HiSilicon Kirin 710F
HiSilicon Kirin 710F: Review and Analysis of the Processor for Budget Smartphones 2025
April 2025
Introduction
The HiSilicon Kirin 710F is a processor that has remained popular in budget and mid-range smartphones since 2018. Despite the emergence of more modern chips, it continues to be used in devices priced under $200 due to its balance of performance and energy efficiency. In this article, we will explore what the Kirin 710F is capable of in 2025, who it is suitable for, and what compromises need to be considered.
1. Architecture and Process Technology
CPU: 8-Core Hybrid
The Kirin 710F is built on ARM's big.LITTLE architecture, which combines two groups of cores:
- 4 Cortex-A73 cores with a frequency of up to 2.2 GHz for resource-intensive tasks.
- 4 Cortex-A53 cores with a frequency of 1.7 GHz for background processes.
This approach allows for battery savings by switching between clusters depending on the load. However, in 2025, this configuration appears outdated, as modern processors utilize Cortex-A78/A55 or even Cortex-X cores for peak performance.
GPU: Mali-G51 MP4
The Mali-G51 MP4 GPU with 4 compute units supports Vulkan and OpenGL ES 3.2. Its power is sufficient for rendering simple 3D graphics, but demanding games will require lower settings.
Process Technology: 12 nm
The 12-nanometer process from TSMC provides moderate power consumption (TDP 5 W) but lags behind modern 6-7 nm chips in transistor density and efficiency.
2. Real-World Performance
Gaming
- Casual games (Angry Birds, Candy Crush): Run without issues at maximum settings.
- Mid-range 3D games (PUBG Mobile, Genshin Impact): Operate at low to medium settings with FPS ranging from 25-35. In Genshin Impact, frame rates may drop to 20 FPS during battles.
- Graphics: The Mali-G51 MP4 does not support ray tracing or HDR rendering.
Multimedia
- Video: Smooth decoding of 1080p/60 FPS (H.264, H.265) without delays. 4K playback is possible, but it generates heat.
- Audio: Supports codecs like AAC and FLAC but lacks advanced features such as Dolby Atmos.
Artificial Intelligence
The Kirin 710F features a first-generation separate NPU (Neural Processing Unit). It accelerates:
- Face recognition in the camera.
- Background blur in portrait mode.
- Automatic adjustment of shooting parameters.
However, its NPU lacks the power for complex tasks (like “Night Sky” mode or real-time video processing).
Energy Consumption and Heating
Thanks to the 12 nm process and TDP of 5 W, the chip rarely overheats even under prolonged load. In smartphones with a 4000-5000 mAh battery, it provides 6-8 hours of screen time.
3. Built-in Modules
Connectivity
- 4G LTE: Category 12 (up to 600 Mbps on download), without 5G support.
- Wi-Fi: 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) on 2.4/5 GHz.
- Bluetooth: 4.2 with BLE support.
Navigation
- GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou — standard package for budget devices.
Limitations
The absence of 5G and Wi-Fi 6 renders the chip unsuitable for future network standards. In 2025, this is critical only for users who plan long-term smartphone usage.
4. Comparison with Competitors
Analogues from 2018-2020
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 660: Better graphics (Adreno 512) but higher power consumption.
- MediaTek Helio P60: Similar performance but worse gaming optimization.
Modern Competitors (2024-2025)
- Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (4 nm): 70% faster in AnTuTu, supports 5G.
- MediaTek Dimensity 900 (6 nm): Better AI accelerator and graphics with Mali-G68.
Conclusion: The Kirin 710F lags behind new chips but comes at a lower price. It should be considered only in devices priced under $200.
5. Usage Scenarios
Gaming
Suitable for casual games and streaming (Xbox Cloud, GeForce Now). For native AAA games, it is an outdated option.
Daily Tasks
- Social media, messaging, web surfing — without lags.
- Multitasking: simultaneous operation of 5-7 applications (with 4-6 GB of RAM).
Photo and Video
- Main camera: capable of shooting in 1080p/30 FPS or 720p/60 FPS.
- AI filters: basic skin retouching, automatic HDR.
- Night mode: requires 3-4 seconds of stabilization, noise is noticeable.
6. Pros and Cons
Advantages
- Low cost of devices.
- Stable performance in basic scenarios.
- Good energy efficiency.
Disadvantages
- No 5G and Wi-Fi 6.
- Weak GPU for modern gaming.
- Outdated process technology (12 nm).
7. Practical Tips for Choosing a Smartphone
- RAM: At least 4 GB, preferably 6 GB.
- Android: Choose models with Android 13/14 and a promise of updates.
- Cooling: Devices with copper heat pipes are less prone to throttling under load.
- Price: Don’t overpay — a fair price in 2025 is $120-180.
Examples of smartphones:
- Huawei Nova 5i (2023) — $160, 6/128 GB.
- Honor 10X Lite (2024) — $140, 4/64 GB.
8. Final Conclusion: Who is the Kirin 710F Suitable For?
This processor is a choice for:
1. Budget users looking for a smartphone for calls, social media, and occasional gaming.
2. Secondary devices: For instance, a gadget for a child or a backup phone.
3. Fans of Huawei/Honor seeking an affordable model without Google services.
Main advantages: Low price, long battery life, and sufficient performance for basic tasks. However, if you plan to use the smartphone for 3-4 years, it’s better to opt for a device with 5G and a more modern chip (like those on Snapdragon 7 Gen 3).
Conclusion
The HiSilicon Kirin 710F in 2025 is a compromise. It attracts with its price and reliability, but it falls behind newer models in speed and functionality. If your needs are modest and your budget is tight, a smartphone with this chip will be a worthy companion. For other scenarios, the market offers more current options.