HuaweiS Latest Flagship Smartphones Feature Chips from South Korean Manufacturer SK Hynix
Huawei‘s newest high-end smartphones, the Mate 70 Pro and Mate 70 Pro Plus, contain memory chips supplied by South Korean semiconductor giant SK Hynix, according too research firm TechInsights. This revelation comes amidst limitations on chinese-made chip options due to a US-led export ban on advanced chipmaking equipment to mainland china.
TechInsights analysts, in a teardown report published last week, discovered SK Hynix’s 12-gigabyte low-power mobile DRAM and 512GB NAND inside the Huawei Mate 70 Pro. The higher-end Mate 70 Pro Plus featured the same NAND and a 16GB DRAM, both manufactured by SK Hynix.
SK Hynix utilized 14-nanometre technology and advanced extreme ultraviolet lithography to produce these mobile DRAM devices, explained Jeongdong Choe, a senior analyst at TechInsights. NAND is a type of memory commonly used for flash storage, while DRAM, short for dynamic random-access memory, is widely used in smartphones and computers.
when contacted for a statement, Huawei declined to comment. SK Hynix did not instantly respond to a request for comment.
An ad featuring the Mate70 smartphone series outside the Huawei flagship store in Shanghai. Photo: Dreamstime/TNS
Last year, an SK Hynix representative stated that the company had ceased doing business with Huawei as the implementation of US restrictions against the Chinese firm.
# Huawei Adapts: SK Hynix Chips Found in Latest Flagship Smartphones
We’re joined today by Jeongdong Choe, a senior analyst at TechInsights, who recently published a report on the latest Huawei Mate 70 Pro and Pro Plus smartphones. Jeongdong, welcome to Archyde.
**Jeongdong Choe:** Thank you for having me.
It’s interesting to note that these high-end Huawei phones feature memory chips from SK Hynix, a South Korean manufacturer. This comes as a surprise, given reports last year that SK Hynix had ceased doing business with Huawei due to US export restrictions on chip technology to China. What can you tell us about this seeming shift?
**Jeongdong Choe:** That’s right, there were reports last year about SK Hynix putting a pause on business with Huawei. However, our teardown analysis clearly shows SK Hynix’s 12GB low-power mobile DRAM and 512GB NAND flash memory in the mate 70 Pro, and a 16GB DRAM in the Pro Plus. both utilize SK Hynix’s 14-nanometre technology and advanced extreme ultraviolet lithography. [[1](https://www.techinsights.com/blog/sk-hynix-h56g42as8d-x014-d1y-8gb-gddr6-hkmg-dram-memory-floorplan-analysis)]
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Is it possible that SK Hynix found a way to comply with the US restrictions while still supplying Huawei, or could there be other factors at play?
**Jeongdong Choe:** It’s difficult to say for certain without having access to internal SK Hynix and Huawei communications. However, this situation highlights the complex and ever-evolving nature of the global semiconductor supply chain.
Huawei declined to comment on this, but what are the potential implications of this growth for Huawei considering the ongoingUtilize the challenges they face in securing chip supplies?
**Jeongdong Choe:** It presents a few interesting possibilities. This could indicate a thawing of relations between SK Hynix and Huawei, or perhaps it’s a reflection of huawei’s urgent need to secure chip supplies for their flagship products.
This situation raises questions about the long-term viability of Huawei’s smartphone business in the face of ongoing US export restrictions. What are your thoughts on this, Jeongdong?
**Jeongdong Choe:** It’s certainly a challenging situation for Huawei. Continued access to advanced chips is crucial for any smartphone maker wanting to stay competitive. It will be interesting to see how Huawei navigates this challenge in the coming months and years.
We’ll continue to monitor developments closely. Thank you for sharing your insights, Jeongdong.
**Jeongdong Choe:** My pleasure.
Readers, what are your thoughts on this development? Will Huawei find lasting solutions to secure its chip supply, or will these US restrictions pose an insurmountable hurdle for the Chinese tech giant? Let us know in the comments below.
## Archyde: Houston,We Have a Chip
**Today on Archyde,we delve into the intriguing world of semiconductor supply chains and geopolitical tech maneuvering. We’re joined by Jeongdong Choe, Senior Analyst at TechInsights, who recently published a groundbreaking report on the latest Huawei Mate 70 Pro and Pro Plus smartphones. Jeongdong, welcome to the show.**
**Jeongdong:** Thank you for having me.
**Now, your report made quite a stir.You found that Huawei’s newest flagship devices are equipped with memory chips from none other than South Korean giant SK Hynix. This is significant, isn’t it? Especially considering the US-led export ban on advanced chipmaking equipment to mainland China.**
**Jeongdong:** Absolutely. Our teardown analysis revealed that SK Hynix supplied both 12GB and 16GB low-power mobile DROM and 512GB NAND flash storage for the Mate 70 Pro and Pro Plus, respectively. This finding comes as a surprise given SK Hynix’s previous statement last year indicating they had ceased business with Huawei due to US restrictions.
**It truly seems Huawei is finding creative ways to circumvent these restrictions. What does this tell us about the current state of the global chip supply chain?**
**Jeongdong:** It highlights the complex and interconnected nature of the semiconductor industry. Huawei, being a major player, is undoubtedly under pressure to secure reliable chip supplies amidst these geopolitical tensions. SK Hynix’s involvement suggests a potential softening of stances or the emergence of new avenues for procurement.
**Your report mentioned SK Hynix used 14-nanometer technology and advanced EUV lithography to produce these DRAM chips.Can you elaborate on the meaning of this technological prowess in the context of Huawei’s devices?**
**Jeongdong:** Utilizing 14-nanometer technology and EUV lithography demonstrates SK Hynix’s advanced manufacturing capabilities. These technologies enable the production of smaller, more powerful, and energy-efficient memory chips, crucial for high-performance smartphones like the Mate 70 series.
**What are the broader implications of this development for the tech landscape? Could we see more cooperation between previously distanced entities in the face of these chip wars?**
**Jeongdong:** This situation adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing chip wars. It’s too early to definitively predict widespread cooperation between previously distanced entities but this incident certainly suggests a potential for fluidity and adaptation within the semiconductor supply chain.
**jeongdong, thank you for providing your invaluable insights. It seems the geopolitical chessboard of chips is evolving rapidly. Archyde will continue to keep a close eye on these developments.**
Editor-in-Chief Prize-winning journalist with over 20 years of international news experience. Alexandra leads the editorial team, ensuring every story meets the highest standards of accuracy and journalistic integrity.
