Huawei has kicked off the latest chapter of its smartphone saga with the launch of the Mate 70 series on November 26, 2024. This launch is particularly noteworthy as the company strives to move beyond the constraints imposed by U.S. export controls and present itself as resilient and self-sufficient.Ready to take on its competitors, Huawei's Mate 70 series introduces three models: the Mate 70, Mate 70 Pro, and Mate 70 Pro+. Each of these devices will showcase cutting-edge features, marking the company's ambitious leap toward autonomy with its own operating system, HarmonyOS NEXT, fully replacing the Android framework.
The Mate 70 series follows the Mate 60 lineup, which was released under the shadow of U.S. sanctions restricting Huawei's access to high-tech components. The new smartphone series was launched during a significant event held at the company's Shenzhen headquarters, where Richard Yu, the chairman of Huawei’s Consumer Business Group, touted the Mate 70 as “the most powerful Mate phone ever.” This assertion is backed by powerful specs including the new Kirin 9020 chip, which rumor has it could rival the performance of contemporaries like the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1.
According to analyst reports, the Mate 70 Pro scores approximately 1.25 million on performance benchmarks, comparable to Apple’s iPhone 14. The devices are not just strong on computing power; they're also fitted with advanced capabilities such as satellite paging systems, which offer users functionality well beyond standard communication features. This makes it critically clear: Huawei is not just adjusting but innovatively reinventing.
Yu emphasized the company's aim to wean itself off dependence on U.S. technology, describing the new Kirin chip as part of Huawei’s strategy to build components internally. “The Mate series has always been imitated but never surpassed. Copying will not lead to success,” declared Yu, underlining Huawei's commitment to innovation.
Despite these positive developments, the backdrop of the launch is quite telling. Just days before the Mate 70 series event, reports surfaced indicating the U.S. government might implement even more severe export controls, which could blacklist hundreds of Chinese chip manufacturers, tightening the noose on tech companies like Huawei.
With pre-orders for the Mate 70 series already exceeding three million, it appears consumers are eager to embrace Huawei's latest offerings. This enthusiasm might point to the brand's enduring resonance among users, even amid geopolitical tensions. Pricing for the Mate 70 starts at RMB 5,499 (around $827) and can reach up to RMB 6,999 (approximately $965), depending on specifications like storage and RAM.
The Mate 70 devices are available with various options including 12 GB and 16 GB of RAM, alongside storage choices ranging from 256 GB to 1 TB—fitting for tech enthusiasts and users alike.
Using advanced technology such as the Kirin 9020 processor, which features an architecture made up of 12 cores, users can expect up to 31% improvements over frame rates compared to the previous Mate 60 series. With cores clocking at 2.5 GHz for high performance, 2.15 GHz for mid-range tasks, and 1.6 GHz to conserve energy, performance capabilities have advanced significantly.
Aside from power and efficiency, Huawei also aims to expand its ecosystem. The HarmonyOS NEXT is being positioned as not just software but as part of Huawei’s broader vision of creating a seamless and independent technology environment. Over 15,000 applications are already available on the HarmonyOS platform, and Huawei aims to make significant progress toward enhancing user experience with future updates.
Overall, the release of the Mate 70 series seems more than just another product launch; it reflects Huawei's strategy to navigate and adapt to the constantly shifting tides of global technology battles. With its homegrown operating system and substantial technological advancements, Huawei is aiming to solidify its place on the world stage, no matter the challenges thrown its way.
