Huawei unveils Mate 90 phones, touts homegrown chips to counter US curbs

• Huawei's Kirin 9050 Pro chip uses 'LogicFolding' technique with 3D internal wiring for denser processing, though it requires more wafers and advanced chip capacity remains severely constrained in China
• Rising component costs added an average of $200 per handset, forcing price increases across the industry, though Huawei's average smartphone price fell 14.7% to $628 while China's market average rose 11.3% to $543 in Q2
• Huawei holds approximately 75% of China's foldable phone market and saw its Pura X Max sales surge 76% week-over-week after Apple's iPhone Duo launch, with over 1.2 million units shipped since April

Huawei Unveils Mate 90 Smartphones Amid US Chip Restrictions

Huawei Technologies launched its Mate 90 smartphone series on October 1, leveraging homegrown technology to navigate US semiconductor restrictions. The devices feature the company's Kirin 9050 Pro chip built using "LogicFolding" technology—a three-dimensional chip architecture designed to enhance performance despite limited access to advanced chipmaking tools.

Key Challenges and Figures:

Consumer business chief Richard Yu acknowledged ongoing constraints in advanced chip supply, noting that rising memory prices have added approximately $200 per handset to production costs. Despite pressure on margins, Huawei is raising prices "at a slower pace" than competitors. China's smartphone market contracted 7% year-over-year (January-August), while Huawei's domestic shipments grew 13% during the period.

Technology and Operating System:

The Mate 90 runs on HarmonyOS 7, Huawei's Android-free operating system supporting over 450,000 apps. Yu noted China's advanced chipmaking relies on deep ultraviolet (DUV) lithography, with extreme ultraviolet (EUV) technology still in development. SMIC is believed to manufacture Huawei's Kirin chips, though neither company confirmed this.

Market Competition:

Huawei commands approximately 75% of China's foldable phone market. Following Apple's iPhone Duo launch in September 2026, Huawei's Pura X Max foldable sales surged 76% week-over-week (September 10-13), with shipments exceeding 1.2 million units since April. Apple expects 6 million iPhone Duo shipments in 2026, with China accounting for nearly 25%.

Pricing Dynamics:

China's average smartphone price rose 11.3% year-over-year to $543 in Q2, while Huawei's average declined 14.7% to $628, reflecting competitive pressure in the premium segment.