Huawei Mate 70 Pro+ runs on 7nm Kirin chip with minor changes: TechInsights

TechInsights finally got its hands on the newly launched Huawei Mate 70 Pro+ and found that it runs on a 7nm chip. The research firm recently explored the new Mate handset’s self-developed Kirin processor and reached some conclusions.

Earlier, many leaks and rumors claimed that Mate 70 smartphones will use a 5nm chipset. Even though Huawei said it would continue improving its 7nm chips instead of making advanced SoCs, some tipsters said the company could jump to a 6nm tech.

However, the latest Huawei Mate 70 Pro+ teardown clarifies that the phones use the same 7nm (7n+2) chip tech. The firm says the Kirin 9020 has minor design changes and “incremental improvements” over the Kirin 9010 found in Pura 70 Ultra.

“The Kirin 9020 processor is not a dramatic redesign but rather an incremental improvement over its predecessor, the Kirin 9010.” – says TechInsights.

Inputs further reveal that the Kirin 9020 is fabricated in the SMIC foundry, just like the Kirin 9000s and 9010. After the US ban, Huawei now relies on Chinese chip suppliers for its chip making. And SMIC is a major chip partner of the company.

As per TechInsights, Kirin 9020 development shows that Huawei is currently focusing on improving its existing SoC designs with SMIC’s capabilities in chipmaking.

Huawei Mate 70 Pro+ runs on 7nm Kirin chip with minor changes: TechInsights (Image Credits: TechInsights)

TechInsights added that though the new processor went through the same process technology as its predecessors, it brings certain noteworthy changes to the table. Modifications in the Kirin 9020 can enhance the device’s performance and efficiency.

“This process… has drawn industry attention for SMIC’s achievements in advanced node manufacturing despite sanctions.”

Last year, Huawei unveiled Mate 60 handsets with the 7nm chip tech (made by SMIC and built on DUV equipment). However, constant reliance on the 7nm process shows that the company is struggling to build advanced chips for its phones.

Although the company is taking small steps to boost its chip progress. The die layout of the Kirin 9020 chipset is 15% larger than the Kirin 9010. Thus, good changes exist.

Huawei will surely leap into the Chinese chipset industry in the upcoming years. The company has opted for the self-sufficient path, eliminating its dependency on foreign goods. Hence, it will take time but reach new heights of success.