Huawei continues to surprise: Mate 70 with Kirin 9100 overcomes US sanctions

Huawei has once again defied the restrictions presented by the US by launching its flagship Mate 70 smartphone with a new Kirin 9100 processor, the next step after the impressive success of the Kirin 9000s on the Mate 60. The move strengthens the company’s position in the face of tough sanctions blocking Huawei’s access to cutting-edge technology.

Mate 70.

Overcoming technological barriers

The Kirin 9100 chip, like its predecessor, is manufactured by China’s SMIC (the world’s third-largest semiconductor manufacturer after TSMC and Samsung Foundry). Despite not having access to the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography required to produce chips at less than 6nm, SMIC used:

SMIC.

• Multi-exposure technology: This method allows older DUV lithography machines to be used to create complex circuits. However, it leads to:
  • Decreased chip performance.
  • Decrease in yield.
  • Enhancement of production costs.

Features of Kirin 9100 and Mate 70

• Technical specs:
  • The processor consists of ARM cores: one Cortex-X1, three Cortex-A78, and four Cortex-A55.
  • Built on 6nm process technology.
• Limited release: Due to the low yield of year-old chips, the Kirin 9100 will only be used in the premium versions of the Mate 70: Mate 70 Pro, Mate 70 Pro+ and Mate 70 RS Porsche Design.
• Positioning: While the chip is inferior to 3nm solutions such as Apple’s A18 or Snapdragon 8 Elite, it represents a significant advancement in a tightly constrained environment.

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Implications for Huawei and the industry

• Enhanced sanctions pressure:
  • After the release of the Mate 60 Pro and Kirin 9000s in 2023, the US has increased pressure on Huawei and the SMIC.
  • The possible return of Donald Trump could lead to the imposition of new restrictions aimed at curbing China’s technological advances.
• China’s response:
  • The development of EUV-free 6nm chips is a strategic success for Huawei and SMIC.
  • This demonstrates the Chinese industry’s ability to find alternative solutions and reduce dependence on Western technology.

Closure

Huawei and SMIC have again proven that they can overcome technological and political barriers to create competitive products. While the Mate 70 and Kirin 9100 do not surpass the world’s best processors in terms of performance, their release underscores the resilience and innovation potential of China’s tech industry under pressure.

Huawei and SMIC have once again proven their ability to overcome the pressures of China’s technology industry.