Huawei May Unveil a 3nm Gaming Phone in 2026

A recent rumor originating from China suggests that Huawei might introduce a new gaming smartphone equipped with a 3nm chipset sometime next year. Despite the current reliance on SMIC’s 7nm technology for its devices, this unconfirmed report adds an intriguing possibility to the company’s future product lineup.

The rumored handset is said to be powered by the Kirin 9030 SoC, fabricated with an “equivalent 3nm process.” This claim comes as Huawei prepares to launch its Mate 80 series in November. Although the upcoming Mate 80 devices are expected to feature the Kirin 9030 chip, there is a new leak suggesting that Huawei will venture into the gaming segment by launching a phone with advanced chipset technology.

The source of this information, Weibo tipster Instant Digital, asserts that the company plans to release a gaming smartphone using its latest chipset in an “equivalent 3nm process.” However, it’s important to note that both Huawei and SMIC have yet to achieve any manufacturing processes beyond 7nm. Previous reports indicated that Huawei was working on a true 5nm production line without relying on EUV lithography machines, which are currently inaccessible due to sanctions imposed by the U.S.

Adding another layer of speculation, Huawei recently trademarked the name “Mate 80 GTS,” hinting at its possible foray into gaming phones. Given that many brands have found success in this sector, it makes sense for Huawei to follow suit. Nonetheless, without a high-performance chip fabricated using advanced processes such as 3nm or 5nm, competing effectively in the gaming phone market could prove challenging.

With China reportedly set to mass-produce 5nm chips next year, the possibility of seeing more advanced technology from Huawei remains open. As we await further details, it’s clear that there are still many uncertainties surrounding this potential launch.