BNR – Huawei, in collaboration with China’s leading chip manufacturer, Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC), has unveiled its latest smartphone.
The Mate 60 Pro is featuring an innovative Kirin 9000s chip built on SMIC’s advanced 7-nanometer technology.
This announcement comes from a comprehensive teardown report conducted by TechInsights, a renowned analysis firm.
While Huawei officially launched the Mate 60 Pro last week, initial specifications highlighted its capability for satellite calls. However, the company remained silent about the potency of the chipset driving the device.
7nm Technology Harnessed in Kirin 9000s Chip
The Kirin 9000s chip signifies a significant leap as it is the first processor to harness SMIC’s cutting-edge 7nm technology. This achievement suggests that China is making substantial progress in establishing a robust domestic chip ecosystem.
As of now, Huawei and SMIC have not responded to requests for comments regarding this development.
The smartphone has already garnered attention in China, with users conducting teardowns and speed tests. These tests have indicated that the Mate 60 Pro boasts impressive download speeds, surpassing those of leading 5G smartphones.
Interestingly, the launch coincided with the visit of US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, sparking discussions on Chinese social media.
Since 2019, the United States has imposed restrictions on Huawei’s access to chip manufacturing tools necessary for producing advanced models. Consequently, Huawei had to release limited batches of 5G devices, utilising stockpiled chips.
Huawei Returns to 5G Market
However, in July, research firms said that Huawei was planning a comeback to the 5G smartphone market by year-end. The company leveraged its advancements in semiconductor design tools and SMIC’s chip manufacturing capabilities.
TechInsights analyst Dan Hutcheson noted that this development sends a clear message.
“Raimondo comes seeking to cool things down, and this chip is [saying] ‘look what we can do, we don’t need you,’” he said.
The new chip marks a significant moment in Huawei’s quest for self-reliance in the semiconductor industry.
