HiSilicon Kirin 710
HiSilicon Kirin 710: Overview of Capabilities and Relevance in 2025
April 2025
Introduction
The modern mobile processor market is rapidly evolving, but even outdated chips continue to find their niche. The HiSilicon Kirin 710, released in 2018, is still found in budget smartphones. Why does it maintain its popularity, and who would benefit from it in 2025? Let's delve into the details.
1. Architecture and Manufacturing Process: The Basis of Performance
Cores and Frequencies
The Kirin 710 is built on a 12nm manufacturing process — a technology that is considered outdated by 2025. In contrast, modern flagship processors use 4nm or 5nm norms, offering better energy efficiency. The CPU architecture includes 8 cores arranged in a big.LITTLE configuration:
- 4 high-performance Cortex-A73 cores with a frequency of up to 2.2 GHz;
- 4 energy-efficient Cortex-A53 cores with a frequency of up to 1.7 GHz.
This configuration allows a balance between performance and power consumption, but it falls behind modern Cortex-A75/A55 and especially Cortex-X/A7xx cores.
GPU Mali-G51 MP4
The Mali-G51 MP4 GPU supports Vulkan 1.0, OpenGL ES 3.2, and OpenCL 1.2. It is designed for rendering at resolutions up to Full HD but has limited frame rates in demanding games. In comparison, the Mali-G77 (found in chips from 2023–2024) shows twice the performance.
Cache and Memory
The L2 cache level is 512 KB, which is typical for processors of its time. Modern chips have L3 cache (up to 4 MB), which accelerates the processing of complex tasks.
2. Real-World Performance
Gaming
The Kirin 710 handles casual games (Candy Crush, Among Us) and most titles at medium settings. For example, in PUBG Mobile, you can expect 30–40 FPS at HD graphics. However, in games like Genshin Impact, the frame rate will drop to 20–25 FPS even at low settings.
Multimedia
The chip supports 4K@30fps video decoding but is limited to recording at 1080p@60fps. It has enough power for streaming Netflix or YouTube in Full HD, but HDR content may experience stuttering.
Artificial Intelligence
There is no dedicated NPU (Neural Processing Unit) in the Kirin 710. AI tasks such as facial recognition or photo processing are handled through the CPU and GPU, which slows performance. For instance, applying filters in Adobe Lightroom will take 20–30% longer than on processors with an NPU (such as the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3).
Power Consumption and Heat
The chip has a TDP of 5 watts, but due to the 12nm manufacturing process, it can overheat under load. In smartphones with passive cooling (without heat pipes), this can lead to throttling — a reduction in core frequency after 10–15 minutes of gaming.
3. Integrated Modules: Connectivity and Navigation
Modem
The integrated LTE modem supports speeds up to 600 Mbps (Cat 12) but is not compatible with 5G. In 2025, this is a significant drawback given the proliferation of fifth-generation networks.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
- Wi-Fi 802.11ac (up to 433 Mbps), without support for Wi-Fi 6;
- Bluetooth 4.2 (A2DP, LE), which is inferior to the modern 5.3 versions with improved sound and energy efficiency.
Navigation
The chip works with GPS, GLONASS, and BeiDou, but does not support Galileo or QZSS. Positioning accuracy is sufficient for urban navigation, but inaccuracies may occur in mountains or forests.
4. Comparison with Competitors
Analogues from 2018-2020
- Snapdragon 660: Better optimized for gaming (Adreno 512 vs. Mali-G51), but similar in power consumption.
- MediaTek Helio P60: Comparable performance but weaker developer support.
- Exynos 7885: Similar benchmarks, but less popular in devices.
Modern Budget Chips (2025)
- Snapdragon 4 Gen 3: 5G support, AnTuTu 10 score ≈ 350,000, 40% better energy efficiency.
- MediaTek Dimensity 6100+: 6nm manufacturing process, integrated 5G modem, AnTuTu 10 score ≈ 320,000.
The Kirin 710 falls short in all parameters except price.
5. Use Cases
Gaming
Only suitable for undemanding games. For comfortable play in AAA titles, it's better to choose a smartphone with a Snapdragon 7 series or Dimensity 8000.
Everyday Tasks
- Social media, messaging, browsing — no issues;
- Multi-window mode — possible lag when running 3-4 applications simultaneously.
Photo and Video
- Supports cameras up to 48 MP (with EIS);
- Night photography requires longer processing times;
- Video recording at 1080p@60fps without stabilization.
6. Pros and Cons
Pros
- Low cost of devices ($150–$200);
- Sufficient performance for basic tasks;
- Stability due to mature architecture.
Cons
- Outdated manufacturing process;
- Lack of 5G and Wi-Fi 6;
- Weak GPU for modern games.
7. Practical Tips: How to Choose a Smartphone with Kirin 710
1. RAM Size: At least 4 GB, preferably 6 GB for background tasks.
2. Android Version: Ensure the device will receive updates to Android 14/15.
3. Battery: At least 4000 mAh to compensate for the 12nm chip's power consumption.
4. Cooling: The presence of heat pipes will reduce the risk of throttling.
Typical Devices in 2025
- Huawei P Smart 2025: 6.5" IPS, 4/128 GB, 50 MP camera — $170;
- Honor 10X Lite: 5000 mAh, 90 Hz screen — $160.
8. Final Conclusion
The HiSilicon Kirin 710 is a choice for those seeking the most affordable smartphone for basic tasks: calls, social media, and video playback. It is suitable for:
- Seniors;
- Teens as a first phone;
- Users not willing to pay extra for 5G.
The main benefits are price and proven reliability. However, for gaming, content creation, or AI-related tasks, it is better to consider devices with modern chips.
Conclusion
Despite its age, the Kirin 710 remains in demand in the budget segment. However, in 2025, it should only be considered as a temporary solution — technology does not stand still, and even for $200, more promising options can be found.