Huawei’s latest innovation is a game-changer: a tri-fold phone that sets a new standard and crushes the competition. But let’s rewind to 2019, when Huawei faced its darkest hour. Following the U.S. ban, many believed the company was doomed. Instead, it sparked a fire that drove Huawei to innovate like never before. From developing their own chips to creating proprietary operating systems, Huawei proved they were always two steps ahead.
The Rise of Huawei – Untill Huawei Mate XT
What made Huawei so remarkable in the first place? Look no further than the P30 Pro, launched just before the ban. It was the camera king, boasting 5x optical zoom while competitors struggled with 2x. Its 40-megapixel RYYB sensor captured unprecedented light, revolutionizing smartphone photography.
Before that, the Mate 20 Pro had already broken barriers as one of the first devices to feature a 7nm chip. It also introduced reverse wireless charging, allowing users to charge headphones or even other phones. Samsung followed suit the next year with the S10, a testament to Huawei’s influence.
In Q2 2018, Huawei overtook Apple to become the second-largest smartphone company in the world, trailing only Samsung. The latter was clearly intimidated, as Huawei was predicted to claim the top spot by the end of 2019. In early 2020, Samsung responded with the S20 Ultra, flexing innovations like 100x zoom, 8K video, and a 5,000mAh battery—an aggressive move to assert dominance.
The US Ban and Huawei’s Resilience
In 2019, the U.S. blacklisted Huawei, accusing it of using technology for espionage. This cut Huawei off from Google services, Android, and even major chip manufacturers like TSMC, which relies on U.S. tech. For most companies, this would have been a death sentence. But not for Huawei.
When told they couldn’t have something, Huawei simply created their own. They developed HarmonyOS, an alternative to Android, and even started manufacturing their own chips. While these chips lagged behind industry leaders by about five years, Huawei kept releasing competitive devices, proving their resilience.
Innovation Amid Adversity
Huawei’s comeback was epitomized by the Mate 60 Pro, released just before the iPhone 15. Despite limitations in chip performance, it sold well. Even though Huawei is still stuck on 7nm technology while competitors like Google use 4nm, the gap isn’t as wide as it seems. Once Huawei figures out how to make denser chips, they could leapfrog the competition.
Huawei continues to innovate where others seem stagnant. While Samsung introduced foldables, Huawei upped the ante with the Mate X3, a phone that folds twice, creating a 10-inch display. This design solves a key issue with traditional foldables: limited viewing space due to square aspect ratios.
Challenges and Flaws
Of course, Huawei isn’t without flaws. The design of the Mate 70 Pro’s camera feels less premium compared to its predecessor, the Mate 60 Pro. Oddly, Huawei used this new design on its mid-range Honor X60 Pro before debuting it on their flagship—an unusual move for a premium brand.
Additionally, their app ecosystem is still developing. While sideloading Google apps on HarmonyOS is possible, the process is clunky and unreliable. In 2023, Huawei launched HarmonyOS Next, an entirely independent operating system requiring native apps—an ambitious but challenging step.
The Unstoppable Force
Despite these hurdles, Huawei continues to innovate at an incredible pace. They now produce their own chips, operating systems, ecosystems, apps, and even features like AirDrop alternatives. Their relentless drive to adapt and innovate has kept them relevant and competitive.
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Huawei isn’t just surviving the odds—they’re thriving. From launching groundbreaking products like the Mate X3 trifold to building an entirely self-reliant ecosystem, Huawei is proving that they’re always two steps ahead.
