The Huawei Mate 60 Pro smartphone has been released, featuring the Kirin 9000 S chip manufactured by Chinese chipmaker SMIC. This is a significant moment in China's ongoing tech war with the US, as it indicates that indigenous innovation has overcome American sanctions. The chip's presence demonstrates that sanctions cannot hinder China's technological progress and has sparked debate in both China and America regarding the effectiveness of these measures.

Despite the importance of the Kirin 9000 S chip, it is important to note that its production is limited to outdated DUV technology. This disadvantages Chinese firms compared to leading chipmaker TSMC, which utilizes more advanced EUV technology. Due to American sanctions, EUV machines produced by Dutch company ASML, are off-limits to Chinese chipmakers. As a result, the Mate 60 Pro's technological capabilities may be limited, and it is unlikely to be a decisive blow in the tech war.

The article by The Economist highlights the Mate 60 Pro's performance and contrasts it with Samsung's Galaxy S20, which uses a TSMC chip. Despite being on par with the Galaxy S20, the use of DUV technology suggests that the Kirin 9000 S represents the limit of what China can achieve without access to EUV technology. Developing EUV technology independently will take considerable time, allowing TSMC to continue advancing.

The presence of memory chips made by South Korean firm SK Hynix in the Mate 60 Pro. Chinese companies have found workarounds to acquire chips through underground markets. Consequently, the US is likely to increase global enforcement of its sanctions, potentially hampering Chinese firms' ability to create new high-tech products.

The ongoing tech war between China and America will continue in 2024 and may involve additional countries. The limitations Chinese firms face due to American sanctions and reliance on underground markets will test the patience of US allies and potentially strain international relations. Overall, the release of the Mate 60 Pro and its Kirin 9000 S chip signifies China's defiance against sanctions and showcases its technological progress, but also highlights the challenges it faces in achieving further advancements.

Source: The Economist