Huawei has expanded its arsenal of chipsets with a new addition, the Kirin 9010L, a variant of the company’s existing Kirin 9010 found in select Pura 70 models. This new version, discovered in a phone from the Nova 12 Ultra Star Edition range, showcases how a brand can diversify its silicon offerings to cater to different segments of the smartphone market.
The Kirin 9010L distinguishes itself from its sibling by offering a slightly reduced performance profile. It features a total of nine CPU cores as opposed to the Kirin 9010’s twelve, with a configuration that includes two performance cores at 2.19GHz, four medium cores at 2.18GHz, and three efficiency cores running at a sedate 1.40GHz. This altered core count and lower clock speeds suggest that the Kirin 9010L will deliver lower single-core and multi-core benchmark scores compared to the original Kirin 9010.
This move to equip the Nova 12 Ultra Star Edition with the less potent Kirin 9010L may actually be a strategic one. Considering the device isn’t positioned as a flagship model, having a lower-tier processor aligns well with both the product placement and probably helps Huawei to keep costs in check. The use of what might be lower-tier binned parts from SMIC’s 7nm process also indicates a smart way to maximize chip yields and increase profitability.
Reports indicate that Huawei might be continuing to develop its chipset lineup throughout the year, especially with predictions about the company revealing its first 5nm Kirin processor during the anticipated Mate 70 series launch in October. Further developments might include another chipset member joining the family, potentially aimed at powering Huawei’s tablet devices.
As Huawei continues to evolve its chipset technologies, it’s clear that the company is looking to navigate the tech ecosystem with a diverse portfolio, likely hoping to mitigate risks, manage costs, and tailor performance across its range of devices. Whether for economic or strategic reasons, the Kirin 9010L is poised to offer a pragmatic balance of power and efficiency for specific Huawei models.
