Updated
Updated · Notebookcheck.net · Jul 29
Huawei Unveils 2 Kirin PC Chips, Claiming 23% Faster XE90 as Sanctions Persist
Updated
Updated · Notebookcheck.net · Jul 29

Huawei Unveils 2 Kirin PC Chips, Claiming 23% Faster XE90 as Sanctions Persist

1 articles · Updated · Notebookcheck.net · Jul 29

Summary

  • Huawei publicly introduced its Kirin XE90 and X90 Plus PC processors at a HarmonyOS computer briefing, its first onstage confirmation of a desktop-class PC chip lineup.
  • 23% higher single-core performance, 25% better efficiency and 40% stronger NPU throughput were Huawei's headline claims for the XE90 versus the original Kirin X90, alongside new ray-tracing support on HarmonyOS PCs.
  • The X90 Plus will power the MateBook Fold Ultimate Design and the XE90 the MateBook Pro S, two new laptops Huawei said will launch on August 5.
  • Huawei gave no official specifications, but said the X90 Plus uses a smaller process node than the original X90's 7 nm-class SMIC N+2, suggesting a move toward newer in-house silicon despite sanctions.
  • The launch also ties Huawei's PC push more tightly to a unified HarmonyOS base spanning tablets, commercial devices and PCs, underscoring its effort to build a self-contained computing stack.

Insights

Will an ultra-light laptop powered by a secretive ten-core processor finally make HarmonyOS a true threat to Windows?
How is Huawei achieving massive PC performance leaps without access to the world's most advanced chipmaking equipment?