Huawei’s new Mate 70 Pro Plus features the Kirin 9020 processor, but it uses the same 7nm chip technology as last year’s Mate 60 Pro.
This signals a slowdown in Huawei’s progress in chip development.
Still Stuck at 7nm
The Kirin 9020 chip, designed by Huawei and made by Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp. (SMIC), is built with 7nm technology.
Industry leaders like TSMC and Samsung moved beyond 7nm years ago, with TSMC introducing 7nm chips in 2018.
Challenges Ahead
Huawei faces difficulties in advancing to 5nm technology or beyond. SMIC’s limited access to advanced equipment from ASML Holding NV hinders their ability to improve chip yields and reliability. Analysts predict that Huawei won’t exceed 7nm technology until at least 2026.
Incremental Updates
The Mate 70 Pro Plus chip has minor updates, such as a larger die size and improved efficiency.
However, it still lags behind TSMC’s second-generation 7nm chips, which use extreme ultraviolet (EUV) technology.
Falling Behind in the Chip Race
While Huawei and SMIC lead China’s chipmaking efforts, global leaders TSMC and Samsung are already moving to 2nm chips.
These advanced chips are essential for powering cutting-edge devices like iPhones and AI technologies.
Huawei’s Mate 70 Pro Plus highlights the company’s struggles in chip development.
As global competitors push ahead with next-generation chips, Huawei’s slower progress could widen the gap in technology.