In a recent teardown analysis, it was revealed that Huawei's newest high-end phone, the Pura 70 Pro, incorporates more Chinese suppliers in its production process. The examination conducted by online tech repair company iFixit and consultancy TechSearch International unveiled a NAND memory chip likely packaged by Huawei's in-house chip unit HiSilicon, along with various other components sourced from Chinese suppliers.
This shift towards utilizing more domestic suppliers underscores China's push for technological self-sufficiency, a goal closely monitored amid escalating trade tensions between the U.S. and China. Despite facing four years of U.S. sanctions, Huawei has managed a resurgence in the high-end smartphone market, drawing attention from competitors and policymakers alike.
The Pura 70 phones are powered by an advanced processing chipset called the Kirin 9010, believed to be an upgraded version of Huawei's previously used Chinese-made chip. According to Shahram Mokhtari, iFixit's lead teardown technician, the reliance on domestic components in the Pura 70 is notably higher compared to previous models like the Mate 60, highlighting Huawei's pursuit of self-sufficiency.
Huawei's release of the Pura 70 series in late April resulted in swift sales, raising speculation about its potential impact on competitors like Apple. Meanwhile, questions arise in Washington regarding the effectiveness of U.S. restrictions imposed on the telecom giant.
One significant aspect of the Pura 70 is the incorporation of a flash memory chip likely produced by Huawei's HiSilicon unit, signaling a departure from reliance on South Korean suppliers like SK Hynix. The phone's processor, similar to that used in previous models, suggests incremental advancements in Huawei's collaboration with Chinese partners for chip manufacturing.
The use of a 7nm manufacturing process in the Pura 70's processor indicates a continuation of technological progress despite previous concerns about sanctions hindering Chinese chipmakers. However, the close resemblance to previous chips may suggest a slowdown in Chinese chip manufacturing progress.
Overall, Huawei's strategic shift towards greater reliance on Chinese suppliers reflects ongoing efforts to navigate geopolitical challenges while advancing domestic technological capabilities.
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