HiSilicon Kirin 659
HiSilicon Kirin 659: Moderate Performance for Basic Tasks in 2025
Overview of a mobile processor that remains relevant in the budget segment
Introduction
Despite the rapid advancement of technology, the smartphone market continues to offer solutions for all categories of users. The HiSilicon Kirin 659 is an example of a processor that, despite its age (released in 2017), is still found in new budget devices in 2025. In this article, we will discuss why it remains relevant, what tasks it can handle, and who should pay attention to it.
1. Architecture and Process Technology: The Foundation of Stability
Key Specifications:
- 8 Cortex-A53 cores divided into two clusters:
- 4 high-performance cores at 2.36 GHz;
- 4 energy-efficient cores at 1.7 GHz.
- GPU Mali-T830 MP2 - graphics for basic tasks.
- 16 nm process technology - outdated, but time-tested.
CPU and GPU Features:
Kirin 659 is based on the ARM big.LITTLE architecture, which optimizes the balance between performance and power consumption. However, its Cortex-A53 cores no longer meet modern standards — they are slower than the Cortex-A55/A75 cores, which are even used in budget chips in 2025.
The Mali-T830 MP2 GPU handles simple animations and less demanding games, but it lacks power for modern projects with high graphics settings.
2. Performance in Real Tasks: What Can the Kirin 659 Do?
Gaming:
- Light games: Candy Crush, Subway Surfers — stable at 60 FPS.
- Medium load: PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact — only at minimum settings with frame rates around 25-30 FPS. Frame drops may occur due to the weak GPU.
Multimedia:
- Playback of 1080p/60fps and 4K/30fps video (without H.265 decoding).
- Support for displays with a resolution of up to Full HD+.
AI Applications:
- The lack of a dedicated neural processing unit (NPU) limits capabilities in tasks like real-time photo processing or voice assistants.
Power Consumption and Heating:
- The 16 nm process technology and energy-efficient cores ensure good battery life: smartphones with the Kirin 659 can last up to 1.5–2 days with moderate use.
- Under prolonged loads (gaming, video recording), temperatures can reach 42–45°C, but throttling (frequency reduction) can usually be avoided.
3. Integrated Modules: Communication without Frills
- Modem: Supports 4G LTE Cat.6 (maximum speed up to 300 Mbps). 5G is absent.
- Wi-Fi: Only Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), with no support for Wi-Fi 6.
- Bluetooth: Version 4.2 — slower and less stable than Bluetooth 5.0+.
- Navigation: GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou — for basic positioning.
Conclusion: The Kirin 659 is suitable for regions where 5G has not yet become widespread, but limitations in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth may be noticeable when using wireless headphones or smart devices.
4. Comparison with Competitors: Market Position
2025 Analogues:
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 3: More modern cores (Cortex-A78), 5G support, higher gaming performance (Adreno GPU).
- MediaTek Helio G85: Improved Mali-G52 GPU, better suited for gaming.
- Samsung Exynos 850: Similar performance, but with a more energy-efficient 8-nm process technology.
Kirin Generations:
- Kirin 710 (2018): More powerful Cortex-A73 cores, AI task support.
- Kirin 650 (2016): Practically identical to the 659 but with a lower frequency.
Summary: The Kirin 659 lags behind modern budget chips in performance and functionality but wins on price.
5. Use Cases: Who Is It Suitable For?
- Daily Tasks: Social networks, messengers, video watching.
- Light Gaming: Casual games, but not hardcore titles.
- Photo and Video: Recording at resolutions up to 1080p/60fps. Processing images with AI effects will take more time.
2025 Smartphone Examples:
- Huawei Nova 3e (2025 re-release): $169, 4 GB RAM, 64 GB storage.
- Honor 9X Lite: $199, 6 GB RAM, 128 GB storage.
6. Pros and Cons: Is It Worth Buying?
Advantages:
- Low cost of devices.
- Good battery life.
- Support for 4G and basic communication standards.
Disadvantages:
- No 5G and modern Wi-Fi/Bluetooth support.
- Weak GPU for gaming.
- Outdated process technology (16 nm).
7. Practical Tips for Choosing a Smartphone
- RAM and Storage: Choose models with at least 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage (or a slot for a memory card).
- Cooling: Devices with passive cooling (copper pipes) heat up less.
- Display: Full HD+ is optimal for multimedia.
- Price: Don’t overpay — smartphones with the Kirin 659 should not cost more than $250.
Typical Users:
- Students.
- Senior citizens.
- Those looking for a second phone for calls and messaging.
8. Final Conclusion: Who Is the Kirin 659 Suitable For?
This processor is a choice for those who:
- Are not willing to pay more than $200 for a smartphone.
- Do not play demanding games.
- Value battery life more than speed.
Key Benefits:
- Accessibility.
- Reliability in basic scenarios.
- Compatibility with most applications in 2025 (albeit with limitations).
Conclusion
The HiSilicon Kirin 659 is an example of a "workhorse" that, despite its age, continues to serve in the era of 5G and neural networks. If you need an affordable device for calls, internet use, and light tasks, devices on this platform will provide a reasonable compromise. However, for a future-proof solution, it is better to consider chips with 5G support and modern GPUs.