Huawei launches new Kirin chips amid R&D investment
Huawei has introduced its new Mate 90 smartphone series featuring updated Kirin chips, underscoring the company's commitment to in-house technological development in response to ongoing supply chain pressures.
Shenzhen-based Huawei has launched its new Mate 90 series of smartphones, integrating the company's latest Kirin processors. The device lineup, released in early October, includes multiple models equipped with different performance variants of the Kirin chip.
The company has reported significant investment in research and development, allocating 1.8 trillion yuan (approximately $250 billion) between 2007 and 2025. This R&D push is credited with advancing the development of its Kirin chips, HarmonyOS operating system, and other proprietary technologies.
The high-end Mate 90 models, including the Pro Max Premium Edition and RS Ultimate Design, utilize the most powerful Kirin 9050 Pro chip. Other variants, such as the Pro and standard Mate 90, are powered by the Kirin 9035 and Kirin 9030 chips, respectively. Huawei claims the Kirin 9050 Pro offers a 31% performance increase, while the Kirin 9035 and 9030 provide 20% and 27% gains.
These new chips are part of Huawei's strategy to enhance self-sufficiency in its supply chain and develop core technologies internally. This move is particularly significant given continued restrictions on access to advanced chips and manufacturing equipment, exacerbated by export controls targeting China's semiconductor industry.
The Mate 90 series is priced between 5,999 and 12,999 yuan. The devices support eSIM technology and run on Huawei's HarmonyOS 7, which incorporates integrated AI features. Huawei has recently shown signs of regaining market share in China's smartphone sector, competing against Apple and other major players.