HiSilicon Kirin 960
HiSilicon Kirin 960: Overview of an Outdated but Significant Processor in 2025
(Relevance, Performance, and Use Cases in the Era of 5G and AI)
Introduction: Why is Kirin 960 Still Mentioned?
Although the HiSilicon Kirin 960 was announced back in 2016, it still remains a part of discussions around budget smartphones in 2025. This chipset, developed by Huawei, was once considered flagship, but is now found in affordable devices (new models priced at $150–250). In this article, we will explore who it is suitable for today, how it handles tasks, and what its strengths are.
1. Architecture and Technology Process: The Legacy of 16nm
CPU: Big.LITTLE and 8 Cores
The Kirin 960 is built on the classic ARM big.LITTLE architecture:
- 4 Cortex-A73 cores (high-performance) with frequencies up to 2.36 GHz;
- 4 Cortex-A53 cores (power-efficient) at 1.84 GHz.
GPU: Mali-G71 MP8
The Mali-G71 MP8 graphics processor, based on Bifrost architecture, includes 8 compute units. In 2025, it demonstrates modest performance, but supports Vulkan API and OpenGL ES 3.2.
Technology Process: 16nm
Compared to modern 5-7nm chips, the 16nm process lags in energy efficiency and transistor density. This leads to increased heating under load, although the TDP is only 5W.
Cache and Memory
- L2 cache: 4MB (shared across the A73 cluster);
- Support for LPDDR4 RAM (up to 1866 MHz) and eMMC 5.1/UFS 2.1.
2. Performance in Real Tasks: What Can Kirin 960 Do in 2025?
Gaming
- Modern 3D Games: Only low settings in titles like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty: Mobile. Average FPS is 25-30, with possible drops.
- Casual Games: Candy Crush, Among Us — no issues.
Multimedia
- Video: Support for 4K@30fps (encoding and decoding), H.265/HEVC;
- Audio: 32-bit/192kHz sound, but lacks modern codecs like aptX Adaptive.
AI Applications
Absence of a dedicated NPU. Basic tasks (face recognition, camera filters) are handled via CPU/GPU, which slows down performance.
Power Consumption and Heating
- Battery: In devices with a 4000mAh battery, autonomy is 6-8 hours under moderate use;
- Throttling: Under prolonged loads (streaming, gaming), overheating and frequency drops can occur.
3. Built-in Modules: Connectivity without 5G
- Modem: LTE Cat. 12 (up to 600 Mbps download), without 5G support;
- Wi-Fi: 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5), but lacks Wi-Fi 6/6E;
- Bluetooth: 4.2 (no BLE 5.0 or LE Audio);
- Navigation: GPS, GLONASS, Galileo.
Drawbacks for 2025:
- Slow Wi-Fi compared to modern standards;
- Inability to connect to 5G networks.
4. Comparison with Competitors: Time vs. Budget
2016-2017 Generation:
- Snapdragon 835 (10nm): Better energy efficiency, Adreno 540 is more powerful than Mali-G71 MP8;
- Exynos 8895 (10nm): Higher performance in single-threaded tasks;
- Apple A10 Fusion (16nm): Advanced optimization for iOS.
Modern Analogues (2025):
- Snapdragon 4 Gen 3 (6nm): 5G support, AnTuTu ~350,000;
- MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ (6nm): Superior AI accelerator, energy efficiency.
Conclusion: The Kirin 960 falls short even against budget chips of 2025 but is cheaper to manufacture.
5. Use Cases: Who is this Chip Suitable For?
Gaming
- Suitable for children or those who play rarely.
Everyday Tasks
- Social media, messaging, web surfing — no lags;
- Multitasking is limited: simultaneous operation of 5-7 apps.
Photo and Video
- Cameras up to 20MP: With good software (e.g., Huawei P10), images are acceptable;
- Night photography: Noise due to weak ISP.
6. Pros and Cons
Advantages:
- Low cost of devices ($150–250);
- Sufficient performance for basic tasks;
- Support for 4G and Wi-Fi 5.
Disadvantages:
- Outdated process technology (16nm);
- Lack of 5G and modern connectivity standards;
- Weak GPU for games in 2025.
7. Practical Tips: How to Choose a Smartphone with Kirin 960?
- Price: Don’t overpay — a maximum of $200 for a new device;
- Battery: Look for models with at least 4000mAh;
- Cooling: Check for the presence of heat pipes;
- Memory: Minimum of 4GB RAM + 64GB ROM;
- Updates: Android 10-12 with EMUI — potential security issues.
Typical Devices:
- Huawei Mate 9, P10 — refurbished models;
- Budget brands like UMIDIGI or Blackview.
8. Final Conclusion: Who is Kirin 960 Suitable For?
This processor is a choice for:
- Budget-conscious users who don't need 5G and high-end gaming;
- Backup devices or gadgets for elderly people;
- Situations where price is more important than performance.
Main Benefits:
- Availability;
- Reliability of a proven platform;
- Support for basic communication functions.
Conclusion: The HiSilicon Kirin 960 in 2025 is an example of a “workhorse” for undemanding scenarios. It may not impress, but it fulfills its role in the budget segment. If you are looking for a device for calls, messaging, and occasional gaming — it’s worth considering. For everything else, there are more modern solutions available.