Huawei launched the Huawei Pura X quietly, without publicly revealing its chipset — a move that aligns with the company’s non-disclosure policy surrounding SoC details. However, during post-launch hands-on sessions, it was confirmed that the device is powered by the Kirin 9020, the latest in-house chipset developed by HiSilicon, Huawei’s semiconductor division.
🔍 Kirin 9020: Huawei’s Custom Silicon
The Kirin 9020 first debuted with the Huawei Mate 70 series in November 2024, and now makes its way into the Pura X. This chipset is notable for being a fully self-developed platform, crafted by Huawei as part of its push for technological independence following U.S. trade restrictions.
⚙️ CPU Configuration
According to system information tools used during hands-on demos, the Kirin 9020 features:
- 12-core CPU (as shown by hyperthreading)
- True configuration: 8 cores, broken down into:
- 1x Taishan Big Core @ 2.5 GHz
- 3x Taishan Mid Cores @ 2.15 GHz
- 4x Cortex-A510 Cores @ 1.53 GHz
The Taishan cores are Huawei-designed architectures, while the Cortex-A510 cores are licensed from Arm — acquired before Huawei was placed on the U.S. Entity List.
Despite being under geopolitical pressure, Huawei has managed to build a competent custom CPU platform that reportedly delivers performance comparable to Qualcomm’s top-tier Snapdragon chips.
🎮 GPU: Maleoon 920
The Kirin 9020 also features the Maleoon 920 GPU, another in-house development from Huawei. Key highlights include:
- Maximum clock speed: 840 MHz
- Architectural details: Not disclosed
- Performance tier: Mid-range
While the CPU matches flagship-level competition, the GPU performance remains modest, positioning the Pura X for users who prioritize general performance and efficiency over heavy gaming or GPU-intensive tasks.
🛡️ Self-Reliance and Entity List Workaround
The Pura X is the latest evidence of Huawei’s continued push for self-sufficiency in silicon. Despite being blacklisted and cut off from advanced semiconductor manufacturing tools and U.S.-based IP, Huawei has managed to build a processor that combines in-house innovation with pre-restriction resources.
The Taishan cores and Maleoon GPU reinforce Huawei’s goal of total vertical integration, from hardware design to software (HarmonyOS).
Final Thoughts
The Huawei Pura X Kirin 9020 pairing marks a strategic evolution for the brand, showcasing its capability to produce high-performance chipsets under restricted conditions. While the GPU lags behind gaming-focused flagships, the CPU offers competitive day-to-day performance and highlights Huawei’s technical resilience.
As Huawei continues to refine its chip design and AI processing capabilities, the Kirin 9020 could be a stepping stone toward a more powerful successor. In the meantime, the Pura X stands as a capable device with the benefit of being 100% Huawei from the inside out.
