ARM SOCS for Windows PCs: Huawei‘s SMT chip and Lenovo’s first processor before market launch
Windows on ARM could soon gain more selection. Lenovo’s chip follows Huawei’s, which in turn could launch in May. Qualcomm is reportedly not only being protected by MediaTek and Nvidia, but the two Asian market giants are also promising competition.
Huawei’s Kirin X90 PC chip isn’t the first time in the conversation, and there was some basic information in March. However, in detail, they now appear slightly different, with different core counts and clock rates.
Huawei’s PC chip runs on 10 cores and 20 threads.
At its core, the Kirin X90 is a Kirin 9010 with a 4+4+2, Big+Big+Middle structure, based on Taishan’s own solutions. The special feature is that these ten cores are simultaneously multiplied by one another (SMT), meaning 20 threads from the ten cores. A similar chip was unveiled in February.
The clock frequencies for the respective ARM core complexes are given as a maximum of 2.3 + 2.0 + 2.0 GHz, which is lower than previously expected, but in turn fits a classic Kirin 9010, for example in the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra smartphone (review). An Apple M2 is no longer expected; the target is rather an Apple M1.
The built-in graphics unit is to be available in two variants, one with 6 or 4 CUs, which then operate at 950 or 750 MHz. Contrary to what was previously suspected, it is no longer the 920 core, but the 910 core as the basis.
Lenovo’s Yoga family with the first ARM chip
Reports about Huawei chips are surprisingly finding their way onto Lenovo websites. The Yoga Pad Pro 14.5 is expected to house a specially developed ARM chip. This is currently identified as the SS1101 model in a 2+2+3+3 configuration. Clock rates are up to 3.3 GHz, and a Mali-based graphics unit handles graphics.
PC Chips from Huawei and Lenovo (Image: Weibo)
Lenovo is using the chip from a modern 5nm production process in a tablet for the first time; at least photos of a prototype are already circulating online and provide some insight into the specifications.
Lenovo’s SOC SS1101 (Image: X)
Huawei’s solution should be the first.
As for a launch date, there’s only one thing to report to Huawei. New PCs are expected to be unveiled in the coming week, and there is also talk of new PC lines with new PC chips. However, it remains to be seen whether all of this will be unveiled on May 19th.
Huawei PCs with their own chips on May 19th? (Image: Weibo) Updated 05/09/2025 10:09 AM
A few days ago, Xiaomi with Xring and its own chip could also appear in the coming weeks. There were rumors at the beginning of this year; now the now supposedly split team is said to be planning for performance.
Topics: Arm Huawei Lenovo Notebooks Processors Windows Economy Source: Weibo, x
Marc deciphers processors by testing their performance for gaming, content creation, and artificial intelligence.
