HiSilicon Kirin 970
HiSilicon Kirin 970: Review of an Obsolete Chip in the Year 2025
April 2025
Introduction
The HiSilicon Kirin 970, released in 2017, was one of the first mobile processors featuring a dedicated neural processing unit (NPU). Eight years later, this chip can still be found in budget smartphones, particularly in regions with limited access to new technologies. In this article, we will analyze how relevant the Kirin 970 is in 2025, its strengths and weaknesses, and who should consider devices with this processor.
Architecture and Process Technology: The Basics of Hardware
CPU:
The Kirin 970 is built on a hybrid Big.LITTLE architecture:
- 4 high-performance Cortex-A73 cores with a frequency of up to 2.36 GHz;
- 4 energy-efficient Cortex-A53 cores with a frequency of up to 1.8 GHz.
The total L2 cache is 2 MB. In 2025, such a configuration appears archaic: modern chips use Cortex-A78/X1 cores and higher, with cache sizes increasing by 3–5 times.
GPU:
The graphics accelerator is the Mali-G72 MP12 with 12 cores. It supports API Vulkan 1.1 and OpenGL ES 3.2 but is not compatible with new standards like Ray Tracing. It is sufficient for casual games like Among Us or Candy Crush, but projects like Genshin Impact will require minimal graphic settings.
Process Technology:
The 10nm technology is considered outdated in 2025. In comparison, modern chips (like Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 or Dimensity 9300) are produced using 3nm standards, providing better energy efficiency and transistor density.
Performance in Real Tasks
Gaming:
- Casual Gaming: The Kirin 970 handles games like Clash Royale and Subway Surfers on high settings.
- Heavy Projects: In PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty: Mobile, you’ll have to set the graphics to "Low" or "Medium" for stable 30 FPS. Modern AAA titles like Honkai: Star Rail may lag even on the minimum settings.
Multimedia:
- Supports 4K@60fps video decoding (H.265/HEVC) and HDR10. However, it lacks the power for streaming content in 8K or HDR10+.
- Audio: The chip is compatible with FLAC, AAC formats but does not support advanced codecs like Dolby Atmos without third-party enhancements.
AI Applications:
The built-in NPU (neural processing unit) is the main feature of the Kirin 970. In 2017, it sped up facial recognition, camera scene recognition, and voice commands. In 2025, its capabilities are sufficient for basic tasks:
- Photography with AI filters (e.g., automatic portrait enhancement);
- Voice processing in Google Assistant or Yandex.Alice.
However, for complex tasks (like image generation via Stable Diffusion or real-time AI translations), the chip is too weak.
Power Consumption and Heating:
With a TDP of 9W, this is a modest figure even for its time. In devices with a 4000mAh battery, the Kirin 970 provides 6–8 hours of screen time. However, due to the 10nm process and passive cooling, prolonged loads (gaming, video editing) may lead to overheating and throttling.
Integrated Modules: Connectivity and Navigation
- Modem: Supports 4G LTE Cat.18 (speeds up to 1.2 Gbps). The absence of 5G is a serious drawback in 2025.
- Wi-Fi: 802.11ac module (Wi-Fi 5) with a maximum speed of 866 Mbps. No support for Wi-Fi 6/6E.
- Bluetooth: Version 4.2 (without LE Audio and improved power savings).
- Navigation: GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou. Positioning accuracy in urban areas is ±5 meters, which falls short of modern standards (±1–2 m).
Comparison with Competitors
In 2025, the Kirin 970 competes with budget chips:
1. Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 (4nm):
- Geekbench 6: 720 (Single), 2100 (Multi);
- Supports 5G, Wi-Fi 6.
- Devices: Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 (from $180).
2. MediaTek Dimensity 700 (7nm):
- Geekbench 6: 650 (Single), 1900 (Multi);
- 5G, Bluetooth 5.2.
3. Unisoc T606 (12nm):
- Geekbench 6: 350 (Single), 1200 (Multi);
- Cheaper than the Kirin 970, but weaker in gaming.
Conclusion: The Kirin 970 only outperforms Unisoc but falls behind Snapdragon and MediaTek in energy efficiency and functionality.
Usage Scenarios
1. Gaming: Only for non-demanding games.
2. Daily Tasks: Social media, messaging, web surfing, streaming video (up to 1080p).
3. Photography and Video:
- 4K@30fps recording (electronic stabilization, no optical stabilization);
- AI enhancement of images (night modes perform worse than on modern chips).
Pros and Cons of the Kirin 970
Pros:
- Low price of devices (new smartphones range from $120–$200);
- Presence of NPU for basic AI tasks;
- Supports 4K video.
Cons:
- Outdated process technology (10nm);
- Lack of 5G and Wi-Fi 6;
- Limited gaming performance;
- OS update issues (often Android 11–12 with no prospects for upgrades).
Practical Tips When Choosing a Smartphone
1. Price: Don’t overpay. Devices with Kirin 970 should cost no more than $150–180.
2. Memory: Minimum of 4GB RAM and 64GB storage.
3. Battery: Look for models with a battery of at least 4000mAh.
4. Screen: IPS or AMOLED with a 60Hz refresh rate is sufficient for basic tasks.
5. Examples of 2025 Models:
- Huawei Nova 3i (2025 re-release): $140, 4/128 GB, AMOLED;
- Honor Play (2025 Edition): $160, 6/128 GB, 5000mAh.
Final Conclusion: Who is the Kirin 970 Suitable For?
This processor is a choice for:
- Budget users who do not need 5G and top-tier games;
- Secondary markets where low price is important;
- Specific tasks, like basic photography with AI.
Main Benefits: Cost savings, adequate performance for everyday use, support for 4K content. However, for long-term use (3–4 years), it is better to consider devices with Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 or Dimensity 700.
P.S. If you are buying a smartphone in 2025 as a temporary solution or for a child, the Kirin 970 may be justified. But for future upgrades and modern technologies, you should look at newer chips.