Despite being subject to strict trade restrictions imposed by the United States, Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei has managed to develop its latest smartphone, according to a report by Bloomberg. The smartphone, which was released in August, boasts wireless speed comparable to the latest iPhones from Apple and supports 5G and satellite calls, as noted by several online reviews. This device may be Huawei’s first to feature a new 5G chip since the company lost access to American technology three years ago.
Huawei has been working diligently to recover from the US sanctions that were imposed in 2020. These sanctions effectively cut off the company from key technologies, such as semiconductors and other advanced products supplied by major chip makers. However, despite these difficulties, the testing conducted by Bloomberg has shown that the new Huawei Mate 60 Pro has bandwidth capabilities similar to other 5G smartphones, reaching speeds of over 350 megabits per second.
According to Bloomberg analysts Charles Shum and Sean Chen, Huawei’s new 5G chip, which powers the Mate 60 smartphone, is likely fabricated by SMIC (Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation). This marks a significant milestone in China’s semiconductor development. However, the analysts anticipate limited financial uplift for SMIC in 2024 due to production yield challenges and material constraints.
While it remains unclear what chips Huawei used in the production of this new smartphone, it is essential to note that before 2020, Huawei was a prominent player in the global smartphone industry, standing behind only Samsung and Apple. However, the company heavily relied on technology and components sourced from the US or produced by entities operating under American patents. As a result, Huawei has struggled to compete globally in recent years as it lacked the necessary hardware, particularly chipsets and 5G modems, due to the US trade restrictions.
Notwithstanding these challenges, Huawei managed to maintain its dominance in the Chinese market, accounting for around 30% of smartphone sales in the country last year, making it the largest phone vendor in China. However, the company’s global market share as of July stood at approximately 4%.
In conclusion, Huawei’s ability to develop and release a new smartphone with 5G capabilities despite facing trade curbs and technological limitations showcases its resilience and determination to continue innovating. The performance of the new Mate 60 Pro suggests that Huawei remains a force to be reckoned with in the smartphone industry. However, the company still faces hurdles in regaining its global standing and overcoming the challenges posed by US restrictions.
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