Substrate
world

Huawei Says Its Chips Will Reach 1.4-Nanometer Density by 2031

Huawei announced a new chip design method at a Shanghai conference on Monday. The company said the approach would allow it to match the transistor density of leading 1.4-nanometer processes within five years despite U.S. sanctions.

Nbc News
Japan Times
2 sources·May 25, 7:08 AM(4 days ago)·1m read
|
Huawei Says Its Chips Will Reach 1.4-Nanometer Density by 2031Nbc News
Audio version
Tap play to generate a narrated version.

Huawei said Monday that its high-end chips will reach transistor density equivalent to 1.4-nanometer processes by 2031. The announcement came at a semiconductor symposium in Shanghai. The company presented a design called LogicFolding that stacks circuits vertically instead of shrinking transistors on a flat surface.

Huawei also introduced the Tau Scaling Law, which focuses on reducing the time data moves inside chips.

Chinese chip production is estimated at the 7-nanometer level. Taiwan-based TSMC plans to begin mass production at 1.4 nanometers in 2028. Huawei said the new stacking method would reduce reliance on extreme ultraviolet lithography machines that remain restricted under U.S. sanctions.

He Tingbo, president of Huawei’s semiconductor business, told reporters that thermal management and system integration are still major issues. The company did not release independent performance data to support its claims. Analyst Brady Wang of Counterpoint Research told Reuters that China may narrow the gap with global leaders but a technology gap with the most advanced nodes will still remain.

The hashtag #HuaweiSemiconductorFieldNewBreakthrough generated 40 million views on Weibo. Some users compared the announcement to last year’s DeepSeek AI model release. Chinese state media said competition between the U.S. and China should remain moderate and aimed at mutual advancement.

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said last week that the two countries had agreed to launch an intergovernmental dialogue on AI.

Key Facts

1.4-nanometer density
target transistor density Huawei aims to reach by 2031
LogicFolding
3D stacking design replacing 2D transistor shrinkage
7-nanometer
current estimated Chinese chip production level

Story Timeline

3 events
  1. May 25, 2026

    Huawei announced the LogicFolding design and Tau Scaling Law at a Shanghai symposium.

    2 sourcesNbc News · Japan Times
  2. May 2025

    Huawei released a three-year road map for building AI chips.

    1 sourceNbc News
  3. 2023

    Huawei launched the Mate 60 series with a China-produced 5G chip.

    1 sourceNbc News

Potential Impact

  1. 01

    U.S. sanctions on semiconductor equipment remain in place.

  2. 02

    Huawei plans to continue developing chips without access to advanced lithography tools.

Transparency Panel

Sources cross-referenced2
Confidence score74%
Synthesized bySubstrate AI
Word count240 words
PublishedMay 25, 2026, 7:08 AM
Bias signals removed1 across 1 outlet
Signal Breakdown
Amplifying 1

Related Stories

Journalists in Gaza to Receive 2026 Golden Pen of Freedom Awardstraitstimes.com
world2 hrs ago

Journalists in Gaza to Receive 2026 Golden Pen of Freedom Award

Three international news agencies will accept the award on behalf of their local staff still reporting from the territory. The World Association of News Publishers cited the journalists' continued coverage under extreme conditions.

Al-Monitor
AF
2 sources
Supreme Court Revives Havana Docks Lawsuit Over Confiscated Cuban Propertyupi.com
world2 hrs ago

Supreme Court Revives Havana Docks Lawsuit Over Confiscated Cuban Property

The U.S. Supreme Court sent a Helms-Burton Act case back to lower courts for further argument. The suit seeks damages from cruise lines that used docks seized by Cuba in 1959.

FO
1 source
Pakistan Population Growth Outpaces Infrastructure as Male Contraception Stays TabooFrance 24
world2 hrs agoDeveloping

Pakistan Population Growth Outpaces Infrastructure as Male Contraception Stays Taboo

Pakistan's population exceeds 258 million and could reach 300 million by 2030. Contraception remains largely taboo in a society shaped by traditional values. The country continues to lag behind neighbors India and Bangladesh in key social sectors.

FR
France 24
2 sources