On August 30, 2023, Huawei made headlines as it unveiled its strategy for the upcoming Pura X smartphone despite facing U.S. sanctions. These restrictions have limited Huawei’s access to advanced chips since 2020, pushing the company to turn to SMIC, China’s largest foundry. SMIC has utilized its 7nm manufacturing process to develop a 5G-enabled Kirin application processor for the Huawei Mate 60 line, reviving 5G capabilities that had been absent since the Mate 40 launched.
However, Huawei has faced challenges in chip production due to the ban on acquiring the latest lithography equipment from ASML, a Dutch company. As a result, SMIC’s Kirin 9000s for the Mate 60 series remain significantly less advanced compared to offerings from competitors like TSMC and Samsung, both of which are poised to deliver 2nm technology in the near future. Speculations have emerged that Huawei and SMIC have been exploring alternatives to ASML’s EUV lithography machines, essential for producing chips smaller than 7nm.
In a bid to enhance its application processors, Huawei is set to introduce improvements to the Kirin 9020 for the Pura X. This next-generation processor is expected to deliver a 5% increase in power efficiency compared to the Kirin 9020 found in the Mate 70 Pro. The upcoming model will not only perform better but will also experience less energy consumption, owing to advancements in chip packaging that facilitate a more efficient connection between the chip and integrated memory.
Looking ahead, Huawei is also developing the Pura 80 series, aimed for launch in early 2026. It remains uncertain whether this flagship model will feature an entirely new chipset or an enhanced Kirin application processor.