Huawei Technologies and China’s top chipmaker SMIC have built an advanced 7-nanometer processor to power its latest smartphone.
According to a teardown analysis by TechInsights, Huawei Technologies and China’s leading semiconductor manufacturer, SMIC (0981.HK), have collaboratively designed a cutting-edge 7-nanometer processor for their latest smartphones.
TechInsights revealed on Monday that the Huawei Mate 60 Pro is powered by the new Kirin 9000s chip, which has been manufactured by China’s Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC).
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Huawei commenced the sale of its Mate 60 Pro smartphone just last week. While the product specifications highlighted its satellite call capabilities, no details were provided regarding the chipset powering the device.
The research firm emphasized that this processor marks a significant milestone as it is the first to utilize SMIC’s most advanced 7nm technology. This development suggests progress in China’s efforts to establish a domestic chip ecosystem.
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Chinese consumers who purchased the phone have been sharing emotional videos on social media and conducting speed tests, demonstrating that the Mate 60 Pro can achieve faster download speeds than even the top-tier 5G phones.
The phone’s launch sparked a tremendous response on Chinese social media platforms and state media. Some even speculated that it coincided with a visit by US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo.
Since 2019, the US has imposed restrictions on Huawei’s access to the chip manufacturing equipment required for producing advanced handset models.
Consequently, Huawei could only release limited batches of 5G models using previously stockpiled chips.
However, research firms informed Reuters in July that they believed Huawei was planning to re-enter the 5G smartphone market by the end of the year. This strategy would leverage its advancements in chip manufacturing through SMIC and semiconductor design tools.
TechInsights analyst Dan Hutchinson remarked to Reuters that these developments were a significant assertion of independence from the US.
He suggested that Raimondo’s efforts were aimed at calming the situation, but Huawei’s actions conveyed a message of self-sufficiency, essentially saying, “Look at what we can achieve without your support.”
