- Huawei initiates customer interest registration for an undisclosed upcoming smartphone, sparking anticipation for its high-end P series.
- The Mate 60’s state media-lauded resurgence last year coincided with a significant decline in Apple’s Chinese iPhone sales.
- Analysts note speculation surrounding the imminent P70 launch and emphasise Huawei’s strategic approach amid global trade tensions and production constraints.
Chinese technology giant Huawei has initiated a process for customers to express interest in an upcoming smartphone model, generating anticipation for the newest iteration of its prestigious P series smartphones.
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Huawei has reentered the premium smartphone market last year
Having reentered the premium smartphone market last year with the Mate 60 series, Huawei’s resurgence was lauded by state media as a triumph over U.S. sanctions, concurrently causing a notable decline in Apple’s iPhone sales in China.
Recent months have seen mounting speculation regarding Huawei’s imminent launch of the P70, anticipated to feature an advanced China-made chip akin to the Mate 60.
Renowned for its cutting-edge cameras and elegant design, Huawei’s P series stands in contrast to the performance and business-focused Mate series.
While a recent product launch encompassing a smart car model and laptop omitted mention of phones, disappointed fans took to online platforms to voice their discontent. However, subsequent checks at Huawei stores in Beijing revealed that interested customers could register for updates on the forthcoming phone without any upfront payment. Registered customers are expected to receive information regarding the phone’s specifications and colour options in due course, as per sales staff.
The Mate 60’s launch, occurring during a visit by U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo to China, eschewed any form of prior advertising or specification disclosure. This strategy led some users and companies to dismantle the phones to discern their capabilities.
Two tech birds with one stone
Analyst Will Wong of research firm IDC characterised Huawei’s approach as “killing two birds with one stone,” suggesting that the company could maintain a low profile amid U.S.-China trade tensions while generating excitement and intrigue surrounding its product launches.
Archie Zhang, a smartphone analyst at Counterpoint Research, highlighted that stock availability has been a significant limitation for the Mate 60 and is likely to be the case for the P70 as well.
Sources have indicated that Huawei has had to curtail Mate 60 production due to production constraints and the necessity to prioritise the manufacture of artificial intelligence chips.
