In an unexpected move, Huawei Technologies has announced presales for its latest flagship smartphone, the Mate 60 Pro.
This launch marks a determined effort to reinvigorate its smartphone business following the tumultuous impact of US trade sanctions. With the Mate 60 Pro, Huawei showcases its commitment to innovation, boasting the world's first smartphone to support satellite calls.
A Bold Revival Strategy
Shenzhen-based Huawei, once a global leader in smartphone technology, has faced substantial setbacks due to trade sanctions imposed by the US government.
In April, Huawei said that the Chinese semiconductor industry would be "reborn" in the face of US sanctions.
However, the South China Morning Post reports that the company seems undeterred in its pursuit of a comeback. The surprise presales launch of the Mate 60 Pro, priced at 6,999 yuan (US$962), speaks volumes about Huawei's confidence in its product's appeal and technological prowess.
The Mate 60 Pro comes equipped with the cutting-edge Harmony 4.0 operating system, signaling Huawei's determination to redefine user experience.
Moreover, the device showcases the prowess of Huawei's self-developed Pangu artificial intelligence (AI) model.
While specific details regarding the processor and network connectivity remain undisclosed, the tech community eagerly anticipates these critical specifications.
Demand and Anticipation
SCMP also reports that the announcement has triggered a remarkable surge in demand, leading to an overwhelmed online mall, Vmall.
Users were greeted with a message indicating that "there are too many people waiting," underscoring the excitement surrounding the Mate 60 Pro.
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For those seeking an offline experience, Huawei's flagship store in Shenzhen hosted the Mate 60 Pro launch. A modest queue of around 25 customers formed outside the store, hinting at the handset's appeal.
However, the in-store staff remained enigmatic about the device's connectivity standards, stating that the company had not made an official announcement yet. Despite this, the sales staff hinted at the handset's impressive speed.
Navigating Challenges, Future Outlook
Based on data from Statista, Huawei managed to sell over 32 million smartphones in the last quarter of 2020. This made up a bit less than 8% of all smartphones sold worldwide during that time.
While Huawei has been the leading seller of smartphones in China since 2017, it has faced difficulties in keeping pace with international competitors.
The company had briefly surpassed Samsung as the world's largest smartphone vendor before the 2019 US ban disrupted its trajectory. With a market resurgence in mainland China, shipping 14.3 million units in H1 2023, Huawei is steadfast in reclaiming its former glory.
The embargo led to a halt in Huawei's 5G smartphone releases, creating a gap in its product lineup.
The company resumed the flagship P-series launch in April after a prolonged hiatus, followed by the release of the previous Mate-series handset in September, albeit limited to 4G connectivity.
However, a potential silver lining emerges as local suppliers gear up to provide fresh chip supplies, paving the way for the resumption of 5G smartphone releases by year-end.
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