Hisilicon Kirin 970

The HiSilicon Kirin 970, launched in late 2017, was a landmark in mobile technology as the world's first mobile AI computing platform. It introduced a dedicated Neural Network Processing Unit (NPU), which pioneered on-device AI for photography, noise reduction, and performance optimization HisiliconDigitaltrends.

Market Trends & Insights (2026)

As of June 2026, the Kirin 970 has transitioned from a flagship processor to a legacy/vintage component.

* Performance Gap: While it was revolutionary at launch, its 10nm architecture and Cortex-A73 cores are now significantly outperformed by modern 3nm and 4nm chips. It lacks the efficiency and 5G connectivity required for contemporary high-performance mobile needs HisiliconPhonearena.

* Supply Chain Shift: The B2B market for Kirin 970 is now primarily focused on refurbished devices (e.g., Huawei Mate 10 and P20 Pro) and niche embedded development boards like the HiKey 970 for AI research and low-power computing applications ElectromakerTechinsights.

* Secondary Market Utility: In the current market, Kirin 970 devices serve as cost-effective options for bulk second-hand distributions, secondary backup phones, or basic media players in emerging markets where 4G LTE is still the primary standard EpeyKimovil.

Key Product Applications

The Kirin 970 powered several iconic Huawei and Honor flagship models that are still available in the refurbished wholesale market:

* Flagship Smartphones: Huawei P20 Pro, Huawei Mate 10 Pro, and Honor 10 EpeyKimovil.

* Special Editions: Huawei Mate RS Porsche Design Epey.

* Developer Ecosystem: The HiKey 970 remains a reference for developers interested in legacy HiAI architecture Electromaker.

I have compiled a list of available development boards, refurbished device wholesalers, and component suppliers in the attached files for your reference.