Huawei’s Pura 70 Pro Features Higher Percentage of Locally-Sourced Components, Signaling China’s Progress Towards Technology Self-Sufficiency

A recent analysis conducted by online tech repair company iFixit and consultancy TechSearch International has revealed that Chinese tech giant Huawei’s latest flagship smartphone, the Pura 70 Pro, features a higher percentage of locally-sourced components compared to its previous model, the Mate 60. The analysis, which has not been previously reported, found that the Pura 70 Pro uses a NAND flash memory storage chip, likely packaged by Huawei’s in-house chip unit HiSilicon, as well as several other components manufactured by Chinese suppliers. These findings point to China’s progress towards achieving technology self-sufficiency. Earlier analysis by Teardown firms such as TechInsights had identified South Korean firm SK Hynix as the supplier of the DRAM and NAND memory chips used in the Mate 60. However, the Pura 70 Pro still includes a DRAM chip made by SK Hynix, although the NAND flash memory chip appears to be manufactured by HiSilicon, with each NAND die having a capacity of 1 terabit, comparable to those produced by major flash memory makers like SK Hynix, Kioxia, and Micron. While the manufacturers of the wafer used in the chip were unfamiliar to the analysis team, they believe that HiSilicon may have also produced the memory controller. The analysis also confirmed that the Kirin 9010 processor used in the Pura 70 Pro is a slight improvement upon the Chinese-manufactured advanced chip used in the Mate 60 series, which was produced by semiconductor manufacturer Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC). However, some experts suggest that these advances are relatively small, and that SMIC is still anticipated to move forward with a 5nm manufacturing node before the end of the year. These findings come at a pivotal moment for Huawei, following four years of U.S. sanctions. As one of the most visible symbols of escalating U.S.-China trade tensions and Beijing’s ambitions to achieve technological independence, Huawei’s resurgence in the high-end smartphone market is closely monitored by both competitors and U.S. politicians. Its latest device series, which sold out rapidly upon launch, is also expected to take further market share from iPhone maker Apple. Some U.S. policymakers have questioned the effectiveness of U.S. restrictions on Huawei.