HiSilicon Kirin 950
HiSilicon Kirin 950: A Review of an Outdated Yet Still Relevant Processor for Budget Smartphones
April 2025
Introduction
The HiSilicon Kirin 950 is a system-on-chip (SoC) released by Huawei in 2015. Despite its age, this processor is still found in budget smartphones and devices for emerging markets. In 2025, it may no longer be competitive at the top of the market, but it remains an interesting option for those looking for affordable gadgets for basic tasks. In this article, we will explore the advantages and disadvantages of the Kirin 950 and identify who might find it useful.
1. Architecture and Process Technology: Why 16nm is Already History
CPU: Big.LITTLE and the Balance Between Power and Efficiency
The Kirin 950 employs a hybrid big.LITTLE architecture with eight cores:
- 4 Cortex-A72 cores with a frequency of up to 2.4 GHz for resource-intensive tasks;
- 4 energy-efficient Cortex-A53 cores with a frequency of up to 1.8 GHz for background processes.
This division allows for optimized power consumption, but by 2025, this configuration appears archaic. Modern processors (e.g., Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 or Dimensity 8000) have adopted clusters of three core types (Prime, Performance, Efficiency), which provide better adaptation to workloads.
GPU: Mali-T880 MP4 — Modest Graphics Capabilities
The Mali-T880 MP4 graphics accelerator, with four compute units, supports Vulkan 1.0, OpenGL ES 3.2, and OpenCL 1.2. In 2025, its performance is sufficient only for simple games like Candy Crush or Subway Surfers at low settings. Modern titles such as Genshin Impact or Call of Duty: Mobile will experience significant frame drops.
Process Technology: 16nm vs. 5nm
Manufacturing using 16nm technology (TSMC FinFET) was once groundbreaking, but today it feels outdated. For comparison, the flagship chips of 2025 (Apple A18, Snapdragon 8 Gen 4) are produced using 3nm standards, which offer higher performance and 40-50% lower power consumption. Nonetheless, 16nm allows for lower manufacturing costs, which is crucial for budget devices.
2. Performance in Real Tasks: What to Expect from a 2015 Processor
Gaming: Only for Casual Users
- Minecraft, Clash of Clans: Smooth FPS on medium settings.
- PUBG Mobile: Up to 30 FPS on low graphical presets, but possible drops in dynamic scenes.
- Modern AAA titles: Not recommended.
Multimedia: 4K Decoding, But No HDR
The Kirin 950 supports video decoding at 4K@30fps (H.264/H.265), but struggles with formats such as AV1 or HDR10+. For streaming Netflix in Full HD, its capabilities are adequate, though color reproduction quality will be average.
AI Applications: No Dedicated NPU
The chip lacks a dedicated neural processing unit (NPU), so AI tasks (photo processing, voice assistants) are handled through the CPU and GPU. This results in increased power consumption and latency. For instance, processing a portrait in Google Photos takes 1-2 seconds longer than on smartphones with Snapdragon 680.
Power Consumption and Heating: 5W — Not Always a Plus
With a TDP of 5W, the Kirin 950 shows modest appetite; however, due to the outdated process technology, it quickly heats up to 45-50°C under load. In smartphones without cooling systems (copper pipes, graphite films), this can lead to throttling — a reduction in core frequency after 10-15 minutes of gaming.
3. Built-in Modules: LTE Yes, 5G No
Modem: Only 4G LTE Cat.6
The built-in modem supports speeds of up to 300 Mbps (download) and 50 Mbps (upload). This is sufficient for surfing, YouTube, and Zoom, but for uploading large files or streaming in 4K, it's better to choose a 5G device.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: Modest Capabilities
- Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) supporting 2.4/5 GHz bands. Maximum speed — up to 433 Mbps.
- Bluetooth 4.2 — an outdated version. Lacks support for LE Audio, Dual Audio, or the improved aptX HD codec.
Navigation: GPS, GLONASS, but No Galileo
The chip works with GPS and GLONASS, ensuring positioning accuracy within 3-5 meters. However, the absence of Galileo and BeiDou support may be problematic in some regions (e.g., Europe).
4. Comparison with Competitors: Kirin 950 vs. The World of 2025
Generation 2015–2017: Snapdragon 820, Exynos 8890
- In multi-threaded tasks, the Kirin 950 outperformed the Snapdragon 820 due to its 8 cores but fell short in graphics (Adreno 530 vs. Mali-T880).
- Today, both chips are considered outdated, but the Kirin 950 wins in energy efficiency.
Budget Chips of 2025: Snapdragon 4 Gen 3, Dimensity 6100+
- Snapdragon 4 Gen 3 (4nm): 60% higher performance in Geekbench 6, supports 5G, Wi-Fi 6.
- Dimensity 6100+ (6nm): NPU for AI tasks, Mali-G57 graphics can run Genshin Impact on medium settings.
Conclusion: The Kirin 950 falls short against modern budget SoCs but may still be appealing in devices priced under $150.
5. Use Cases: Where Kirin 950 is Still Relevant
Gaming: Only suitable for casual games.
Everyday Tasks: Social media, messaging, web browsing, streaming video.
Photography and Video: Capture up to 4K@30fps (without stabilization), but photo processing takes longer. The chip performs best in smartphones with cameras up to 16 MP.
6. Pros and Cons: Is It Worth Buying?
Pros:
- Low device prices ($100–$200).
- Energy efficiency for basic tasks.
- Supports 4G LTE.
Cons:
- No 5G or Wi-Fi 6.
- Weak GPU for gaming.
- No NPU.
7. Tips for Choosing a Smartphone with Kirin 950
1. Battery: Look for models with a battery of at least 4000 mAh — this compensates for the lack of optimization.
2. Cooling: Devices with heat sinks or graphite coatings heat up less.
3. Screen: HD+ (720p) is sufficient — higher resolution is pointless due to the weak GPU.
4. Memory: Minimum of 4 GB RAM + 64 GB storage.
Examples of Devices in 2025:
- Huawei Enjoy 70e ($130): 6.5" HD+, 5000 mAh, 13 MP main camera.
- Honor Play 8A ($150): 6.3" IPS, 48 MP camera, NFC.
8. Final Conclusion: For Whom is This Processor?
The HiSilicon Kirin 950 is suitable for those who:
- Are looking for a smartphone under $200 for calls, social media, and YouTube.
- Do not plan to play demanding games.
- Live in areas with good 4G coverage.
Key Benefits: Low price, sufficient performance for everyday use, moderate power consumption. However, if your budget allows for an additional $50–$100, it's better to choose a device with Snapdragon 4 Gen 3 or Dimensity 6100+ — you'll gain 5G, modern AI capabilities, and a significantly smoother experience.
Conclusion
The Kirin 950 exemplifies how outdated technology finds a second life in the budget segment. It may not be suitable for demanding users, but for millions in need of a simple and affordable smartphone, it is a viable option. The critical thing is to clearly understand its limitations and not expect miracles from it.