Huawei Unveils Mate 70 Series, Its First Non-Android Smartphone with HarmonyOS NEXT

Huawei has officially announced the Mate 70 series, marking its first flagship smartphones powered by HarmonyOS NEXT, the company’s custom operating system. The shift to HarmonyOS Next comes after U.S. sanctions restricted Huawei from using hardware and software made by American companies, effectively cutting off access to Android and Google services.

The Huawei Mate 70 series includes four models: Mate 70, Mate 70 Pro, Mate 70 Pro Plus, and Mate 70 RS. The phones will initially offer users a choice between Android-based HarmonyOS 4.3 and the new HarmonyOS NEXT. However, starting early 2024, all Huawei smartphones and tablets will ship exclusively with HarmonyOS Next, which does not support Android apps or Google services. Huawei chairman Richard Yu described the Mate 70 as “the most powerful Mate phone ever,” with the series expected to hit the market in China soon.

Specifications and Features

While Huawei has not disclosed the exact chipset powering the Mate 70 series, reports suggest that both the Mate 70 and Mate 70 Pro feature 6.7-inch displays. The Pro variant offers additional features such as satellite connectivity, Wi-Fi 7 support, and a 48 MP telephoto camera.

The pricing for the series starts at 5,499 yuan (approximately Rs 64,000) for the Mate 70, with the Mate 70 Pro and Mate 70 Pro Plus priced at 6,499 yuan (approximately Rs 75,667) and 8,499 yuan (approximately Rs 98,952), respectively. The premium Mate 70 RS is priced at 11,999 yuan (approximately Rs 1,39,702) and includes upgrades like a titanium frame.

In addition, Huawei has launched the Mate X6, a foldable smartphone with a 7.63-inch display. It is slightly thinner and lighter than its predecessor, the Mate X5, and starts at 12,999 yuan (approximately Rs 1,51,345).

Expanding the HarmonyOS Ecosystem

Since 2019, Huawei has been unable to use Google services on its devices due to U.S. sanctions. While previous devices shipped with Android-based HarmonyOS, the launch of HarmonyOS NEXT signifies a complete departure from Android. Huawei is actively working to strengthen its ecosystem, with reports indicating the company has received over 15,000 applications from developers for its HarmonyOS platform. The ecosystem is expected to feature more than 100,000 apps in the coming months.

This strategic move underscores Huawei’s efforts to overcome its challenges, with the Mate 70 series serving as a bold step toward establishing HarmonyOS Next as a viable alternative to Android.