Q: Where do Huawei's chips come from?
Huawei's HiSilicon Kirin chips were developed and manufactured in-house by their own team in China. However, the Qualcomm Snapdragon series of chips used in mobile devices launched in 2021 was imported from America.
With increasing investments in chip research and development at Huawei, they successfully developed Kirin series chips such as the Kirin 9000, which is 5-nm process technology, outperforming mainstream Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 and Apple A13 chips in terms of performance. Unfortunately, due to external factors, currently, the Kirin chips are experiencing supply shortages. Consequently, Huawei imported Snapdragon 888 and Snapdragon 778G chips for the P50 series and Nova 9 phones. However, because of America’s restrictions on Huawei's 5G technologies, these smartphones can only support 4G networks at present.
A: Why does Huawei continue to develop its Kirin chips even when it cannot produce them? Despite being unable to produce them, Huawei still has a plan to develop the Kirin chips further. This is not just about long-term production; rather, it's about accumulating and storing technical knowledge that could be applied later. Companies invest heavily in technological advancements to prepare themselves for future production capabilities, especially if there's potential revenue growth.
Q: Even if the company cannot produce, why should we say that developing the Kirin chips now is beneficial?
Even without producing them, Huawei continues to develop its Kirin chips with this goal in mind: To secure an early position in the market, ensuring that Huawei receives substantial profits compared to the huge investment in chip R&D over time. The company believes that after two or three years, Huawei will have a partner capable of producing leading-edge Kirin chips. This means they need to accelerate their efforts to reduce delays and avoid any potential loss of exclusivity.
Q: I think that what Huawei Chen Li Fang predicts is the development of leading-world Kirin chips. These chips originally belong to Huawei’s “three leading world technologies.” Previously, despite being produced by a leading-world manufacturer, they had played a significant role in providing sufficient output and application. Now that the focus is shifting to actual use, Huawei needs more advanced manufacturing processes than those needed for high-end and leading-world manufacturing. Therefore, Huawei doesn't require advanced manufacturing processes like 7 nm, 5 nm, 3 nm, or 2 nm. The key challenge facing Huawei is the imminent risk of having no stock left.
Q: Can you believe that Chen Li Fang predicted that Huawei would develop new supply chains using American technology within two to three years? It seems quite realistic. As a board member and senior vice president of Huawei, Chen Li Fang likely provided this prediction based on his understanding of global supply chain dynamics, international partnerships, and internal corporate strategies. Additionally, many people in our country have expressed concerns about the risks posed by the US ban on Huawei, including other countries and companies seeking to break free from US technology dependency. In light of these developments, Chen Li Fang’s prediction might reflect insights into the challenges faced by Huawei and its partners in securing alternative suppliers.
Overall, Huawei's continued commitment to developing leading-world Kirin chips appears extremely valuable. This initiative far exceeds the traditional purposes of accumulating and storing technical knowledge. By developing leading-world Kirin chips, Huawei ensures that it remains ahead of competitors in terms of cutting-edge technology. The eventual production of these chips could lead to a resurgence of multiple leading-world breakthroughs, ultimately restoring Huawei’s overall technological strength.
In summary, the current situation where Huawei is continuing to develop leading-world Kirin chips highlights the urgency and necessity of accelerating this process. Without delay, Huawei must ensure that the development and integration of leading-world manufacturing processes align closely with actual technological readiness. This approach aims to create a strategic advantage for Huawei in various industries, including 5G technology, thereby solidifying its competitive edge. Ultimately, the benefits of these leading-world Kirin chips extend beyond mere technological advancement; they provide a foundation for broader technological leaps and enhancements. How much time did it take for Huawei to achieve this remarkable transformation? Just one year plus another three years. It seems incredibly short, but it represents a major leap forward in Huawei’s technological prowess.