Huawei could get access to 5G chips thanks to SMIC

According to a new report, Huawei could actually get access to 5G chips thanks to SMIC. As many of you know by now, Huawei has been heavily impacted by the US sanctions. Not only can the company not use 5G processors, but it’s also not allowed to use Google services on its phones… amongst other things.

Huawei is now 10th placed smartphone manufacturer in the world

That impacted Huawei in a considerable way over the years. The company was once on the way to becoming the world’s number one smartphone manufacturer, and now it’s a 10th placed company globally. Many say that it would achieve its goal if not for the US ban, and it sure did seem that way.

Having said that, Huawei changed things up by adding its own services to its devices, and adapting any way it could. It has been using Qualcomm’s processors but with 4G connectivity instead of 5G. That could change moving forward.

Digitimes notes that Reuters and Nikkei Asia have been “closely monitoring” the rumors regarding Huawei and SMIC collaboration. The two companies are allegedly planning to undertake “mass production of 5G chips by the end of 2023”.

Huawei had its own Kirin chips out there, and they were outstanding at the point the US sanctions went into effect. Those sanctions also prevented Huawei from making good processors, which is why Huawei ditched Kirin altogether.

Huawei could reportedly get access to 5G chips thanks to SMIC, but they may not be good enough

The question remains, can Huawei and SMIC actually achieve something like this? Currently, SMIC can only achieve 7nm mass production through DUV with multiple exposures. That is nowhere near what TSMC can do these days.

We wonder if these chips would be any good if manufactured in the near future. It seems like the tech is not yet there for SMIC and Huawei to consider making flagship-grade chips, perhaps something for more affordable devices though? Only time will tell.