Kirin 990: Huawei’s new processor closes ranks with 4K video to competition

Kirin 980 disappointed with missing 4K/60fps

The fact that this new feature is worth a report at all is due to the fact that Huawei had dispensed with it in its more recent SoCs Kirin 970 and 980, even though Apple, for example, has been offering functionality since 2017 and the iPhone 8, 8 Plus and X products. Samsung followed suit with the Samsung Galaxy S9 in spring 2018. Qualcomm has integrated the feature since the Snapdragon 845.

Especially at the launch of the Huawei P30 Pro, the reduced video functionality caused disappointment. The P30 Pro in particular had otherwise stood out for its particularly attractive and comprehensive camera equipment for ambitious picture enthusiasts.

Kirin 990 safe in Huawei Mate X, probably in Huawei Mate 30

It can be assumed that the Kirin 990 will be used in the Mate-30 series expected in mid-September 2019. Huawei has already confirmed the use of the Kirin 990 for the Mate X folding phone, which has been repeatedly postponed. The Mate X is expected to be launched in November.

At the first presentation of the Mate X, Huawei had still relied on the Kirin 980 and the camera modules of the Mate 20 Pro (Test). In the meantime, the specifications of the on-board camera in the Mate X have also been aligned with those of the P30 Pro (Test). This means that the Chinese folding phone, at least on paper, is much more potent than the competitor from Samsung.