SHENZHEN/SHANGHAI, May 9 — Huawei Technologies is making significant strides towards technological self-sufficiency with its latest high-end smartphone, the Pura 70 Pro, featuring a higher percentage of Chinese-made components than its predecessors. This development is marked by the inclusion of a newly packaged flash memory storage chip and an improved chip processor, as revealed by a recent teardown analysis conducted by iFixit and TechSearch International for Reuters.
iFixit’s lead teardown technician, Shahram Mokhtari, and his team at TechSearch International delved into the internal components of Huawei’s Pura 70 Pro, uncovering a shift towards more domestically sourced components. This shift is emblematic of China’s broader push for independence in the technology sector amidst ongoing US-China trade tensions.
The analysis highlighted several key findings:
- NAND Memory Chip: The Pura 70 Pro includes a NAND flash memory chip likely packaged by HiSilicon, Huawei’s in-house chip unit. This chip comprises NAND dies, each with a one-terabit capacity, putting it on par with global manufacturers like SK Hynix, Kioxia, and Micron.
- Processor Innovations: The smartphone runs on the Kirin 9010 chipset, an advancement over the previous generation used in Huawei’s Mate 60 series. Although the improvements are incremental, they represent significant strides in local manufacturing capabilities.
- Continued Use of SK Hynix DRAM: Despite diversifying suppliers, the Pura 70 Pro still incorporates a DRAM chip from South Korea’s SK Hynix, sourced likely from existing stockpiles as the company has ceased new transactions with Huawei following US restrictions.
The detailed teardown provided not only insights into Huawei’s supply chain but also into the broader industry dynamics affecting global technology and trade. Below is a summary table of the key components found in the Pura 70 Pro:
| Component Type | Manufacturer | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| NAND Flash Memory | Likely HiSilicon | Packaged in-house, comparable to global specs |
| DRAM | SK Hynix | Sourced from stockpiles, existing supplier |
| Processor Chipset | Huawei (Kirin 9010) | Incremental improvement, made by SMIC |
Huawei launched four models of the Pura 70 series in late April, and the series quickly sold out, demonstrating robust market demand. Analysts suggest that this could lead to Huawei capturing more market share from competitors like Apple. This resurgence is particularly notable given the backdrop of US sanctions imposed over the last four years, which have targeted Huawei’s access to advanced technology from abroad.
The success of the Pura 70 series does not just reflect commercial dynamics but also carries significant geopolitical implications. The technological advancements evidenced by the new Huawei models are closely watched by both industry rivals and US politicians. Huawei’s progress is becoming a focal point in the ongoing US-China trade frictions and is seen as a symbol of China’s ambitions to achieve self-reliance in critical technological domains.
The analysis by iFixit and TechSearch indicates that while the improvements in Huawei’s chipset are incremental, they are nonetheless pivotal. The Kirin 9010 processor, used in the Pura 70 Pro, remains based on the 7nm manufacturing process, similar to its predecessor in the Mate 60 series, which was also manufactured by SMIC (Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp).
However, despite the technical limitations imposed by US sanctions, SMIC is expected to make significant advancements, potentially moving to a 5nm manufacturing process before the end of the year. This prospective development could dramatically enhance the capabilities of future Huawei smartphones, keeping the company competitive on the global stage.
Huawei’s development of the Pura 70 Pro is a testament to China’s rapidly advancing technological capabilities and its growing independence from foreign suppliers. As geopolitical tensions continue to influence global trade and technology development, Huawei’s ability to innovate despite constraints is not just a commercial imperative but also a strategic lever in the broader US-China tech rivalry.
Huawei’s continued push towards self-sufficiency and the significant role of Chinese suppliers in its latest high-end phone highlight the intricate dance between global commerce, technological innovation, and political strategy. As the landscape evolves, the implications of these developments will resonate well beyond the realm of consumer electronics, influencing international trade policies and the global balance of technological power.
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