The Huawei Boot at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, 2025.
Arjun Kharpal | CNBC
Barcelona – Huawei is Dipping Its Toes Back Into The International Smartphone Market, but analysts warn the lingering effects of us sanctions is likely to hampar Leaders Apple and samsung.
Over the past few months, huawei have launched two key devices outside of China. The first in December was the mate x6, a foldable smartphone, followed by The mate xtHuawei’s 3,499 Euros ($ 3,660) trifold phone.
Huawei was looking to stand out from the crowd of similar-looking smartphones at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, The World’s Biggest Telecoms Trade Show. The chinese firm had a large stand showing off its wares, including the mate xt.
These experiencesive devices and huawei’s presence at a global tech show, underscore the tech giant’s targeted approach, attempting to maintain its brand image as an innovatical company High-end smartphones.
“Huawei is still very cautious and conservative with what it believes it can achieve outside China with its smartphone business,” Runar Bjørhovde, Anna Analyst At Kanalyss TOLD CNBC.
“Bringing mate xt and x6 abroad is no sign that it will make an international comeback with its smartphone business in the next year. Desred Brand Perception of Being a Cutting-Edge Innovator with Smartphones and Still Sell Devices to Its Most Wealthy Super-Fans. “
Signage shows the huawei mate x6 at huawei’s booth at the mobile world Congress in Barcelona, 2025.
Arjun Kharpal | CNBC
Huawei’s downfall and comeback
International challenges
MWC used to be a show dominated by huawei, from The sponsorship of the lanyards and badges That Attendes Wore, to Announcing the buzziest product launches at the event,
While Huawei Has Scled Back Some of the Glitzier Aspects of its Attendance, Its Stand Remains Very Large as it Shows of Other Parts of its business, in particular its talecommunications Whoch Helped Turn It ITO One of the World’s Biggest Tech Companies.
In the consumer space, huawei has mained some presence outse of china with devices The firm is using 2025’s mwc to show off the mate xt, the first of its kind device With a screen that folds twice,
However, its success in china is unlikely to be replicated with the biggest challenge being being Huawei’s Lack of Access to Google’s Android Software, Analysts Said.
“I don’t think they will be able to return to international markets without the full google services,” Francisco Jeronimo, Vice President for data and analytics at international data corporates,
A Huawei Technologies Mate Xt Smartphone Arred in Hong Kong on Sep. 24, 2024.
Lam Yik | Bloomberg | Getty Images
“They haven’t managed to grow market share in the international markets,” He said.
Google’s android operating system is run by 80% of the world’s smartphones, according to counterpoint research. Outside of China, Android device users relay on the google play store, which is google’s app store, as well as the various apps from the chrome browser to gmail.
While huawei has its OWN Operating System Called HarmonyosIt still does not have the ability to offer google apps, which the majority of users relay on.
“Expanding the Smartphone Business Outside China will be a huege challenge,” Canalys’ Bjørhovde Said.
“Not only because harmony barely has any active users outside China, Limiting Its User Feedback and App Availability, but also also also be cauuse it needs the right devices portfolio, operations teams, Marketing Resources, etc.
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