Huawei’s Mate 70 series is nearing its official reveal, with fresh leaks providing insights into its potential System on Chip (SoC) and pricing. One standout feature is the new Kirin 9100 chip, which is said to be priced between 1100-1300 RMB ($150-$180). This chip is anticipated to be crafted using either a 5nm or a 7nm process. However, it may still fall short of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 when it comes to energy efficiency. Nevertheless, insiders believe that the Kirin will offer a smoother experience overall compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. In earlier reports, the Kirin SoC has achieved over a million points in AnTuTu benchmarks.
Huawei's Self-Reliance Strategy
Huawei's decision to manufacture the Kirin chip independently of TSMC or Samsung strongly indicates its determination to become self-sufficient. Leaked information suggests that the production costs for the Mate 70 series could be as much as 30% higher than those of Apple’s iPhone 16 series. Despite this, Huawei is likely to keep the final retail prices lower by reducing profit margins, it appears.
Design Updates and Pricing
Earlier leaks have hinted at significant design updates. In terms of pricing, the Mate 70 RS Ultimate is rumored to have a tag of 10,999 yuan ($1,541), while models like the Mate 70 Pro+ are expected to start at 8,999 yuan ($1,260). Additionally, the base storage is rumored to be 256GB, which is an upgrade from previous iterations.
As the launch is anticipated around mid-next month, Huawei's Mate 70 lineup—which includes the Mate 70, Mate 70 Pro, and Mate 70 Extraordinary Master—is aiming to compete with Apple and Qualcomm. While these insights are based on leaks, an official announcement should be forthcoming soon.
Sources like Weibo (in Chinese) and Digital Chat Station have contributed to this information.
