Up until recently, it was believed that Chinese company SMIC had mastered the 5nm technology for mass production. However, an analysis of the Qingyun L540 notebook by TechInsights testers revealed something different. The Kirin 9006C processor, which was supposed to be manufactured using 5nm technology, turned out to be produced by TSMC, not the Chinese manufacturer. How is this possible in the face of American sanctions?
According to TechInsights, Huawei’s 5nm processors are stockpiles accumulated in 2020 and manufactured by TSMC.
After the release of the 14-inch ultralight laptop in early December, the presence of a 5nm processor sparked speculation about advanced semiconductor production capabilities in China. However, the analysis confirmed that the Kirin 9006C was produced by TSMC, dispelling disputes about SMIC’s involvement. The TechInsights team stated that the notebook processor is very similar to the Kirin 9000, which was released in 2020. Most likely, these are processors produced last year when Huawei was stockpiling for the future.
The conclusion from the analysis is that despite the sanctions, Huawei is unable to achieve mass production of 5nm chips in the country. It is uncertain how long the Chinese company will be able to rely on the stockpiles from 2020, therefore it will continue to depend on foreign partners like TSMC.
FAQ
Can Huawei produce 5nm chips in China?
No, despite speculations, Huawei is unable to achieve mass production of 5nm chips in the country. According to TechInsights analysis, Huawei’s 5nm processors are stockpiles accumulated in 2020 and manufactured by TSMC.
Does Chinese company SMIC possess 5nm technology?
There is no definitive information about whether Chinese company SMIC possesses 5nm technology for mass production. TechInsights analysis revealed that the Kirin 9006C processor, which was supposed to be manufactured by SMIC using 5nm technology, was actually produced by TSMC.
Definitions
TSMC
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) is a Taiwanese semiconductor manufacturer. It is one of the largest chip producers in the world.
SMIC
Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC) is a Chinese semiconductor manufacturer. It is one of the main competitors of TSMC.
Source: [TechInsights](https://techinsights.com)
The source of the article is from the blog exofeed.nl