Huawei Enjoy 70X: A Breakthrough in the Affordable 5G Market

Huawei Enjoy 70X: A Breakthrough in the Affordable 5G MarketFor the past couple of years, Huawei's loyal fans, particularly younger ones, haven't had it easy. While older users might have felt less impacted by the lack of 5G initially, enjoying the smooth performance of HarmonyOS and appreciating features like satellite communication and variable aperture, younger consumers faced challenges

Huawei Enjoy 70X: A Breakthrough in the Affordable 5G Market

For the past couple of years, Huawei's loyal fans, particularly younger ones, haven't had it easy. While older users might have felt less impacted by the lack of 5G initially, enjoying the smooth performance of HarmonyOS and appreciating features like satellite communication and variable aperture, younger consumers faced challenges. Huawei's flagship Mate and P series offered reliable performance, but the affordable segment lagged, offering only basic functionality suitable for students. Budget constraints prevented many young users from accessing higher-end devices. Even the "miraculous return" of Kirin chips didn't fully address this need. The most affordable 5G Kirin-powered phone, the Huawei nova 12, started at 2699 yuan, pricing it out of reach for many young consumers. With HarmonyOS Next needing wider adoption, a 5G Kirin-powered phone in the affordable segment was crucial, a need that Huawei is now addressing.

Digital blogger @DigitalChatStation on Weibo revealed an upcoming Huawei Enjoy 70X, featuring a new Kirin 5G processor, BeiDou satellite messaging, and a 50MP RYYB main camera. Its expected launch is early January in Huawei's online store and physical outlets. This move by Huawei is a significant one.

Kirin 8000A: The Rise of an Entry-Level HarmonyOS Chip?

Huawei's devices generally share similar processor bases, differing mainly in CPU frequency, core count, and performance. By year's end, Huawei has released seven subtly tweaked Kirin processors (9020, 9010, 9000S1, 9000S, 9000WL, 9000SL, 9000WM), dubbed the "Kirin 9000 universe" by netizens. However, the Kirin 9000 is beyond the reach of the Enjoy series. The Enjoy 70X is rumored to use the Kirin 8000A 5G chip: a 32.2GHz A77 large core + 31.8GHz A55 small core configuration, a Mali-G610 GPU clocked slightly lower at 628MHz, and likely the Balong 5000 5G modem.

Compared to the Kirin 8000 (which scored around 550,000-600,000 on Antutu, 950 single-core and 2678 multi-core on Geekbench 6, outperforming Snapdragon 6 Gen 1/778G), the Kirin 8000A, with a quarter fewer cores and a slightly lower clock speed, is expected to score around 450,000-500,000 on Antutu. Similar to the relationship between Kirin 9010L and Kirin 9010, the Kirin 8000A represents Huawei maximizing existing resources. For Huawei, needing a comprehensive product upgrade, this mid-to-low-end chip (similar in positioning to the Kirin 710) is valuable. More importantly, Huawei's optimization of HarmonyOS on Kirin chips is expected to surpass Snapdragon-based experiences, potentially featuring the latest HarmonyOS Next, making it possibly the cheapest pure-blood HarmonyOS phone. The Kirin 8000A brings Huawei closer to its goal of full Kirin + 5G coverage.

BeiDou Satellite Messaging and RYYB Main Camera: Highlights of the Enjoy 70X

The Enjoy 70X's design has been leaked, resembling past Huawei releases. The front features a 6.78-inch 120Hz OLED curved display with a 27001224 (1.5K) resolution and 2160Hz PWM dimming, using a centered dual-punch-hole design (although the 8MP single selfie camera seems to unnecessarily justify the dual holes).

The rear features a "star ring" design, but only two cameras are functional: a 2MP depth sensor and a 50MP RYYB main camera (50MP 1:1.9/23 ASPH, 23mm equivalent focal length, f/1.9 aperture, with aspherical lens). This sensor is likely the same as the one in the Huawei nova 9 series (possibly IMX766 or similar), offering a 1/1.56-inch sensor size. RYYB filters increase light intake by 40% compared to RGGB. With Huawei's algorithm optimization, the camera performance could be surprisingly good.

However, the most surprising feature isn't the screen or the main camera; it's BeiDou satellite messaging support. This ~1799 yuan phone's inclusion of this feature is a testament to Huawei's commitment to satellite communication, contrasting with other manufacturers' more conservative approaches.

A More Affordable Huawei: A Strong Comeback

The Enjoy 70X, while seemingly a rebranded/re-chipped Maimang 30, is likely a transitional product. While not exceptionally powerful, its lower price, RYYB main camera, BeiDou messaging, and optimized HarmonyOS 4.2 make it attractive. Focusing on long battery life, practicality, and value, it brings Kirin chip technology and some high-end features to the affordable segment, aiming to replicate the success of the nova 12 series. While a completely feature-rich Kirin 9 series phone like the nova 6 is still desired, the Enjoy 70X successfully lowers the price barrier for HarmonyOS Next.

CES 2025 kicks off on January 7th, 2025, and Lei Technology's reporting team will be in Las Vegas for live coverage.