In a sudden change of heart, HUAWEI is now openly sharing chipset details in its latest smartphones—starting with the Pura 80 Series.
Through a recent update to HarmonyOS NEXT, HUAWEI finally confirmed the processor powering its flagship camera phone. This is the first time in years the company has been transparent about its hardware.
Why did HUAWEI start hiding their chipset information?
The decision traces back to the ongoing US-China trade war. HUAWEI was among the Chinese tech giants hit hardest by restrictions on chipmaking and supply chain access.
Still, leaks over the years hinted at what powered their devices—including the Kirin 9020, which was long rumored to be inside the Pura 80 Series.
Is it true?
Yes—those rumors are now confirmed with the HarmonyOS NEXT 5.1.0.217 SP2 update.
Although not as powerful as its Snapdragon and Dimensity counterparts, the Kirin 9020 is still an amazing piece of engineering, considering the hurdles it had to go through and the lack of support that Qualcomm and MediaTek currently enjoys.
Kirin 9020 Specs at a Glance
- CPU Architecture (1+3+4):
• 1x 2.5GHz high-performance core
• 3x 2.15GHz mid-cores
• 4x 1.6GHz efficiency cores
- GPU: HUAWEI’s in-house Maleoon 920
Our experience with the Kirin 9020
Just weeks ago, we got the chance to take the Kirin 9020 for a spin in our unboxing and first impressions of the HUAWEI Pura 80 Ultra.
Running benchmarks like AnTuTu and Geekbench, the results were… underwhelming, especially given the ₱80,000 price tag.
For everyday use, the phone runs smoothly. But for gaming, performance is a mixed bag at best. And let’s be real—this isn’t marketed as a gaming phone. Its focus is mobile photography. Still, at that price point, we would’ve hoped for a more well-rounded performance.
Holding it back are the usual challenges:
- Lack of Google Mobile Services (GMS)
- High pricing compared to competitors
- Middling performance for the cost
That said, HUAWEI deserves credit. Their AppGallery ecosystem has been steadily improving, making the GMS absence less painful than it once was.
What does this step signify?
This step is more than just a spec sheet reveal—it’s a statement.
By confirming the Kirin 9020, HUAWEI is signaling confidence in its in-house chip development. It shows the company is regaining control of its supply chain and doubling down on self-reliance and innovation.
The Pura 80 Series might not win benchmark wars, but it represents a turning point for HUAWEI’s future in mobile technology.
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