Huawei recently unveiled the Mate 70 series, described as the “most powerful Mate line in history.” Notably, these devices will not operate on the Android operating system, reflecting the company’s efforts to reduce its reliance on American technology.
During an event held on November 26 in Shenzhen, China, Richard Yu, President of Huawei’s Consumer Business Group, introduced four models in the Mate 70 lineup, with prices starting at 5,499 yuan. While he highlighted the series as the most powerful Mate phones ever, specific details about the processor were not disclosed.
The launch comes amid intensified U.S. restrictions targeting China’s technology sector, particularly Huawei. The Mate 70 marks the company’s first venture into using HarmonyOS Next, eschewing Android applications altogether. Mr. Yu claimed that this new operating system offers a 40% performance improvement compared to its predecessor.
As the successor to the Mate 60 series, released last August, the Mate 70 aims to bolster Huawei’s presence in the smartphone market, especially as sales of iPhones decrease in China. The lineup will include standard, Pro, Pro Plus, and RS versions, all powered by the HarmonyOS Next, which has been developed internally. Unlike previous models, the Mate 70 will not support Android applications or utilize any American hardware after years of sanctions. Presently, HarmonyOS has over 15,000 available applications, with plans to grow this number to 100,000 by the end of the next year. By 2025, Huawei intends for all its devices to run HarmonyOS Next, although users can still opt for HarmonyOS 4.3, which maintains compatibility with some Android apps.
The specifications of the Huawei Mate 70 include a 6.7-inch display, 120 Hz refresh rate, 5,300 mAh battery, 66W fast charging via USB-C, and 50W wireless charging capabilities. It also features a sophisticated camera system with a 50 MP primary camera, a 12 MP periscope telephoto camera, a 40 MP ultra-wide-angle camera, and a 13 MP front-facing camera. The base model with 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of internal storage is priced at 5,499 yuan, approximately 500 yuan less than the iPhone 16.
The enhanced Mate 70 Pro introduces Wi-Fi 7 support, satellite communication, quicker charging, and a larger display, along with a 48 MP telephoto camera and AI-powered photography features, starting at 6,499 yuan. The Mate 70 Pro Plus variant boosts RAM to 16 GB and internal memory to 512 GB, priced at 8,499 yuan (approximately 1,174 USD). The premium Mate 70 RS, made with high-quality titanium, starts at 11,999 yuan (about 1,657 USD).
During the launch, Huawei emphasized its advancements in artificial intelligence technology, which is integrated into the smartphone’s photography and post-production functionalities, while also ensuring user privacy.
Notably, Richard Yu did not provide details on the Mate 70’s processor, leading to speculation. It is anticipated that at least one version of the Mate 70 will utilize SMIC’s Kirin 9100 chipset, as the company previously relied on chips made by SMIC for the Mate 60 series. Despite ongoing U.S. embargoes, Chinese chip manufacturers have shown resilience in producing competitive chips.
According to a report by Canalys, Huawei has become the second-largest smartphone supplier in China, with shipments exceeding 10 million units for four consecutive quarters as of the third quarter of 2024. Market analysts from Counterpoint suggest that the Mate 70 series is likely to achieve sales of over 10 million units.
Prior to the official launch, the Mate 70 garnered significant interest, selling out quickly on e-commerce platforms, with many consumers placing orders without knowing the final price. In physical retail locations, potential buyers queued to experience the devices firsthand.
