HiSilicon Kirin 710A
HiSilicon Kirin 710A: Budget Processor for Everyday Tasks in the 5G Era
April 2025
Introduction
In a world dominated by 5G networks and 4nm processors, the HiSilicon Kirin 710A seems modest. However, this chip remains popular in budget smartphones due to its balance of price and basic performance. Developed by the Chinese company HiSilicon (a subsidiary of Huawei), it targets users who do not need top-tier specifications but value stability and battery life. In this article, we will explore what makes the Kirin 710A stand out in 2025 and who it is suitable for.
Architecture and Technology Process: Outdated Foundation, but Proven Reliability
Cores and Frequencies
The Kirin 710A is built on a 14nm process, which is considered outdated in 2025. In comparison, modern flagship devices use 3-4nm technology, while competitors in the budget segment are using 6-8nm. Nevertheless, this processor maintains relevance due to its energy efficiency and low production costs.
The CPU configuration includes 8 cores:
- 4 Cortex-A73 cores with a frequency of up to 2.0 GHz for resource-intensive tasks;
- 4 Cortex-A53 cores with a frequency of 1.7 GHz for background processes.
The 512KB L2 cache speeds up data processing but is insufficient for complex calculations. The Big.LITTLE architecture optimizes power consumption: powerful cores are activated during gaming, while energy-efficient cores handle standby tasks.
GPU Mali-G51 MP4
The Mali-G51 MP4 graphics accelerator with 4 cores delivers basic gaming performance. It supports Vulkan 1.1 and OpenGL ES 3.2, but is not designed for heavy projects like Genshin Impact on high settings. It performs reliably with titles like Mobile Legends or PUBG Mobile (medium settings, 30 FPS).
14nm Technology: Pros and Cons
The main drawback is higher heat output and lower efficiency compared to 7-8nm chips. However, 14nm is cheaper to produce, which lowers device costs. With a TDP of 5W, it ensures moderate power consumption: smartphones with the Kirin 710A can easily last 1-2 days without recharging.
Performance in Real-World Tasks: Modest but Stable
Gaming
The Kirin 710A is suitable for casual gaming:
- Honkai: Star Rail — low settings, 25-30 FPS;
- Call of Duty: Mobile — medium settings, stable 30 FPS;
- Asphalt 9 — high settings, but with occasional drops.
For smooth gaming, system optimization is crucial. For instance, in smartphones with GPU Turbo technology (Huawei's proprietary solution), performance increases by 10-15%.
Multimedia
The processor supports 4K@30fps video decoding and Full HD encoding. This allows for viewing videos on YouTube in high resolution, but shooting video in 4K is only feasible under ideal conditions (low light can result in artifacts).
Artificial Intelligence
The Kirin 710A lacks a dedicated neural processing unit (NPU), so AI tasks (e.g., scene recognition in the camera) are handled by the CPU and GPU. This slows down processing: HDR photo processing takes 2-3 seconds, while chips with NPUs (e.g., Snapdragon 7 Gen 3) accomplish the same in milliseconds.
Power Consumption and Heat Management
Thanks to its 5W TDP and passive cooling (in most devices), the processor hardly heats up during everyday use. However, during gaming, temperatures can reach 42-45°C, leading to throttling — a reduction in core frequency after 15-20 minutes of gaming.
Built-In Modules: 4G in the Era of 5G
Modem
The Kirin 710A is equipped with a 4G modem supporting LTE Cat.12 (up to 600 Mbps download). In 2025, this appears archaic, especially in regions with developed 5G infrastructure. However, in countries where 5G is just being introduced (e.g., India, parts of Africa), such a modem remains in demand.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
- Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) supporting 2.4/5 GHz bands;
- Bluetooth 5.0 with LE support for connecting smartwatches and headphones.
These standards are sufficient for everyday tasks, but they lag behind Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 in terms of speed and stability.
Navigation
The chip supports GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, and Galileo. Positioning accuracy is within 3-5 meters, which is acceptable for urban navigation.
Comparison with Competitors: Budget Segment
HiSilicon Kirin 710A vs Qualcomm Snapdragon 680
- Snapdragon 680 (6nm): Better energy efficiency (+15%), higher GPU performance (Adreno 610 vs Mali-G51). AnTuTu 10 score — ~280K.
- Kirin 710A: Cheaper, but lags in gaming and app loading speed.
HiSilicon Kirin 710A vs MediaTek Helio G85
- Helio G85 (12nm): Stronger GPU (Mali-G52 MC2), higher CPU frequency (up to 2.0 GHz), AnTuTu 10 score — ~250K.
- Kirin 710A: Better optimized for multitasking, generates less heat.
Previous Generations
A comparison with the Kirin 710F (12nm, 2.2 GHz) shows that the 710A is weaker by 10-12% due to reduced clock speed and a coarser manufacturing process.
Use Cases: Who is the Kirin 710A For?
Gaming
Suitable only for non-demanding games. If you play 1-2 hours a day, it will suffice. For hardcore gamers, devices with Snapdragon 7 Gen 2 or Dimensity 9000 are preferable.
Everyday Tasks
- Social media, messaging, streaming video;
- Document work (Google Docs, Excel);
- Simultaneous opening of 3-5 apps.
Photography and Video
Maximum supported camera resolution is 48 MP (interpolated to 64 MP). Night mode shooting requires software processing, which increases the time to save photos. Video recording is supported up to 1080p@60fps.
Pros and Cons
Advantages
- Low device cost ($150-250);
- Good battery life (4000-5000 mAh);
- Stable performance in basic scenarios.
Disadvantages
- Lack of 5G;
- Weak GPU for modern games;
- Outdated 14nm technology.
Practical Tips When Choosing a Smartphone
1. RAM Size: Minimum 4GB, ideally 6GB.
2. Android Version: Ensure the device will receive updates to Android 16.
3. Display: IPS or AMOLED with a 90Hz refresh rate will enhance the experience.
4. Cooling: Models with graphite layers are less likely to suffer from throttling.
Typical Devices with Kirin 710A
- Huawei Enjoy 70 (2025) — $170, 6.75" IPS, 5000 mAh;
- Honor Play 8T — $190, 6.6" 90 Hz, 48 MP camera.
Conclusion: Who is the Kirin 710A Suitable For?
This processor is a choice for those who:
- Are not willing to pay extra for 5G;
- Value long battery life;
- Use their smartphone for social media, calls, and light gaming.
The main benefits are an affordable price, stability, and proven reliability. In 2025, the Kirin 710A does not impress with innovations but remains a workhorse in the budget segment. If you need a "smart" device for basic tasks—consider devices built on this platform.