Huawei Prepares for Major Launch of 910C AI Chip Amidst Chinas Search for Nvidia Alternatives

Huawei Technologies is set to commence large-scale deliveries of its cutting-edge 910C AI chip to clients in China as soon as next month, according to two sources with knowledge of the situation.

They also mentioned that some initial shipments have already been dispatched.

The timing is advantageous for Chinese AI firms that are urgently seeking local substitutes for the H20, the main AI chip that Nvidia had been permitted to distribute freely in China until recently.

Earlier this month, the administration of US President Donald Trump informed Nvidia that selling the H20 would necessitate an export license.

Huawei’s 910C, categorized as a graphics processing unit (GPU), signifies an evolutionary step in architecture rather than a groundbreaking technological achievement, as noted by one of the two individuals and a third source familiar with its design.

It delivers performance that rivals Nvidia’s H100 chip by integrating two 910B processors into a single unit utilizing sophisticated integration methods, they explained.

This configuration doubles the computing power and memory of the 910B and incorporates gradual enhancements, including improved support for various AI workload data, they mentioned.

All individuals did not have authorization to speak to the media and opted to remain anonymous. Huawei chose not to comment on what it described as speculation regarding the 910C’s shipping timeline and capabilities.

In an effort to curb China’s technological progress, especially regarding military advancements, the U.S. has restricted access for China to Nvidia’s most advanced AI products, including its leading B200 chip.

For instance, in 2022, U.S. authorities prohibited the sale of the H100 chip in China even before its launch.

This has created an opportunity for Huawei and Chinese GPU startups like Moore Threads and Iluvatar CoreX to enter what has traditionally been an Nvidia-dominated market.

According to Paul Triolo, a partner at the consulting firm Albright Stonebridge Group, the recent export restrictions from the U.S. Commerce Department on Nvidia’s H20 «will lead to Huawei’s Ascend 910C GPU becoming the preferred hardware for (Chinese) AI model developers and for deploying inference capabilities.»

Sources have indicated that Huawei distributed samples of the 910C to several technology companies late last year and began taking orders.

Reuters has not been able to confirm which companies will primarily be involved in producing the 910C.

China’s SMIC is producing some main components of the GPUs utilizing its N+2 7nm fabrication process, although it has been reported that its chip yield rates are low, according to a previous source.

At least a portion of Huawei’s 910C GPUs incorporates semiconductors created by TSMC for China-based Sophgo, as per one of the sources and a fourth individual.

The Commerce Department is currently examining the work conducted by TSMC for Sophgo after a TSMC-manufactured chip was discovered in a 910B processor.

Lennart Heim, a researcher at RAND’s Technology and Security Policy Center in Arlington, Virginia, who monitors Chinese AI developments, noted that TSMC has produced nearly three million chips in recent years that correspond to the design ordered by Sophgo.

Huawei has reiterated that it does not use TSMC-manufactured Sophgo chips. Sophgo has not promptly responded to inquiries for comments.

TSMC stated that it adheres to regulatory demands and has not supplied Huawei since mid-September 2020.

© Thomson Reuters 2025

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