Is the Mate 70 Huawei’s ticket back to global smartphone leadership?

The launch of Huawei’s Mate 70 smartphone series marks a big moment in the company’s recovery within the premium smartphone market. Announced in Shenzhen, China, the Mate 70 series is poised to outperform its predecessor, the Mate 60, which saw over 14 million units sold since its release last September.

This new lineup incorporates advanced technology, escalating expectations amidst stiff competition from brands like Apple.

Huawei reintroduced its Kirin 5G chipsets with the Mate 60, sparking significant consumer interest and long queues at retail outlets. The Mate 60 series captured attention through features such as AI integration, high-end camera systems, and a pioneering satellite calling function. Despite being limited in stock, it achieved rapid sales, delivering 10 million units within four months.

The forthcoming Mate 70 series is anticipated to build on this success. Rumors indicate enhanced Kirin chipsets and an innovative camera arrangement aimed at providing superior photography experiences. Additionally, the Mate 70 may feature AI-powered gestures for streamlined phone operations, such as app duplication and media sharing. Huawei reportedly intends to maintain price points similar to the Mate 60 series, even with upgraded features, which could contribute to setting new sales records.

During the launch event, Richard Yu, chairman of Huawei’s Consumer Business Group, described the Mate 70 as “the most powerful Mate phone ever.” It is the first mainstream device to include a satellite paging system, alongside an improved processor and the company’s own HarmonyOS Next, enhancing performance by 40%. This launch arrives in a climate of uncertainty, with the U.S. poised to enforce further trade restrictions that may affect over 200 Chinese chip manufacturers’ access to critical technology.

HarmonyOS Next signifies Huawei’s efforts for software independence since U.S. sanctions restricted their access to Google services in 2019. While earlier versions of HarmonyOS retained Android compatibility, this new release represents a decisive break from Android, emphasizing Huawei’s commitment to its ecosystem. The company claims to have secured more than 15,000 applications for HarmonyOS, with ambitions to expand to 100,000 in the coming months.

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Huawei has reaffirmed its position in the Chinese smartphone market. Recent reports indicate that it secured the number two spot among smartphone vendors, shipping over 10 million units consecutively for four quarters, a substantial recovery from the low of 4.1 million units in the second quarter of 2022.

The Mate 70 series follows the Mate 60 series, acknowledged widely as a cornerstone in Huawei’s renaissance in the high-end smartphone arena. Teardown analyses have revealed that both the Mate 60 and Mate 70 series rely on advanced chips from China’s SMIC, showcasing the nation’s growing semiconductor capabilities amidst Western export controls.

With tensions still present over U.S. trade relations, Huawei’s path remains complex. We will monitor closely to see if the Mate 70 series can reach or exceed the sales figures set by its predecessor.

The Huawei Mate 70 series could be a significant step toward reclaiming global smartphone leadership, but it’s not a guaranteed ticket. The device showcases Huawei’s innovative edge, featuring advanced Kirin 5G chipsets, groundbreaking satellite capabilities, and HarmonyOS Next—marking a bold departure from Android. These features position Huawei as a strong contender in the premium smartphone market, especially in China, where it has regained substantial market share.

Featured image credit: Huawei