gaming by bringing AI-accelerated rendering techniques to phones and tablets. The chip debuted inside Xiaomi's 18 Fold in China and includes hardware-accelerated features that mirror technologies Nvidia developed for PCs, including AI upscaling, frame generation between existing frames, and ray reconstruction capabilities. These so-called "neural graphics" techniques work together to reduce the computational burden on the GPU by having artificial intelligence fill in visual details, theoretically enabling dramatic performance improvements.

Arm executives indicate this technology will expand well beyond Chinese devices into mainstream smartphones and tablets globally starting in 2025. The company's Chris Bergey told reporters that consumers can expect the Mali G2-Ultra NX to appear in various device categories including phones, tablets, and Chromebooks, with hints that Google's upcoming tablet line may incorporate the technology. Rather than limiting these capabilities to premium flagships, Arm plans to distribute neural graphics across multiple device tiers from flagship to mid-range segments.

The practical benefits could transform everyday mobile gaming. Arm demonstrated that with these techniques combined, devices could maintain extended gaming sessions at full performance; one example cited was playing at 1080p and 60 frames per second for three hours compared to roughly 30 minutes previously. The Xiaomi Pad 9 Pro Max tablet paired with this GPU showed capability for 3.2K resolution at 120 frames per second. Critically, achieving these performance gains requires no additional power draw—the entire system operates within existing thermal and battery constraints.

Game developers will need to actively integrate Arm's neural graphics features into their titles, meaning this won't automatically enhance every game. Three titles confirmed for support include Where Winds Meet, Infinity Nikki, and Arena Breakout: Infinite, with more announcements forthcoming. The rollout will be gradual, with AI upscaling arriving first, frame generation launching in early 2027, and denoising technology following shortly after. This measured approach contrasts with Arm's broader assertion that AI rendering will eventually replace traditional rasterization wherever feasible.