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| The upcoming smartphone SoC from Xiaomi might have a better GPU than expected (image edited by AI) |
A hidden configuration file in Genshin Impact's Android data folder has revealed support for several next-generation mobile GPUs—including some that haven't been publicly announced yet.
The vulkan whitelist file, which governs which graphics processors the game's Vulkan API will support, contains roughly 30 entries. Most correspond to current flagship chips, but eagle-eyed dataminers spotted three entries that don't match any known hardware—suggesting they belong to unannounced processors from Qualcomm, Arm, and potentially Xiaomi's rumored XRing lineup.
The list of GPU whitelisted for Genshin Impact, version 7.0
Unannounced Hardware Points to 2026-2027 Flagship Chips
Game developers typically compile these compatibility whitelists from vendor hardware documentation months before a chip's official unveiling. Driver validation must be completed ahead of retail device shipments, meaning these entries likely reflect silicon that's already in advanced testing phases.
What's Already Confirmed in the Wild
The file explicitly references:
- Adreno 829 → Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 (already released)
- Mali-G1-Ultra MC12 & MC11 → Dimensity 9500 and Dimensity 9500m
- Xclipse 960 → Samsung Exynos 2600 GPU
- Adreno 845 & 850 → Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 (SM8950) and Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 Pro (SM8975) — both previously leaked ahead of Qualcomm's September Summit
The Mystery Entries: Two Chips, One Completely New Naming Scheme
1. Mali-G2-Ultra-NX MC12 & MC16
These follow Arm's current flagship naming convention but introduce the "G2" and "NX" suffixes for the first time.
- MC12 variant is rumored to power the Dimensity 9600 Pro — suggesting a next-gen Arm architecture without increasing core count, focusing instead on per-core performance gains.
- MC16 variant appears to align with Xiaomi's XRing O3, continuing the company's pattern of using large GPU configurations. Xiaomi previously deployed a 16-core Immortalis-G925 MC16 setup in the XRing O1, so a similarly specced MC16 configuration fits their established design philosophy.
If this holds, the XRing O3 could feature newer Arm IP than the Dimensity 9600 Pro while being manufactured on an older N3P process node (vs. the Dimensity's rumored N2P), creating a fascinating performance-per-watt comparison when both arrive around the same timeframe.
2. Mali-TMAX-Immortalis MC16 – Completely New Branding
The third entry doesn't match any existing Arm product hierarchy:
"Mali-TMAX-Immortalis MC16"
Arm's "Immortalis" branding denotes its ray-tracing-capable GPU tier, but the "TMAX" prefix has never appeared in any leaked roadmaps or vendor documentation. It's unclear whether this represents:
- A brand-new performance tier above "Ultra"
- A custom semi-custom design for a specific OEM
- An internal testing codename that may never reach retail
Given Arm's typical naming cadence, this could point to a 2027 flagship design that hasn't even been whispered about publicly.
What This Means for Mobile Gamers
For Genshin Impact players, Vulkan support translates directly to better frame rates, improved power efficiency, and reduced thermal throttling during extended sessions. The fact that HoYoverse is already validating next-gen GPUs suggests:
- These chips are further along in development than public leaks suggest
- Genshin's next major update will be optimized day-one for 2026–2027 flagship phones
- Ray-tracing support via Immortalis-class GPUs could eventually come to mobile Genshin
Important Caveat: Whitelists Aren't Official Spec Sheets
Since this data originates from an application whitelist rather than vendor-supplied hardware documentation, specifications and final naming may differ from what eventually ships in retail devices.
Manufacturers frequently revise GPU configurations, clock speeds, and even core counts between early validation and mass production. The presence of "TMAX" branding, for instance, could indicate an internal test vehicle that never sees commercial release.
Bottom Line
The Genshin Impact 7.0 Vulkan whitelist offers one of the clearest glimpses yet into the 2026–2027 mobile chip roadmap. While the Adreno and Xclipse entries confirm previously leaked Qualcomm and Samsung parts, the mysterious Mali-G2-Ultra-NX and Mali-TMAX-Immortalis entries suggest Arm and its partners are preparing significant GPU architecture leaps—some of which may arrive sooner than expected.
For now, treat this as compelling evidence rather than confirmed fact. But if history is any guide, HoYoverse's validation lists have accurately predicted support for chips months before their official announcements—making this leak one to watch closely.
Have you spotted any other hidden gems in Genshin's game files? Share your findings in the comments below.