HiSilicon Kirin 955
HiSilicon Kirin 955: Review of an Outdated but Relevant Processor for Budget Devices in 2025
April 2025
Introduction
Smartphones in 2025 impress with their performance, AI support, and instant content loading on 6G networks. However, there are still devices on the market built on processors from the last decade, like the HiSilicon Kirin 955. Released back in 2016, this chip is still found in budget gadgets and refurbished models. In this article, we will explore who might benefit from the Kirin 955 today, how it handles modern tasks, and what compromises users will need to make.
1. Architecture and Process Technology: A Legacy from the 4G Era
Cores and Frequencies
The Kirin 955 is an octa-core processor built on the big.LITTLE architecture. It includes:
- 4 high-performance Cortex-A72 cores clocked at up to 2.5 GHz for resource-intensive tasks;
- 4 energy-efficient Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 1.8 GHz for background processes.
This architecture allowed for a balance between performance and battery life, but in 2025, it seems outdated. Modern chips utilize clusters of three types of cores (for example, Cortex-X4, A720, and A520) which offer better adaptation to workload.
Graphics Processor
The Mali-T880 MP4 GPU with four compute cores supports Vulkan 1.0 and OpenGL ES 3.2. In its time, it managed games like Asphalt 8, but today even Genshin Impact on minimal settings will experience stutters.
16nm Process Technology
The chip is manufactured using a 16nm FinFET process. In comparison, modern processors (like the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4) use a 3nm technology, which reduces power consumption by 30-40%. As a result, the Kirin 955 heats up more, especially under prolonged load.
2. Performance in Real Tasks: What Can the Kirin 955 Do in 2025?
Gaming
- Light Projects: Candy Crush, Subway Surfers, Clash Royale — no problems.
- Medium Load: PUBG Mobile on low settings — 25-30 FPS, but may suffer from throttling.
- Heavy Games: Honkai: Star Rail or Call of Duty: Mobile — not recommended.
Multimedia
- Supports decoding 4K@30fps (H.264/H.265).
- No hardware acceleration for AV1 — streaming 4K on YouTube or Netflix will require software processing, increasing CPU load.
Artificial Intelligence
The Kirin 955 lacks a dedicated NPU (neural processing unit), so tasks like photo processing through neural networks (e.g., object removal) are performed slowly. Apps like Adobe Lightroom Mobile will work, but with delays.
Power Consumption and Heating
The chip's TDP is 5W, but due to the 16nm process and passive cooling in smartphones, it heats up quickly. During active use (navigation, gaming), throttling may occur — a reduction in frequency to prevent overheating. In everyday tasks (social media, messaging), the processor remains cool.
3. Built-In Modules: Basic Connectivity
- Modem: Supports 4G LTE Cat.12 (maximum speed up to 600 Mbps). 5G is absent — a significant drawback in 2025.
- Wi-Fi: Only Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), with no support for Wi-Fi 6E.
- Bluetooth: Version 4.2 — lacks Dual Audio or LE Audio features.
- Navigation: GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou. No satellite communication (as seen in Huawei Mate 60 Pro).
For basic tasks, this is sufficient, but streaming in 4K or online gaming in areas with weak 4G signals will be problematic.
4. Comparison with Competitors: Kirin 955 vs. the World in 2025
Against contemporaries (2016-2017):
- Snapdragon 820: Better in single-threaded tasks (Geekbench 6 Single-Core ~350), but worse in multi-threaded (Geekbench 6 Multi-Core ~800).
- Exynos 8890: Comparable in power but benefits from a more advanced Mali-T880 MP12 GPU.
Against budget chips in 2025:
- Snapdragon 4 Gen 3: 45% faster in Multi-Core (Geekbench 6 ~1500), supports 5G, Wi-Fi 6.
- MediaTek Dimensity 6100+: Better energy efficiency (6nm), NPU for AI tasks.
Conclusion: The Kirin 955 falls behind even new budget processors but may be advantageous in devices priced under $200.
5. Use Cases: Who is the Kirin 955 Relevant For?
- Gaming: Only for casual games.
- Everyday Tasks: Social media, browsing, HD video — no problems.
- Photo and Video: Capable of capturing up to 4K@30fps, but HDR processing or night modes can take 2-3 seconds per frame.
Ideal User: Someone looking for a cheap smartphone for calls, messaging, and occasional photos.
6. Pros and Cons
Advantages:
- Low device cost ($150–250).
- Sufficient performance for basic tasks.
- 4G support (relevant in regions without 5G).
Disadvantages:
- No 5G and Wi-Fi 6.
- Weak GPU for gaming.
- Heating under load.
7. Practical Tips: How to Choose a Smartphone with Kirin 955?
- Battery: Look for a model with at least a 4000 mAh battery — this compensates for the chip's high power consumption.
- Cooling: Devices with copper pipes or graphite coatings are less prone to throttling.
- Cameras: Choose smartphones with Sony IMX586 or Samsung ISOCELL GM1 sensors — these are easier for the Kirin 955 to process.
Examples of 2025 Models:
- Huawei P9 Refurbished Edition ($169) — compact design, Leica dual camera.
- Honor 8X 2025 reRelease ($199) — 6.5" screen, 5000 mAh battery.
8. Final Recommendation: Is It Worth Buying?
The HiSilicon Kirin 955 in 2025 is a choice for those who:
- Seek the cheapest new smartphone.
- Do not plan to play demanding games.
- Live in regions where 4G still dominates.
Key Benefits: Savings ($150–250 instead of $400+ for modern models), adequate performance for basic tasks. However, be prepared for a lack of features such as AI photo editors or cloud gaming through 5G.
Conclusion
The Kirin 955 is an example of a "workhorse" that, despite its age, remains relevant in the budget segment. If your needs are modest and your budget is tight, a smartphone with this processor will make for a reliable companion. However, for a future upgrade, it's better to consider devices with 5G support and modern chips — they will serve you longer.