The Kirin 9000S and other variations of this chipset allowed Huawei to regain lost ground in China, making its competitors highly nervous over its phenomenal comeback. Unfortunately, the company is required to keep up with its rivals by introducing more advanced silicon with every generation, which is why one rumor claims that the company would lower the supply of all Kirin 9000 chipsets as it invests its time and resources on the 5nm process and its ‘Kirin PC Chip.’ However, one strategy based on a new claim is that the highly affordable devices starting from $300 would be treated to the remaining supply.
Entry-level smartphones and tablets are potential recipients of various Kirin 9000 chipsets as Huawei gained momentum in China through sales in these categories
Huawei was estimated to have shipped 30 million Mate 60 units last year, which is proof that the Kirin 9000S became a gold mine for the company that was once expected to overtake Samsung and become the largest smartphone brand in the world. With SMIC rumored to have successfully developed its 5nm process, Huawei’s next Kirin SoC will likely be mass produced on this lithography. Additionally, the phone maker intends to disrupt the ARM PC space by introducing its ‘Kirin PC Chip’ later this month or in June.
With Huawei’s focus shifting towards improved chipsets and other product categories, it will have to free up production resources with its foundry partner SMIC, and the only way to do that is to lower the Kirin 9000 supply. However, @jasonwill101 has commented on X about a brilliant move that Huawei is rumored to execute: utilizing the remaining Kirin 9000 chipsets in devices that will retail for no less than $300. Remember that last year, various Mate 60 models fueled by the Kirin 9000S were going for more than $1,200 in China, so Huawei is expected to witness a ton of success with this move.
Huawei's response to the Us gov's supply cut-off is that the Kirin 9000 chip will be downscaled to devices priced at the 300USD price range.
Additionally, mobile chips with the N+3 process (5.5nm) and processors for Huawei PCs will also be released subsequently in this year. pic.twitter.com/Ir2PZq4qCD— jasonwill (@jasonwill101) May 16, 2024
Unfortunately, the rumor does not mention which devices we will see those various Kirin 9000 chipsets in. Given that Huawei found immense success on its home turf with smartphone and tablet sales, its previous-generation SoC could be featured in these two categories. The Kirin 9000 does not break any performance or efficiency records, but the fact that Huawei managed to mass produce silicon while being pushed into a corner because of the U.S. trade ban speaks volumes of the company’s ‘never say die’ attitude.
News Source: @jasonwill101
About the author: Omar Sohail is a reporter and analyst for Wccftech's mobile section, specializing in the technology and business of the mobile industry. His expertise lies in the intricate hardware supply chain, covering developments in semiconductor manufacturing, chip lithography, and camera sensor technology.
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