Huawei, under tight US sanctions since 2019, started selling its latest Mate 60 Pro smartphone this week, raising speculation about its 5G capabilities. Some online reviews claim the device comes with the Kirin 9000s chip to support 5G and satellite calls.

The US and some European governments have labelled the Chinese giant a threat to national security, despite the company's denial. Huawei had restricted access to US components and software, including from foreign chipmakers. Early this year, Japan and the Netherlands joined the US effort to curb the export of advanced semiconductors.

However, Huawei has been rumoured to be actively trying to overcome these sanctions to return to the 5G smartphone market, even resuming production on advanced chips with China's Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC).

Why does it matter?

Huawei's development of its 5G chip may have implications for the tech industry, the global economy, and geopolitics. The smartphone launch coincides with US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo's visit to Beijing, reiterating the Biden administration's stance on export controls to China.

If the new Mate 60 Pro is confirmed to have a 5G chip, that would mark a significant achievement for the Chinese tech champion.

China's ability to produce its own advanced chips would also announce a considerable advancement in technological capabilities and would mean a serious blow to current US measures aimed at slowing its progress.