Tag: Huawei

January 20, 2025
Huawei Launches Global Update for Watch Ultimate
Huawei has begun distributing a new global update for the Watch Ultimate, identified as version 5.0.0.21(SP1C00M02). This update comes after the introduction of firmware version 5.0.0.13, which was the initial global HarmonyOS 5.0 update for the Watch Ultimate.
Update Details
Reports indicate that firmware version 5.0.0.21(SP1C00M02) is now available for the standard Huawei Watch Ultimate models in both Voyage Blue and Expedition Black (currently priced at €573 on Amazon DE). However, the Watch Ultimate Green model has not yet received this update. The update itself is fairly small, at only 36.78 MB. According to the change log, this release offers optimizations for system stability in “specific situations.” Sadly, there’s no additional information to clarify what exact enhancements have been made.
Missing Features
One significant feature that’s missing from this 5.0.0.21 update is the NFC payments capability, which was previously announced for the Watch Ultimate, Watch GT 5, and Watch GT 5 Pro last year. The company had indicated that this feature would be available to users within the first half of 2025. Users of the Huawei Watch Ultimate smartwatch can download firmware version 5.0.0.13(SP2C00M02) along with future updates through the Huawei Health app.
Source:
Link
Tags: HarmonyOS 5.0, Huawei, Watch Ultimate
January 20, 2025
Huawei Leads China’s Foldable Market as Competitors Lag Behind
IDC has published a fresh market analysis indicating that the foldable phone sector in China faced both advancements and hurdles in 2024. Huawei, which introduced foldable models like the Mate X6 and Mate XT Ultimate this year, is currently the frontrunner in China’s foldable phone landscape.
Huawei’s Strong Position
According to the IDC survey, Huawei dominates the foldable phone industry in China, holding nearly 50 percent market share. Honor follows closely with 20.6 percent, and Vivo takes 11.1 percent, bolstered by solid offerings such as the X Fold 3 series. Xiaomi comes in fourth with a 7.4 percent share, owing to the success of its inaugural clamshell foldable. Even though Oppo didn’t launch any new foldable devices in 2024, it still managed to maintain a 5.3 percent share thanks to positive user feedback. Interestingly, Samsung, a worldwide leader in foldable technology, has yet to make a significant impact in China’s competitive market.
Market Trends and Challenges
In terms of market dynamics, foldable phone shipments reached 9.17 million units in 2024, marking a 30.8 percent increase from the previous year. However, the fourth quarter saw a 9.6 percent drop in shipments, resulting in a total of 2.5 million units. This represented the first decline after nine quarters of steady growth. While enhancements in design, durability, and battery performance have made foldable phones more attractive, factors like high prices, durability concerns, and limited internal space remain barriers for wider adoption.
Recovery in Smartphone Market
China’s smartphone market showed significant recovery in 2024 after two years of decline, with shipments hitting around 286 million units—an increase of 5.6 percent year-on-year. This growth can be attributed to the rising demand for AI features, better displays, and extended battery life, especially in the first half of the year. Although demand began to slow down towards the year’s end, upcoming government-supported consumer subsidy programs in 2025 are predicted to give the market another boost.
Experts believe this recovery offers a vital chance for manufacturers to innovate and take advantage of changing consumer preferences. Nevertheless, companies need to strike a balance between immediate profits and long-term growth to avoid the risk of depleting future demand too soon.
Tags: China Smartphone market, foldable phones, Huawei
January 20, 2025
Huawei Pura 70 Ultra Red Variant Launch for Chinese New Year
Huawei is currently developing various new devices, including the Pocket 3 foldable, set to debut in the first quarter of 2025, along with the successor to the innovative tri-fold Mate XT. Additionally, the company is working on a new red version of the Pura 70 Ultra smartphone, which will sport a shiny frame, a reimagined lens module, and a simple leather back cover. This update primarily emphasizes aesthetics, keeping the main specifications the same.
Special Edition Details
Information shared by user 李小祥龙 on Weibo suggests that this new color might be a limited edition for Chinese New Year and it’s likely to come with a hefty price tag. The original device was priced at 9,999 Yuan (around $1,365) when it was released in April 2024.
Specifications Overview
Currently, the Pura 70 Ultra is available in several colors: Starry Black, Starry White, Chanson Green, and Mocha Brown. It features a 6.8-inch OLED screen with a resolution of 2844×1260, an adaptive refresh rate of 1-120Hz, 1440Hz PWM dimming, and is protected by basalt-tempered Kunlun glass. The device has an IP68 rating, meaning it is resistant to both dust and water.
The smartphone is powered by a 5200mAh battery that supports 100W wired charging, 80W wireless charging, and 20W reverse wireless charging. It comes with a Type-C (USB 3.1 Gen1) port, satellite calling capabilities, Beidou satellite messaging, AI remote control, smart payment options, and AI features for enhancing images.
Camera and Build
The camera system includes a super-focusing telescopic lens equipped with a 1-inch sensor, an aperture range of F1.6 to F4.0, and stabilization features. Additionally, it has a 40MP ultra-wide lens with an F2.2 aperture and a 50MP macro telephoto lens with an F2.1 aperture, featuring optical image stabilization. For selfies, there’s a 13MP ultra-wide camera with an F2.4 aperture.
Weighing in at 226 grams and measuring 162.6mm x 75.1mm x 8.4mm, the red variant will come with exclusive first-sale gifts while keeping the advanced features of the Pura 70 Ultra intact.
Source:
Link
Tags: Huawei, Pocket 3, Pura 70 Ultra
January 17, 2025
Honor CEO Zhao Ming Resigns; Former Huawei Exec Takes Charge
In a surprising change, Zhao Ming, the CEO of Honor, has resigned due to health issues. The board has selected Li Jian, a former Huawei executive with a lot of experience, to take over as the new CEO.
Zhao Ming’s Impact at Honor
Zhao Ming, who worked at Huawei for 17 years, was key to Honor’s achievements. He took charge of the brand in 2015 and guided it to become the leading online mobile phone brand in China for several quarters in a row. Under his direction, Honor not only surpassed Samsung to become the top mobile phone brand in Russia by the end of 2019 but also secured the second position in the Chinese smartphone market in 2020.
Challenges and Resilience
However, the company’s path changed drastically in November 2020 due to US sanctions against Huawei. This led to Huawei selling its Honor business unit, with Zhao Ming becoming the CEO of the newly independent Honor Terminal Co., Ltd. Despite these hurdles, under Zhao Ming’s leadership, Honor quickly established its own R&D, product development, supply chain, and market systems in just four months. The Honor V40 was launched as the first product post-separation in January.
Future Directions with Li Jian
Honor also made significant progress towards an initial public offering (IPO) by completing its shareholding reform and rebranding itself as Honor Device Co., Ltd. by the end of 2024. The smartphone market in China remains highly competitive. Data from Canalys indicates that Vivo holds a 17% market share in 2024, while Huawei has shown a strong comeback with a year-on-year growth of 37%. Apple, OPPO, and Honor follow in third, fourth, and fifth place, with Honor holding a 15% market share.
Li Jian, the newly appointed CEO, comes with a rich background from his long service at Huawei, where he was involved in major strategic changes and played a significant role in key business challenges. His skills in strategic management and international operations will be crucial for Honor as it moves ahead.
Source:
Link
Tags: honor, Huawei, Li Jian
January 16, 2025
Apple Loses Smartphone Market Lead in China to Vivo and Huawei
During the third quarter of 2024, Apple really took charge of the Chinese smartphone scene. However, in the following quarter, it appears that two local brands have managed to surpass them. The iPhone manufacturer experienced a drop in Q4 2024, so let’s dive into the details we have at this point.
Apple Loses Its Edge to Local Giants
As per a report by Canalys, the well-known company from Cupertino was overtaken by two local rivals. Apple lost its top spot to Vivo, which has emerged as the new leader in the market, followed by Huawei as the second. While Huawei was the only runner-up in Q3 2024, Vivo managed to leap ahead of both brands in the next quarter. In the Chinese smartphone arena, Vivo captured a 17 percent share of the market.
Market Shares and Challenges
On the flip side, Huawei held a 16 percent share, while Apple accounted for about 15 percent of the total market. According to the report, Apple’s position in the Chinese market declined because their iPhones lacked support for advanced AI features. This made them less appealing to potential buyers, especially when compared to Chinese smartphones that come equipped with a variety of AI capabilities.
Due to this situation, the company faced its lowest annual sales in the Chinese market, as stated by Canalys senior analyst Zhu Jiatao. He mentioned that Apple’s market standing is also facing numerous obstacles from its competitors. Furthermore, Huawei continues to introduce flagship devices, and the number of domestic foldable phones in China has significantly increased, often at premium prices. Xiaomi and Vivo are also fostering consumer loyalty through innovative technology. Thus, it is expected that Apple is encountering tough competition in the high-end market.
Tags: Apple, Huawei, vivo
January 14, 2025
Huawei Band 9 Launched in India at Rs 3,999, Pre-order on Flipkart
Huawei has launched the Huawei Band 9 in India, following the successful introduction of the Huawei Band 8 in July 2024. This new wearable is stylish and packed with features, appealing to both fitness lovers and fans of smart accessories. Pre-orders have begun, and the pricing details are out. Let’s dive into the specifications, features, and pricing information.
Specifications and Features of Huawei Band 9
The Huawei Band 9 sports a 1.47-inch HD 2.5D AMOLED touch display that boasts a resolution of 194×368 pixels and a pixel density of 282ppi, plus it supports Always-on Mode. It comes with a 9-axis IMU sensor, which includes an accelerometer, gyroscope, and magnetometer, along with an optical heart rate sensor and an ambient light sensor.
When it comes to health monitoring, the Band 9 is equipped with Huawei TruSeen 5.5 for heart rate tracking, HUAWEI TruSleep 4.0 for advanced sleep tracking, and HUAWEI TruRelax to help manage stress levels. Women can take advantage of the menstrual cycle tracking feature. The device supports 100 workout modes, automatically recognizing four common types of exercises. It connects via Bluetooth 5.0 and is compatible with Android 8.0 and newer, as well as iOS 13.0 and above.
Durability and Extra Features
This wearable is 5ATM water-resistant, so it’s suitable for swimming and underwater activities up to a depth of 50 meters. It also comes with smart functionalities like music control, remote camera operation, quick reply options for messages, and alerts for incoming calls. Despite its slim dimensions (43.45 × 24.86 × 8.99 mm) and lightweight of just 14g, the Band 9 can last up to 14 days on a single charge, and it takes only 45 minutes to fully charge.
Pricing and Availability in India
In India, the Huawei Band 9 is priced at Rs 5,999, but it’s currently available for a special pre-order price of Rs 3,999 until January 17th. You can find it on Flipkart in colors like Black, Pink, White, and Yellow. After the pre-order phase, it will also be listed on Amazon.
Tags: Fitness Tracker, Huawei, Huawei Band 9
January 13, 2025
Huawei MatePad Pro 13.2 Global Release Expected Soon in 2025
The MatePad Pro 13.2 is Huawei’s smaller option compared to other tablets like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra, which is currently priced at $1,149 on Amazon. The latest version of this tablet is referred to as the 2025 model, even though it was officially launched in November 2024. So far, it has only been available in China.
Global Release on the Horizon
It seems that this premium tablet may soon become more accessible to a wider audience, as it has received approval for sale in Indonesia from the local SDPPI regulatory body. The device has been registered under a slightly different model number, WEB-W09, suggesting that it is set to be released as a Global Edition of the MatePad Pro 13.2 2025.
Similarities and Upgrades
In terms of design and specifications, the tablet appears largely unchanged from its 2023 version, featuring a 13.2-inch 3:2 2.8K OLED display capable of reaching 144Hz and supporting the P3 wide color gamut. It also retains the same 10,100mAh battery.
However, the 2025 variant boasts faster charging at 100W compared to the previous model’s 88W. It runs on HarmonyOS 4.3 instead of the 4.0 version and is enhanced for the latest AI productivity tools and the new GoPaint application, along with supporting Huawei Sound audio tuning.
Pricing Details
The MatePad Pro 13.2 2025 offers PaperMatte options, starting at 5799 yuan (approximately $791) for the model with 12GB RAM and 256GB of internal storage. In contrast, the model without the anti-reflection coating starts at 5199 yuan (around $709).
Source:
Link

Tags: HarmonyOS 4.3, Huawei, MatePad Pro 13.2
January 11, 2025
Huawei MatePad Pro 13.2 2025 Gains Key Certification Before Launch
Huawei’s MatePad Pro 13.2, which was introduced in China in November 2025, is ready to be launched on a global scale. The international version of the tablet has been listed on Indonesia’s SDPPI certification site, identified with model number WEB-W09 and certificate number 106940/SDPPI/2025. Although the certification database does not provide additional information, it signals that the worldwide release is just around the corner.
Key Features of the MatePad Pro 13.2 (Chinese Version)
This MatePad Pro 13.2 model for 2025 comes with a 13.2-inch OLED screen that has a resolution of 2880×1920, a refresh rate of 144Hz, and supports the P3 wide color gamut. It achieves a peak brightness of 1000 nits and incorporates technologies to reduce reflections and enhance viewing on large screens, making for a superior visual experience.
The tablet has a dual-camera system on the back, which consists of a 50MP primary sensor and an 8MP ultra-wide angle lens. For selfies and video calls, it has a 16MP camera on the front. Additionally, it includes a fingerprint scanner for safe and easy unlocking.
Design and Performance
Weighing in at just 580g and measuring only 5.5mm thick, the MatePad Pro 13.2 is both light and sleek. It allows for multi-window operation, making it easier for users to juggle multiple tasks at once. The device can be equipped with up to 16GB of RAM and offers 1TB of storage space, making it ideal for power users. It is sustained by a dual-cell 5050mAh battery and operates on HarmonyOS 4.3.
For connectivity, the tablet offers Bluetooth 5.2, dual-band WiFi, and a USB Type-C port. It also has stereo speakers that utilize Huawei Sound technology, providing an enriched audio experience.
Color Choices and Launch Information
The MatePad Pro 13.2 comes in three colors: Black, White, and Gold. While there has not been an official announcement regarding the global release date, the SDPPI certification hints that it will happen quite soon.
Tags: Huawei, MatePad Pro 13.2, Tablet Launch
December 30, 2024
Huawei Launches Affordable First Consumer SSD at Low Price
Huawei has taken a significant step into the consumer storage realm by introducing its eKitStore Xtreme 200E series SSDs. These drives are now up for grabs in South Korea, with a price that’s catching everyone’s attention. The 1 TB version is priced at around $32, which is a price that’s much lower than what current competitors are offering in the high-performance storage market.
A New Direction for Huawei
Launched in June 2024, the eKitStore Xtreme 200E series marks Huawei’s shift from server-focused storage to consumer-oriented products. These SSDs come with notable specifications, featuring read speeds of up to 7,400 MB/s and write speeds that hit 6,700 MB/s using the PCIe 4.0 interface. While these numbers don’t match the latest PCIe 5.0 drives that can reach about 14,000 MB/s, they still hold their ground against other PCIe 4.0 options.
What’s Inside the Drive?
The details about the internal parts of the eKitStore Xtreme 200E are not fully disclosed, but it is known to utilize QLC NAND and operates without DRAM. The names of the companies behind the controller and NAND remain a mystery. Due to U.S. sanctions on Huawei, it’s likely that the components are sourced from local suppliers, potentially including companies like YMTC for NAND and MaxioTech for controllers. There’s also a chance that Huawei is using its skills in server SSDs to create its own controller.
The 1 TB model’s price is set at 47,500 South Korean won (around $32), making it a strong contender in terms of price-to-performance ratio. However, there are lingering doubts about how long this pricing strategy can last and whether it will reach markets outside of South Korea.
Analysts Weigh In
Experts in the industry point out that keeping such a low price while still making a profit could be difficult, even with all components sourced from within the country. The current pricing might be a temporary or promotional tactic aimed at helping Huawei gain traction in the consumer storage sector.
This launch represents Huawei‘s ongoing strategy to broaden its consumer products lineup while dealing with international trade hurdles. This could potentially mark a new phase in the competitive arena of the global SSD market.
Source: Link
Tags: eKitStore Xtreme 200E, Huawei, SSD
December 29, 2024
ASML CEO: Chinese Chipmakers 10-15 Years Behind Global Leaders
ASML’s chief executive officer, Christophe Fouquet, recently stated that Chinese semiconductor firms such as Huawei and SMIC are still around 10 to 15 years behind leading companies including Intel, TSMC, and Samsung. This assertion comes amid increasing scrutiny of ASML’s relationships with Chinese clients, largely due to rising geopolitical tensions.
Challenges with EUV Technology
Fouquet pointed out that a major problem for Chinese manufacturers is their lack of access to cutting-edge extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machines. These machines are essential for keeping pace with the global industry leaders. ASML’s EUV machines, which cost about 400 million euros each, are crucial for producing advanced semiconductors. In fact, transporting the necessary components alone requires seven cargo planes.
ASML’s Financial Performance
In spite of these hurdles, the Dutch lithography giant reported impressive figures for the third quarter of 2024, with net sales reaching 7.5 billion euros and profits of 2.1 billion euros. However, new orders dropped to 2.6 billion euros, which is less than half of the 5.6 billion euros seen in the previous quarter. Nevertheless, China continues to represent a significant portion of ASML’s revenue, contributing 47 percent to the company’s Q3 2024 sales.
Future Sales Predictions
UBS analysts are forecasting that ASML might experience nearly a 25 percent decrease in its Chinese sales in the coming year, with as much as 45 percent of its total revenue from China at risk if more restrictions are implemented. While the U.S. is urging ASML to halt servicing existing equipment in China, the Netherlands has not yet followed suit with these demands.
To provide some context, ASML and its partners have invested over twenty years in refining the commercial EUV ecosystem. Although Huawei and its partners are working on developing their own EUV systems, experts believe it could take just as long to establish a comparable ecosystem, even if they gain access to some older technologies that have already been developed.
Source: Link
Tags: ASML, EUV Lithography, Huawei