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| The Huawei Matebook Pro S pictured |
Huawei has officially confirmed two new Kirin PC processors during a HarmonyOS computer technology briefing today, representing the company's first public, onstage announcement of its PC silicon lineup. The revelation comes as Huawei continues to push boundaries in the desktop computing space, signaling a strategic shift toward self-reliance in processor development.
Zhu Dongdong, president of Huawei's Tablet and PC product line under Terminal BG, took the stage to share the latest results for HarmonyOS computers at the event. The executive confirmed that Huawei will maintain its commitment to desktop-class processor development, with the Kirin XE90 and X90 Plus positioned as the company's next major entries in this growing portfolio.
The Kirin X90 Plus is being positioned as a high-performance PC processor, while the all-new Kirin XE90 targets the high-efficiency segment. This dual-pronged approach mirrors strategies seen in the mobile processor space, where performance and efficiency cores work in tandem to optimize user experience across different computing scenarios.
Zhu also emphasized that Huawei plans to build on a unified HarmonyOS foundation spanning HarmonyOS tablets, commercial tablets, PCs, and commercial PCs. This unified approach suggests the company is working toward a seamless ecosystem where devices share common architecture and software experiences.
For a deeper dive into the announcement and technical breakdown of the new chips, check out this comprehensive video coverage.
Two New Chips for Two New Laptops
While no official specifications were released for either chip at the briefing, Huawei separately announced two new computers today that will showcase these processors' capabilities. The MateBook Fold Ultimate Design and the company's lightest laptop ever, the MateBook Pro S, are both set to launch on August 5.
The chip-to-device pairings were clearly demonstrated onstage: the X90 Plus will power the MateBook Fold Ultimate Design, while the XE90 will drive the MateBook Pro S. This arrangement makes strategic sense given each device's thermal envelope and intended use case, with the foldable design likely requiring more processing power and the ultra-light laptop benefiting from power efficiency.
Kirin XE90: Efficiency Meets Innovation
Huawei's comparison slides for the XE90 claim impressive performance gains over the original Kirin X90, including 23% higher single-core performance, 25% higher efficiency, and 40% higher NPU throughput. Perhaps most notably, a separate slide touted the debut of ray-tracing support on HarmonyOS PCs, demonstrated using two basketball titles.
These improvements don't appear to be simple clock-speed bumps on the existing X90 die. The original X90's GPU, believed to be derived from the Maleoon 920 generation, lacks ray-tracing hardware entirely. Huawei's first RT-capable GPU is the Maleoon 935 found in the Kirin 9030 Pro, which launched for the Mate 80 series in November 2025.
That GPU also underwent significant architectural changes, with a large area increase from added CUs (from 4 to 6) despite each CU shrinking by about 28% and including built-in RT support. The NPU also moved to a larger multicore cluster. Taken together, these details strongly suggest that the XE90 inherits GPU and NPU IP from the 9030 generation rather than being a straightforward X90 refresh.
For official specification details and performance benchmarks, you can refer to Huawei's Weibo announcement.
Kirin X90 Plus: A Leap in Manufacturing Technology
Huawei claimed that the X90 Plus uses a smaller process node than the original X90's SMIC N+2 (7 nm-class) process. While the exact target node hasn't been independently confirmed, N+3—the node used for the Kirin 9030—is the most likely candidate, given that it has already been proven in volume production.
This potential advancement in manufacturing technology could position the X90 Plus competitively against established players in the desktop processor market. A smaller process node typically translates to better power efficiency, higher transistor density, and improved performance characteristics—all crucial factors in the highly competitive PC processor landscape.
The MateBook Fold Ultimate Design, which will house this chip, represents Huawei's vision for next-generation computing experiences. The foldable form factor combined with high-performance computing capabilities could redefine how users interact with their devices, particularly in productivity and multimedia scenarios.
What This Means for the Industry
Huawei's continued investment in PC processor development comes at a time when the global semiconductor industry faces significant challenges. The company's ability to develop competitive chips despite geopolitical constraints demonstrates the resilience and innovation capacity of Chinese technology companies.
The unified HarmonyOS foundation across tablets, commercial tablets, PCs, and commercial PCs suggests Huawei is building an ecosystem where applications and services can seamlessly transition between devices. This approach mirrors strategies employed by Apple with its M-series chips and ecosystem integration, suggesting Huawei is positioning itself as a serious competitor in the premium computing space.
For images from the briefing and detailed slides on the processor specifications, check out this Weibo post.
The MateBook Pro S, featuring the XE90 chip, appears designed for professionals who need high performance in a lightweight package. As the company's lightest laptop ever, it could appeal to mobile professionals, students, and business travelers who prioritize portability without sacrificing computing power.
Looking Ahead
With both devices set to launch on August 5, consumers won't have to wait long to experience these new processors firsthand. The performance claims made during the briefing suggest Huawei has made significant strides in PC processor development, potentially narrowing the gap with established competitors in the Windows and macOS ecosystems.
The integration of ray-tracing support in HarmonyOS PCs marks another milestone, bringing desktop-class graphics capabilities to the platform. As gaming and content creation continue to drive processor innovation, Huawei's willingness to incorporate these features suggests the company sees PC gaming as a priority for future development.
The unified HarmonyOS approach could also provide advantages in multi-device workflows, allowing users to seamlessly transition between computing tasks across different form factors. This ecosystem thinking has been a hallmark of successful tech companies, and Huawei appears to be embracing it fully.
As the August 5 launch date approaches, more details about performance benchmarks, pricing, and availability are expected to emerge. The initial reception to these announcements has been positive among industry observers, who see Huawei's continued processor development as a positive sign for competition in the desktop computing space.
What do you think about Huawei's new Kirin PC processors? Will the performance claims hold up in real-world testing? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Source : Bilibili via _zyslover_, Weibo via 周一同学, 你的大川同学
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| Huawei showcased the new chip's ray tracing |
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| Huawei Matebook Pro S to have the Kirin XE90 |
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| Huawei Matebook Fold to have Kirin X90 Plus |
