HiSilicon Kirin 658
HiSilicon Kirin 658: Overview of the Mobile Processor for Budget Devices in 2025
(April 2025)
Mobile processors are the heart of any smartphone, determining its performance, energy efficiency, and capabilities. In 2025, the market is dominated by chips supporting 5G, featuring neural accelerators and advanced process technologies. However, even in such conditions, there are niches for time-tested solutions. One of them is the HiSilicon Kirin 658, a processor that continues to be used in budget devices. Let's explore what makes it noteworthy, who it is suitable for, and what compromises one may have to make.
1. Architecture and Process Technology: A Balance Between Past and Present
Released in 2017, the Kirin 658 is built on a 16-nanometer process technology. By 2025, this is considered outdated—modern chips are manufactured using 5-7 nm processes, which provide less heat generation and better power consumption. However, the 16 nm process still allows for creating affordable solutions for basic tasks.
CPU: 8 Cores Organized in Clusters
The processor utilizes a big.LITTLE architecture:
- 4 Cortex-A53 cores with a frequency of up to 2.35 GHz for resource-intensive tasks;
- 4 Cortex-A53 cores with a frequency of 1.7 GHz for background processes.
This approach ensures a balance between performance and energy efficiency. However, all cores belong to the outdated Cortex-A53 series, which is no longer relevant in 2025. In comparison, modern budget chips (like Snapdragon 4 Gen 3) use Cortex-A55 and Cortex-A76 cores, providing up to a 40% speed increase.
GPU: Mali-T830 MP2
The Mali-T830 MP2 graphics accelerator with two compute units is the weak point of the Kirin 658. It supports resolutions up to Full HD (1920×1080), but for games from 2023-2024, it delivers only 20-25 frames per second on low settings. Modern GPUs such as Adreno 619 or Mali-G57 outperform it by 3 to 4 times.
TDP: 5 W
The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 5 W. In comparison, flagship devices in 2025 (like the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4) have TDPs of up to 10 W, but their performance is significantly higher. Kirin 658 does not require active cooling, which simplifies smartphone design.
2. Performance in Real Tasks: Modest Capabilities
Gaming
The Kirin 658 can only handle less demanding projects:
- Casual games (e.g., Angry Birds, Candy Crush) — run without lag;
- MOBA and shooters (e.g., PUBG Mobile, Mobile Legends) — 20-25 FPS on low settings;
- Graphically intensive games (e.g., Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail) — not recommended.
Multimedia
The chip supports video decoding in H.264 and H.265 formats (1080p), but 4K videos may stutter. Streaming content (Netflix, YouTube) in Full HD runs smoothly if the device is equipped with a quality screen.
AI Applications
The Kirin 658 lacks a dedicated neural processing unit (NPU), so tasks like photo processing or face recognition are performed through the CPU and GPU. This leads to increased power consumption and delays. For example, applying filters in Instagram or Adobe Lightroom takes 1-2 seconds longer than on chips with an NPU.
Power Consumption and Heating
Thanks to its 16-nm process technology and modest power, the Kirin 658 does not overheat even under prolonged load. Smartphones based on it typically come with 4000-5000 mAh batteries, offering 6-8 hours of screen time. However, using the camera or navigation heavily drains the battery more quickly.
3. Built-in Modules: Basic Communications
Modem
The Kirin 658 integrates a 4G modem with support for LTE Cat.6 (maximum speed up to 300 Mbps). By 2025, this is a disadvantage, as even budget devices are transitioning to 5G.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
- Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) with a maximum speed of 433 Mbps;
- Bluetooth 4.2 without support for LE Audio.
These specifications fall short of modern standards (Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3), but are sufficient for connecting headphones, smartwatches, and home networks.
Navigation
The chip supports GPS, GLONASS, and BeiDou, but is not compatible with Galileo or satellite communication (like the Huawei Mate 60 Pro). The positioning accuracy is ±5 meters, which is acceptable for urban navigation.
4. Comparison with Competitors: Kirin 658 vs. Modern Analogues
Direct Competitors from 2017-2018
- Snapdragon 625: Similar 14-nm architecture, 8 Cortex-A53 cores (up to 2.0 GHz). Lags in CPU frequency but gains thanks to the more powerful Adreno 506 GPU.
- MediaTek Helio P20: 16 nm, 8 Cortex-A53 cores (2.3 GHz + 1.6 GHz). Comparable in performance but less optimized.
Modern Budget Chips (2025)
- Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 (4 nm): 2× Cortex-A78 + 6× Cortex-A55, 5G modem, GPU Adreno 613. 2-3 times faster in gaming and multitasking.
- MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ (6 nm): 2× Cortex-A76 + 6× Cortex-A55, supports 5G, Wi-Fi 6.
The Kirin 658 falls short in all parameters except price: smartphones based on it cost $120-180, while devices with the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 start at $200.
5. Use Cases: Who is the Kirin 658 Relevant for in 2025?
Gaming
Only suitable for casual gamers. If you play infrequently and are okay with minimum graphics settings, it will work. For PUBG Mobile or CoD: Mobile, it is better to choose a device with Snapdragon 680 or Dimensity 700.
Daily Tasks
- Social media, messengers;
- Video streaming and web surfing;
- Document editing (Google Docs, Excel).
Opening 10+ tabs in a browser or resource-heavy applications (like Figma) will cause slowdowns.
Photo and Video Recording
Maximum camera support is up to 21 MP (single camera) or 13 MP + 13 MP (dual camera). Video recording is at 1080p@30fps. Processing capabilities are limited: HDR shots are created with delays, and noise appears at night.
Ideal user — someone who does not chase after technology and wants to buy a simple smartphone for calls, messages, and occasional photos.
6. Pros and Cons: Is it Worth Considering?
Advantages
- Low cost of devices ($120-180);
- Stable performance in basic scenarios;
- Good battery life;
- Supports 4G (relevant for regions without 5G).
Disadvantages
- Outdated process technology (16 nm);
- Weak GPU;
- No 5G support and lacks modern Wi-Fi/Bluetooth standards;
- No NPU for AI tasks.
7. Practical Tips: How to Choose a Smartphone with Kirin 658?
1. Battery: At least 4000 mAh. Example models: Huawei Nova Lite 3 (2025) — 4500 mAh, Honor 8C (2025) — 5000 mAh.
2. Screen: IPS or OLED with a resolution of 720×1600 pixels. Avoid devices with HD+ (720p) — it is already outdated in 2025.
3. Memory: 4/64 GB — the minimum for Android 14. Check for a microSD card slot.
4. Camera: Do not expect miracles. Better options include Sony IMX386 or Samsung S5K3L6 sensors.
5. Updates: Choose models with Android 13/14 and a promise of 1-2 years of security updates.
Typical devices — budget smartphones and gadgets for developing markets: Huawei Y-series, Honor Go, devices from brands like Tecno or Infinix.
8. Final Conclusion: Who is the Kirin 658 Suitable For?
The HiSilicon Kirin 658 is a choice for those who:
- Are looking for the cheapest new smartphone (under $180);
- Do not play demanding games;
- Live in regions where 4G is still predominant over 5G;
- Value long battery life.
Main benefits: low price, stability, sufficient performance for basic tasks. However, if your budget allows for an additional $50-80, it is better to choose a device with the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 or Dimensity 6100+ — they will last longer and not disappoint in the future.
P.S. Despite its age, the Kirin 658 remains an example of how a balance between price and functionality helps technology stay relevant even years after its release.