Huawei, the tech giant infamous for its tumultuous relationship with the U.S., made headlines yet again with the recent launch of its Mate 70 smartphone series, alongside its new operating system, HarmonyOS Next. While many are talking about the smartphone’s innovative features, the strategic shift away from Android is perhaps just as significant, not just for Huawei, but for the broader tech ecosystem within China and beyond.
Introduced at the Huawei headquarters in Shenzhen, the Mate 70 series marks the company’s bold move to step away from Google’s Android platform. This is especially noteworthy considering Huawei has been under severe U.S. sanctions since 2019, which effectively cut off its access to American technology, including the Android ecosystem. By developing its proprietary HarmonyOS, Huawei is striving for self-sufficiency, aiming to establish its own tech environment without reliance on Western technologies.
Richard Yu, the head of Huawei's Consumer Business Group, celebrated the launch at the event, declaring, "Today, the long-awaited Mate 70, the most powerful one ever, is here." With four different variants – Mate 70, Mate 70 Pro, Mate 70 Pro Plus, and Mate 70 RS – this series is now set to compete directly with Apple’s iPhone lineup, particularly as Chinese consumers show increasing loyalty to domestic brands. Pre-orders have already exceeded three million, showcasing the enthusiasm surrounding this product.
The Mate 70 series is powered by HarmonyOS Next, which signifies Huawei's departure from its previous operating systems derived from Android. The new HarmonyOS marks the transition from previous iterations to what the company calls a fully homegrown operating system. Unlike earlier versions, which utilized Android Open Source Project code, HarmonyOS Next is devoid of any Android components at its core, highlighting Huawei's commitment to innovation and independence.
Among the standout features of the Mate 70 series is its remarkable camera technology, together with advanced file transfer options. Users can transfer photos and documents effortlessly using hand gestures – much like Apple’s AirDrop feature but without the need for WiFi or cellular connections. This adds convenience for those using multiple devices within the Huawei ecosystem. For example, during the event, attendees experienced transferring images by mimicking physical grabbing motions, showcasing how user-friendly technology can make sharing content feel more intuitive.
Another impressive aspect is how Huawei's new OS introduces immersive features across its suite of devices. The cameras not only excel at still photography but also offer capabilities to capture moving objects and replicate them as crisp images. This functionality aligns with Huawei's plan to make its devices stand out within the saturated smartphone market.
Yet, as much as this launch signals innovation, it also raises questions about the broader implications of Huawei's self-sufficiency efforts. The former market leader was significantly hampered by U.S. sanctions, which led to the loss of access to not just software but also hardware components from global suppliers. This drove Huawei to innovate internally, creating its own semiconductors and now, its operating systems, to function independently from American technology.
According to Gary Ng, a senior economist at Natixis, "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 performance improvement." The need for such advancement stems from the tech war between Washington and Beijing, signaling the intense rivalry and indicating where future innovation and development strategies may pivot to prioritize self-sufficiency.
The stakes couldn't be higher. Huawei’s future, like many companies caught up in the crossfire of international politics, hinges on its ability to adapt and thrive without foreign dependencies. By integrating their hardware and software ecosystem, Huawei hopes to replicate Apple's vertical integration, wherein they control both the design of their devices and the accompanying OS seamlessly. The successful launch of HarmonyOS could potentially influence the global tech scene, particularly if it gains traction outside of China.
Huawei’s efforts to strengthen its position following crippling U.S. sanctions are also seen as part of a larger trend. Toby Zhu, senior analyst at Canalys, notes, "Rather than Huawei inspiring the tech industry as a whole, it is the self-reliance trend of the Chinese tech industry which has made Huawei's progress possible." The pressure to innovate under such circumstances means consumers can expect more consistent and feature-rich devices with each successive model.
While the Mate 70 series has many attributes to tout, the challenge remains whether developers will be onboard to develop applications for the HarmonyOS ecosystem. Some industry insiders express skepticism about whether international software developers are willing to invest resources to adapt their apps to HarmonyOS Next. Reports highlight the challenges faced by developers, noting costs could run as high as 2 million yuan to customize existing apps for Huawei’s new operating system. Paul Triolo, from Albright Stonebridge Group, suggests Huawei must continuously improve its software and developer support to convince the developer community of its commitment to long-term development of the Harmony ecosystem.
Huawei is certainly taking steps to bolster its image and apprehension within the consumer technology arena. A new focus on accelerated app development led to the company’s announcement to provide incentives for developers to transition to HarmonyOS, including improved collaborations and access to resources to ease the development process.
The impacts of Huawei's pivot to HarmonyOS and its device release also reflect the shifting dynamics of consumer expectations within the technology sector. Not only do consumers desire cutting-edge features and functionalities, but they are demanding transparency and assurance from companies about their data privacy and security within increasingly connected environments. Huawei's track record amid allegations of governmental surveillance has led to consumers being more skeptical, yet it seems their strategy could hinge on regaining public trust as they forge this new operational path.
On the hardware front, Huawei plans to implement its latest Kirin chipset within the Mate 70 series. While some analysts have pointed out the Kirin's performance may not match leading chipsets from Qualcomm and MediaTek, Huawei's plan relies on consistently improving its chip capabilities alongside hardware and software synergies.
The company is also expected to reveal more features and systems aimed to enrich user experience. An example seen elsewhere is the introduction of health and productivity tools resembling functionalities for remote work settings, as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Though Huawei's Mate 70 smartphones will initially only be available domestically, the potential for international markets remains tantalizing. There have already been speculations about how Huawei plans to expand its reach beyond China's borders, particularly with the launch narratives surrounding its foldable devices like the Mate X6. The prospect of gaining a foothold outside its home market might signify Huawei’s attempt to challenge prevailing giants such as Apple head-on.
Huawei is not merely launching new smartphones; it is crafting its narrative of resilience amid challenges posed by geopolitical climate and the quest for technological independence. The question remains to what extent HarmonyOS Next can penetrate markets traditionally dominated by iOS and Android and whether consumers outside of China will adopt Huawei's alternative.
Having set the stage with ambitious plans, Huawei’s next steps will be watched closely by both supporters and adversaries alike. While consumer loyalty remains to be seen, Huawei's determination to become less reliant on external resources could alter the future of technology within China and potentially impact global markets as they compete for the lead.