Huawei is making waves again in the tech world with the launch of the Mate 70 smartphone series, marking a significant leap in its quest for technological independence. This flagship launch is about more than just new hardware—it represents a bold step in distancing itself from Western technology and establishing a fully homegrown ecosystem. As the U.S. moves forward with new export controls, Huawei is determined to carve its own path with HarmonyOS NEXT, an Android-free alternative.

Huawei’s Stand Against U.S. Curbs

On Tuesday, Huawei unveiled the Mate 70 series in Shenzhen, further demonstrating its technological resilience in the face of ongoing U.S. sanctions. The new series is the successor to the Mate 60, which launched last year, a line that symbolized Huawei’s return to the high-end smartphone arena after years of U.S. trade restrictions.

The Mate 70 is priced competitively, with base models starting at 5,499 yuan (approximately $758), putting it head-to-head with Apple’s iPhone 16, which retails for 5,999 yuan in China. The launch comes amid expectations of new U.S. export restrictions that may impact over 200 Chinese chip companies, intensifying the tech race between China and the United States.

Richard Yu, Chairman of Huawei’s consumer business group, described the Mate 70 as “the most powerful Mate phone ever” during a livestreamed event. The smartphone is equipped with Huawei’s newly developed HarmonyOS NEXT—a departure from the Android ecosystem—as well as a satellite paging system, an improved processor, and a focus on artificial intelligence features, all aimed at cementing Huawei’s technological independence.

HarmonyOS NEXT: The Path to Independence

Huawei’s proprietary operating system, HarmonyOS NEXT, is the centerpiece of the Mate 70’s offerings. Unlike previous versions of HarmonyOS that included Android code, HarmonyOS NEXT marks a complete departure from Google’s influence, making Huawei’s operating system wholly independent. This version is pivotal to Huawei’s future strategy of breaking free from reliance on Western technology.

Despite the major push for HarmonyOS NEXT, Huawei is keeping its options open by offering Android compatibility in some models. Richard Yu confirmed that users will have a choice between HarmonyOS 4.3, which retains Android compatibility, and HarmonyOS NEXT 5.0, which runs without any Android components. This dual strategy suggests Huawei is still in the process of transitioning its ecosystem fully away from Android.

The future of HarmonyOS looks promising, with Huawei recently announcing that it had secured over 15,000 applications for the system, with a goal of reaching 100,000 apps in the coming months. This robust developer ecosystem is essential if Huawei hopes to challenge the dominance of Android and iOS.

Enhanced Performance with Homegrown Chips

Another key highlight of the Mate 70 series is its enhanced performance, driven by Huawei’s Kirin 9100 chipset, reportedly manufactured by Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC), China’s leading contract chipmaker. While Huawei has remained tight-lipped on the specifics of its new chip, sources indicate that these chips are behind the powerful AI and satellite capabilities of the Mate 70.

The Mate 70’s advanced chips underscore China’s growing capabilities in semiconductor manufacturing, despite the Western embargoes intended to stifle these advancements. Huawei’s market resurgence is largely attributed to a wave of patriotic sentiment, as Chinese consumers have rallied around the brand in support of its technological breakthroughs.

Market Comeback and Growing Competition with Apple

The Mate 70 is part of Huawei’s broader comeback in the Chinese smartphone market. In the third quarter of 2024, Huawei was ranked as China’s second-largest smartphone vendor, shipping more than 10 million units. This growth stands in stark contrast to the company’s struggles just a couple of years ago, illustrating the power of Huawei’s resilience and its strategic pivot toward self-sufficiency.

The resurgence of Huawei’s premium smartphones poses a significant challenge to Apple, which has long enjoyed a dominant position in the Chinese market. According to Counterpoint Research, Huawei’s share of the market for smartphones priced above $600 grew from 11% in the third quarter of 2022 to 33% this year, while Apple’s share dropped from 72% to 52%.

This growth is a testament to Huawei’s successful repositioning in the face of adversity. The competitive pricing of the Mate 70 and its promise of enhanced AI features, improved processor performance, and unique hardware, like the satellite paging system, make it a formidable competitor to Apple’s iPhone 16.

The Road Ahead: Huawei’s Vision for Technological Sovereignty

Huawei’s push for self-reliance doesn’t end with HarmonyOS NEXT. During the launch event, Yu announced that from next year, all new Huawei smartphones and tablets would run on the Android-free HarmonyOS NEXT. This complete migration is a bold move that, if successful, could cement Huawei as a true challenger to Apple and Google, at least within the Chinese market.

The company’s emphasis on AI tools also aligns with broader industry trends, as smartphone makers race to attract customers through enhanced features like photo editing and interaction with popular apps. Huawei has already secured partnerships with major Chinese apps such as Alipay, integrating them smoothly into HarmonyOS NEXT.

The success of HarmonyOS NEXT and the Mate 70 series could redefine the global smartphone landscape, especially as Huawei looks to expand beyond its home market. For now, though, Huawei’s ambitions remain focused on China, where the company is positioned to challenge Apple head-on and showcase its technological independence.