Yesterday marked a significant milestone for Huawei as the company introduced its Matebook Pro 2025 laptops, showcasing the capabilities of HarmonyOS, its newly developed operating system. This innovative platform operates independently of Linux and Android, allowing Huawei to step away from reliance on Microsoft. Attendees at the event were eager to interact with the new devices, uncovering features that suggest a promising future for Huawei’s technology.
Innovative Hardware Integration
The Matebook Pro 2025 is powered by the Kirin X90, a new system-on-chip (SoC) from Huawei’s chip subsidiary, HiSilicon. This chip is built on a custom Arm-based design, reminiscent of Apple’s approach with its silicon. While this integration of in-house software and hardware could herald a new era for Huawei, questions remain regarding compatibility with existing applications.
Since the imposition of sanctions in 2020, Huawei has faced significant challenges in collaborating with international chip designers and manufacturers. This shift forced the company to pivot towards indigenous alternatives, primarily sourcing chips from its HiSilicon division, with manufacturing largely conducted by China’s SMIC. Unlike competitors utilizing unique architectures, Huawei’s cores are based on off-the-shelf Arm Cortex designs, alongside its own Taishan V-series architectures.
During the unveiling, enthusiasts discovered that the Kirin X90 SoC powers the Matebook Pro, as evidenced by system information. Leaker Digital Chat Station provided further insights, revealing that the Kirin X90, codenamed Charlotte Pro, features a 10-core layout (4+4+2) with 20 threads. This design is expected to mirror the Kirin 9010 found in Huawei’s Pura 70 series mobile phones, suggesting that the prime cores will likely utilize the Taishan V121 architecture, while performance cores may adopt Taishan V120, and efficiency cores could employ a standard Cortex design, likely the Cortex-A510.
While performance indicators remain sparse, server-oriented designs based on the Taishan V120 architecture have shown single-core performance comparable to AMD’s Zen 3. However, the Kirin X90 is anticipated to be manufactured using SMIC’s aging 7nm process node, which may present limitations. The development of its own operating system and silicon positions Huawei to reduce its dependence on Western technology, fostering tighter integration within its ecosystem. This shift promises enhanced optimization, reliability, and performance.
The question now arises: how many developers will transition their existing applications to HarmonyOS? The platform’s success will largely dictate this outcome. While compatibility layers could provide a solution, Huawei’s ambition to capture a share of Apple’s market hinges on establishing a robust ecosystem that includes essential daily applications. Alternatively, the development of homegrown software aligns with China’s aspirations for technological self-sufficiency.
As anticipation builds, performance tests of the Kirin X90 are expected to emerge following the Matebook Pro’s release on May 19.