Huawei is taking a step forward in its reshaped processor strategy following US sanctions. The new-generation Kirin 9030 chipset, which will be used in the Mate 80 series, which the company plans to introduce this year, will offer a 20% or more performance increase compared to the previous model.

Mate 80 series will offer a 20% performance increase with Kirin 9030

Huawei’s own processor design unit HiSilicon was considered one of the strongest players in the sector before the US restrictions. The company was Taiwanese chipmaker TSMC’s largest customer after Apple.

However, the sanctions that started in 2020 prevented Huawei from accessing advanced manufacturing technologies. Despite this, the company brought 5G back to Huawei phones with the Kirin 9000S processor developed with the 7nm manufacturing process that it launched in 2023.

Due to the sanctions, Huawei cannot access advanced lithography machines. These machines are critical for transferring the complex circuit structures inside the chips onto silicon. The company is resorting to the multi-patterning method to compensate for this deficiency. However, this method also brings risks such as high cost and low production efficiency.

After the Kirin 9000S, Huawei tried to increase performance only with configuration changes in existing designs. The Kirin 9010, which came with the Pura 70 series in 2024, and the Kirin 9020 processors that accompanied the Mate 70 series reflected this approach. Huawei announced that the Kirin 9020 offers 40% higher performance compared to the Kirin 9000S.

It is stated that the new Kirin 9030 will offer more than 20% performance increase compared to the Kirin 9020. This means a total improvement of 50% to 60% compared to the Kirin 9000S introduced in 2023.

Huawei is still struggling to compete with the chipsets of major rivals such as Apple, Qualcomm and MediaTek. The company’s processors are still 1 to 2 generations behind. However, Huawei is expected to switch to 5nm production technology by the end of the year. This step could provide a significant leap in terms of performance and energy efficiency.

SMIC, the Chinese foundry that Huawei works with in the processor development process, also cannot access EUV (extreme ultraviolet) lithography equipment due to sanctions. This slows down the company’s transition to advanced manufacturing processes. Despite this, Huawei continues its chip production efforts without slowing down in line with China’s technological independence goals.