In a recent development, it has been reported that China’s largest foundry, SMIC, is gearing up to produce a 5nm chip for Huawei this year. This is exciting news for both companies and the industry as a whole. Here’s a closer look at what this means for Huawei and the future of smartphone technology: – […]

– Back in August, Huawei introduced the Mate 60 series featuring the 7nm Kirin 9000s application processor (AP) that supports 5G connectivity. This marked a significant milestone for the company as it showcased their ability to innovate and stay ahead in the competitive smartphone market.

– Following the release of the Mate 40 series in 2020, which also supported 5G thanks to the Kirin 9000 SoC, Huawei faced challenges due to export rules that restricted access to cutting-edge chips. However, they managed to use modified Snapdragon chips from Qualcomm for subsequent flagship lines such as the P50, Mate 50, and P60 series.

– With SMIC now set to build a 5nm chip for Huawei without access to Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) Lithography machines, it opens up new possibilities for both companies. Despite being two generations behind Apple’s A17 Pro AP used in the iPhone 15 Pro models, this collaboration between Huawei and SMIC is a significant step towards achieving semiconductor independence in China.

– The use of older Deep Ultraviolet (DUV) lithography machines by SMIC could potentially pave the way for more affordable production of 5nm chips. This is crucial not only for Huawei but also for China’s goal of becoming self-sufficient in semiconductor manufacturing.

– The rise of SMIC as the third-largest foundry globally during the first quarter highlights their growth and potential impact on the industry. With TSMC and Samsung Foundry leading in sales, SMIC’s revenue increase from Q4 of 2023 to Q1 of 2024 demonstrates their progress and competitiveness in the market.

Overall, this collaboration between Huawei and SMIC signifies a positive step towards technological advancement and innovation in the telecommunications industry. Stay tuned for more updates on how this partnership unfolds and impacts future smartphone developments.