Chinese tech giant Huawei has unveiled its latest flagship smartphone series, the Mate 70, marking a significant stride in the global smartphone market. The announcement was made on Tuesday at a launch event in Shenzhen, China.
HarmonyOS Next: A New Era
The Mate 70 series is powered by Huawei’s self-developed operating system, HarmonyOS Next, positioning itself as a strong competitor to Android and iOS. This OS is no longer compatible with Android apps, signaling Huawei’s move towards creating its own app ecosystem.
Huawei’s consumer business head, Yu Chengdong, highlighted the phone’s advanced AI capabilities during the event. Features include photo and video enhancements, real-time translation during phone calls, and a security function that recognizes strangers looking at the screen.
Redefining Privacy and Security
One of the standout features of HarmonyOS Next is its enhanced privacy protection. Users can now grant apps access to specific photos rather than the entire gallery, ensuring greater control over personal data.
Building a New Ecosystem
With over 15,000 apps and services already available for download, Huawei is rapidly expanding its app ecosystem. While some users have expressed concerns about the challenges of building a new platform, many are optimistic about the increased competition in the smartphone market.
Beta testers have confirmed that popular apps like Tencent’s WeChat are compatible with HarmonyOS Next, easing the transition for users.
Other Innovations
Alongside the Mate 70, Huawei introduced the Mate X6, their latest double-folding smartphone. The high-end version supports Beidou satellite messaging, Tiantong satellite network, and a forthcoming low-orbit satellite internet service launching in 2025.
The company also unveiled the Huawei Watch Ultimate Design, featuring a bezel made of sapphire crystal, and the upgraded Huawei Watch D, which monitors blood pressure with a reduced size and weight. Additional gadgets include the FreeBuds Pro 4 earphones with lossless audio playback and the Q7 home network router supporting Wi-Fi 7 and Nearlink.
Strong Market Response
The Mate 70 series, starting at 5,499 yuan (approximately $760), has already garnered significant attention, with over 3 million pre-orders on Huawei’s online store.
As Huawei continues to innovate and expand its product offerings, the launch of the Mate 70 series and HarmonyOS Next represents a bold step forward in redefining the global smartphone landscape.
Reference(s):
Huawei launches Mate 70 phone series with Android rival HarmonyOS Next
cgtn.com
