Chinese tech giant Huawei has officially launched its long-awaited Mate 70 series smartphones, marking the company's return to the forefront of the mobile market and signaling its commitment to technological independence through the introduction of its own operating system, HarmonyOS Next. This launch event held on November 26, 2024, at Huawei's Shenzhen headquarters showcased the latest devices, which include the Mate 70, Mate 70 Pro, and Mate 70 Pro+, all powered by the newly developed operating system.
The Mate 70 series is particularly significant as it runs entirely on HarmonyOS Next, representing Huawei's departure from using the Android platform, which was heavily modified to work around U.S. sanctions placed upon the company since 2019. These sanctions had initially crippled Huawei’s access to the global supply chain and key technologies, including software and semiconductors, making it difficult for the company to compete internationally. Richard Yu, chairman of Huawei's consumer business group, emphasized during the launch, "Today, the long-awaited Mate 70, the most powerful one ever, is here."
One of the major challenges for Huawei with HarmonyOS Next will be attracting app developers to its platform. Unlike previous iterations based on Android's open-source code, HarmonyOS Next requires developers to completely rework applications for compatibility. Gary Ng, a senior economist at Natixis, stated, "HarmonyOS Next is the first home-grown operating system, marking a milestone for China to move away from reliance on Western technologies for software with improved performance." This requirement raises concerns about whether the new operating system can offer the same extensive app selection as its competitors.
Despite these challenges, initial reception for the Mate 70 has been enthusiastic, with over three million pre-orders registered on Huawei's online shopping platform, though it remains to be seen how many of these will translate to actual purchases. The Mate 70 phones are not only powerful but also showcase new artificial intelligence capabilities, including advanced photo editing features, which Huawei hopes will attract users who crave innovation.
The Mate 70’s launch is viewed as integral to Huawei's strategy to reclaim its position as a leading smartphone manufacturer, particularly after its previous successes and setbacks. Once the largest domestic smartphone maker in China, Huawei's market share dwindled amid international scrutiny and competition, primarily from Apple. Recent Canalys reports indicate Huawei has regained some footing, capturing about 16% of the Chinese smartphone market.
Analysts believe this generation of products cannot afford to misstep, especially considering the high expectations set by the marketplace. Toby Zhu, senior analyst at Canalys, mentioned, "This generation of products cannot afford to miss the mark because everyone has high expectations for them." With the previous Mate 60 series exceeding expectations and signaling technological advancements, the stakes are even higher for Huawei's latest endeavor.
Pricing for the Mate 70 series starts at 5,499 yuan (approximately $760) for the base model, the Mate 70, and goes up to 8,499 yuan (around $1,170) for the Mate 70 Pro+. This pricing strategy positions Huawei competitively against Apple and other smartphone giants, especially among middle to high-end consumers excited about the latest technology.
The rollout of the new Mate series is also viewed as somewhat of a test of how far Huawei can stretch its capabilities amid continued sanctions from the U.S. A key focus is on Huawei's resilience and ability to innovate against the backdrop of political and economic tensions between Washington and Beijing. The Mate 70 devices symbolize more than just technological advancement; they embody Huawei's determination to establish itself as a self-reliant tech entity capable of competing with major Western firms.
Despite the challenges posed by U.S. sanctions — which have led to claims of Huawei being unable to produce high-end chips — the company has made impressive strides. The Mate 60 series was widely regarded as cutting-edge, featuring technology and chips many experts believed to be beyond Huawei’s reach, showcasing the ingenuity and determination present within the Chinese tech sector.
During the launch, Richard Yu noted, "We have always been copied but never surpassed." This sentiment captures Huawei's resolve to redefine its narrative and influence within the global market. With its new operating system and devices positioned as mainstream alternatives to Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android, the launch of the Mate 70 series not only exemplifies growth for Huawei but also presents it as a key player amid the U.S.-China tech rivalry.
Can Huawei outperform its rivals amid heightened scrutiny and competition? Will HarmonyOS Next find significant adoption and support from developers? The answers to these questions may determine Huawei's course over the coming years, as the company charts its path forward through innovation and independence from Western technology.
