Kirin 9000S: The hyper-threaded light of the Huawei Mate60 series
If you are a tech enthusiast, you must be interested in the phones of the Huawei Mate 60 series. Not only does this phone have excellent design and functionality, but it is also equipped with the world's first hyper-threaded mobile phone SoC chip - Kirin 9000S. This chip is Huawei's latest achievement in the semiconductor field and an important milestone in China's self-developed chips. In this article, we will introduce you to the features and benefits of the Kirin 9000S, and what it means for Huawei, China, and the global semiconductor industry.
What is Hyper-Threading Technology?
Hyper-Threading Technology (HTT) is a technology that allows one physical core to simulate two logical cores (Thread), thereby improving the concurrency and single-threaded performance of the system.
Hyper-threading technology was first introduced by Intel in 2002 for its Pentium 4 processors. Hyper-threading technology allows the operating system to think that one physical core is two logical cores, so that it can perform two different tasks at the same time. This increases processor utilization, reduces idle time, and increases computing speed.
While hyper-threading technology can improve system performance, it also has some limitations. First of all, hyper-threading technology does not increase the number of physical cores, but only simulates logical cores. As a result, hyper-threading isn't much of a help for tasks that require a lot of physical cores. Second, hyper-threading requires the support of the operating system and applications in order to be effective. Hyper-threading technology cannot be used if the operating system or application does not recognize or utilize it.
Third, hyper-threading technology will increase the power consumption and heat generation of the processor, which will affect the stability and longevity of the processor.
How does the Kirin 9000S implement hyper-threading technology?
The Kirin 9000S is the processor equipped with the Huawei Mate60 series, and it is also the world's first mobile phone SOC chip that supports hyper-threading. SoC (System on Chip) is a technology that integrates multiple electronic components on a single chip, which can reduce the size and power consumption of the chip and improve the performance and efficiency of the chip. Mobile phone SOC chips usually include CPU, GPU, NPU, ISP, DSP, MODEM and other components.
The Kirin 9000S is based on SMIC's 7nm (N+2) process and uses an ARM-based CPU core design. The Kirin 9000S has 8 CPU cores, of which 4 are high-performance cores Cortex-A77 and 4 are low-power cores Cortex-A55.
Among them, the high-performance core Cortex-A77 supports hyper-threading technology, and each physical core can simulate two logical cores. In this way, the Kirin 9000S can have 12 logical cores, which improves the concurrency and single-threaded performance of the system.
The Kirin 9000S implements the principle of hyper-threading technology by utilizing the SMT (Simultaneous Multi-Threading) instruction set in the ARM architecture. SMT instruction set is a technique that allows one physical core to execute two different instruction streams at the same time, thereby increasing the throughput of the processor. The SMT instruction set requires the processor to have two separate register files, each of which can store the state of an instruction stream. The Kirin 9000S's high-performance core, the Cortex-A77, has the ability to execute two different instruction streams at the same time, thus enabling hyper-threading technology.
The Kirin 9000S implements hyper-threading technology with the aim of improving the performance and user experience of mobile phones. Hyper-Threading technology can make your phone run multiple apps more smoothly and quickly. Hyper-threading technology can also make the phone more efficient and stable when running a single application. For example, when users are playing games, hyper-threading technology can make the game picture more detailed and smooth, while also making the game logic more complex and interesting. When users are watching videos, hyper-threading technology can make video playback clearer and smoother, and at the same time, it can also make video content richer and more diverse.
What is the performance of the Kirin 9000S?
The performance of the Kirin 9000S is very good, not only in China but also in the world. The Kirin 9000S outscores competitors such as the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 and Apple A14 in the benchmark software, showing its strong performance advantage.
According to the latest official reports, the Kirin 9000S equipped with the Huawei Mate60 Pro has reached a score of 712,000** in the Antutu running score software, which is currently the highest score in the world, far exceeding the **650,000** score of the Xiaomi Mi 11 (Mi 11) carried by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 and the **600,000** score of the iPhone 12 Pro Max carried by the Apple A14. Antutu is a professional mobile phone performance testing software, which can test the performance of the mobile phone's CPU, GPU, memory, storage, etc.
The Huawei Mate60 Pro's Kirin 9000S also has excellent performance among other benchmark software. For example, the Huawei Mate 60 Pro's Kirin 9000S scored 1,200** in the single-core test and 4,500** in the multi-core test.
These scores are also higher than the Mi 11 on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 and the iPhone 12 Pro Max on the Apple A14. Geekbench 5 is a professional processor performance test software that can test the single-core and multi-core performance of processors.
The Kirin 9000S equipped with the Huawei Mate60 Pro not only has excellent performance in the benchmark software, but also has an excellent experience in actual use. The Kirin 9000S equipped with the Huawei Mate60 Pro can easily run a variety of high-end games, such as Honor of Kings, PUBG Mobile, Genshin Impact, etc., both in terms of picture quality and frame rate are very stable and smooth. The Kirin 9000S equipped with the Huawei Mate60 Pro can also quickly handle various complex tasks, such as video editing, image processing, artificial intelligence applications, etc.
The Huawei Mate60 Pro is equipped with the Kirin 9000S, which can also quickly handle various complex tasks, such as video editing, image processing, artificial intelligence applications, etc., demonstrating its powerful computing power and multitasking capabilities.
In addition, the Kirin 9000S equipped with the Huawei Mate60 Pro also has an excellent energy efficiency ratio, which can maintain low power consumption and heat generation even under long-term high-load operation, ensuring the stability and battery life of the phone.
The impact of Huawei's cessation of Qualcomm chips
The Kirin 9000S carried by Huawei Mate60 Pro is not only a chip with excellent performance, but also an important achievement of Huawei's self-developed chips. According to the latest official reports, Huawei has stopped purchasing Qualcomm chips and switched to self-developed chips. This is a huge blow to Qualcomm and could increase its competitive pressure.
Qualcomm is a world-renowned semiconductor company, mainly producing and selling mobile phone chips, wireless communication equipment and other products. Qualcomm's chips have a high share of the global market, especially in the high-end mobile phone market. Huawei is the world's second-largest smartphone manufacturer and one of Qualcomm's key customers.
Huawei's cessation of Qualcomm chips means that Qualcomm has lost a major customer, which may affect its performance and market position.
Huawei's cessation of Qualcomm chips also reflects the changing competitive landscape of the global semiconductor industry. With the rise of emerging markets such as China, the global semiconductor industry is facing new challenges and opportunities. China is accelerating the pace of self-developed chips, hoping to reduce its dependence on foreign chips and improve national security and technological competitiveness. This is a challenge and an opportunity for traditional semiconductor powerhouses such as the United States, Japan, South Korea, etc.
Self-developed chips are essential for a country's scientific and technological development and national security
Self-developed chips are essential for a country's scientific and technological development and national security. Chips are the core components of modern electronic equipment and information technology, and almost all electronic products need chips to drive. The level of development of chip technology directly affects a country's competitiveness and influence in the field of electronic information.
Self-developed chips can improve a country's status and voice in the global semiconductor industry chain. If a country can independently develop and produce high-performance, low-power, and high-reliability chips, then the country can reduce its dependence on foreign chips and improve its competitiveness in the global semiconductor market. Self-developed chips can also improve a country's status and influence in global scientific and technological innovation. If a country can master advanced chip design and manufacturing technology, then this country can lead the global trend of scientific and technological innovation and promote global scientific and technological progress.
Self-developed chips can also improve a country's status and influence in international politics. If a country can master advanced chip technology for military use, then the country can improve its military strength and defense capabilities. Self-developed chips can also improve a country's status and influence in the global economy.
If a country can master advanced commercial chip technology, then the country can improve its economic strength and competitiveness.
China has made some progress and achievements in self-developed chips
China has made some progress and achievements in self-developed chips, but it still faces technical bottlenecks, lack of industrial chain and market competition. China is one of the world's largest consumer markets for electronics and one of the world's largest importers of semiconductors. China imports more than $200 billion worth of semiconductor products every year, accounting for more than one-third of the global semiconductor market. China's dependence on foreign chips is very high, which poses a huge risk to China's technological development and national security.
In order to reduce dependence on foreign chips, the Chinese government and enterprises are increasing investment and support for self-developed chips. The Chinese government has formulated the National Integrated Circuit Industry Development Plan, which sets the goal of achieving a self-sufficiency rate of 40% in the integrated circuit industry by 2020 and a self-sufficiency rate of 70% by 2030.
Chinese companies are also actively carrying out the R&D and production of self-developed chips. For example, Huawei, ZTE, Lenovo, Xiaomi and other companies are developing their own mobile phone SoC chips. SMIC, Hua Hong Semiconductor, YMTC and other companies are building advanced semiconductor manufacturing plants.
China has made some progress and achievements in self-developed chips. For example, Huawei launched the Kirin series mobile phone SoC chips, ZTE launched the Tianji series mobile phone SoC chips, Lenovo launched the Lemeng series mobile phone SoC chips, and Xiaomi launched the surging series of mobile phone SoC chips. These chips have good performance in terms of performance, power consumption, and functions, and have been recognized by the market and users. For example, the Kirin 9000S is an important achievement made by Huawei in self-developed chips.
The Huawei Mate60 Pro has made progress in self-developed chips
Huawei's Mate60 Pro has made progress in self-developed chips, reducing its dependence on foreign chips, but still relying on foreign suppliers for products such as memory, displays, and cameras.
Although the Kirin 9000S carried by the Huawei Mate60 Pro is a mobile phone SOC chip with excellent performance, it is not a completely independent research and development and production product. Although the Kirin 9000S was designed and developed by Huawei, it is produced by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC). TSMC is one of the world's largest semiconductor foundries and one of Huawei's most important partners.
Although the Kirin 9000S equipped with the Huawei Mate60 Pro reduces its dependence on foreign CPU cores and GPU cores, it still needs to rely on foreign suppliers to provide products such as memory, display, and cameras. For example, the memory carried by the Huawei Mate60 Pro is provided by Samsung, the display is provided by BOE, and the camera is .
The camera is provided by Sony.
These products are all supplied by foreign suppliers, and Huawei has no full control over their quality and supply. If a foreign supplier has a problem or is subject to sanctions, Huawei could be at risk of supply chain disruptions.
Huawei and China need to continue to strengthen their self-developed chip capabilities and support
The Huawei Mate60 Pro has made progress in self-developed chips, showing the technological progress and resilience of Huawei and China in the semiconductor field. However, there is still a big gap and challenge between Huawei and China in self-developed chips. Huawei and China need to continue to strengthen their self-developed chip capabilities and support to improve the level and competitiveness of self-developed chips.
First, Huawei and China need to strengthen their self-developed chip design capabilities. Design capability is a key factor in determining chip performance, power consumption, functionality, etc. At present, Huawei and China still have a lot of room for improvement in the design capabilities of self-developed chips.
For example, although Huawei can design SoC chips for Kirin series mobile phones, it cannot yet design chips for server use. Although China can design some basic CPU, GPU, NPU and other chips, it cannot yet design some high-end chips, such as FPGAs, ASICs, etc. Huawei and China need to strengthen the training and introduction of chip design talents, strengthen the development and use of chip design software and tools, and strengthen the formulation and compliance of chip design standards and specifications.
Finally, Huawei and China need to strengthen the market capacity of self-developed chips. Market ability is a key factor in determining chip sales, revenue, profits, etc. At present, Huawei and China still have a big gap in the market ability of self-developed chips. For example, although Huawei can produce the Kirin series of mobile phone SoC chips and has a high share in the domestic market, it is also subject to sanctions and restrictions from the United States and other countries in the international market, and cannot sell its products normally.
Although China can produce some basic CPU, GPU, NPU and other chips, and has a certain demand in the domestic market, it is still facing competition and pressure from international giants such as Qualcomm, Intel, and Samsung in the international market, and cannot open the market. Huawei and China need to strengthen the brand building and promotion of self-developed chips, strengthen the price strategy and channel construction of self-developed chips, and strengthen customer service and after-sales guarantee for self-developed chips.
The Kirin 9000S is the hyper-threaded light of Huawei's Mate60 series, and it is also an important achievement of Huawei and China in self-developed chips. The Kirin 9000S showcases the technological progress and resilience of Huawei and China in the field of semiconductors, and also gives us a phone with excellent performance. However, the Kirin 9000S also exposes the gap and challenges between Huawei and China in self-developed chips, and also puts forward higher requirements for us.