Huawei has unveiled the Mate 70 smartphone series, pushing forward its premium offerings while showcasing its HarmonyOS NEXT operating system, which is free of Android.
The launch signals Huawei’s continued efforts to reduce reliance on U.S. technology amid tightening export restrictions.
The Mate 70 succeeds last year’s Mate 60 series, which marked Huawei’s comeback in the high-end market after facing setbacks from U.S. sanctions.
Priced from 5,499 yuan ($758), the Mate 70 undercuts Apple’s iPhone 16, which starts at 5,999 yuan in China.
Key Features
- HarmonyOS NEXT: The new OS breaks entirely from Android, enhancing performance by 40% over previous models.
- Dual OS Options: Users can choose between HarmonyOS 4.3 (Android-compatible) or HarmonyOS NEXT 5.0.
- Satellite Paging System: The Mate 70 is the first mainstream smartphone with this feature.
- Processor: It is powered by Huawei’s Kirin 9100 chipset, produced by Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC).
Strategic Independence
Huawei has been testing HarmonyOS NEXT since 2024, with over 15,000 apps already on board and plans to grow this to 100,000.
However, Android compatibility remains as a fallback while the ecosystem develops further.
Market Impact
Research shows Huawei shipped over 10 million units in Q3 2024, making it China’s second-largest smartphone vendor.
Analysts predict Mate 70 shipments could exceed 10 million units, reflecting growing consumer support amid patriotic sentiments and competitive pricing.
This launch arrives just as the U.S. considers adding up to 200 Chinese chip firms to its trade blacklist, potentially impacting Huawei’s supply chain.
Despite challenges, the Mate 70 highlights Huawei’s advances in both hardware and software, strengthening its position in China’s smartphone market.
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