Huawei Unveils Mate 70 Series with HarmonyOS Next, Marking Shift from Android
Chinese tech giant Huawei has launched its latest flagship smartphone lineup, the Mate 70 series, featuring the company’s new HarmonyOS Next operating system. This move marks a significant departure from Android compatibility, as Huawei continues to navigate the challenges posed by ongoing US sanctions.
The Mate 70 series comprises four models: the standard Mate 70, Mate 70 Pro, Mate 70 Pro Plus, and the premium Mate 70 RS. Notably, none of these devices incorporate US-made hardware components due to the current trade restrictions.
HarmonyOS Next, Huawei’s proprietary operating system, offers users an Android-free experience. While this shift may initially limit app availability compared to Android-based devices, Huawei aims to expand its ecosystem to 100,000 apps in the coming months. The company has announced plans to transition all new Huawei phones and tablets to HarmonyOS Next by 2025.
The base model Mate 70 boasts a 6.7-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a 5,300mAh battery with 66W fast charging, and 50W wireless charging capabilities. Its camera setup includes a 50MP main sensor, 12MP telephoto, 40MP ultra-wide, and a 13MP selfie camera. Pricing for the Mate 70 starts at 5,499 yuan (approximately $760) for the 12GB RAM and 256GB storage configuration.
Higher-end models in the series offer additional features such as Wi-Fi 7 support, satellite communications, and enhanced camera capabilities. The Mate 70 Pro starts at 6,499 yuan ($898), while the Pro Plus and RS models are priced at 8,499 yuan ($1,174) and 11,999 yuan ($1,657), respectively.
Huawei has not disclosed details about the processors powering the Mate 70 series, though previous models utilized chips from China’s SMIC.
Alongside the Mate 70 series, Huawei introduced the Mate X6 folding smartphone. This device features a 7.93-inch internal display and a 6.45-inch external display, with a durable construction using carbon fiber and aluminum. The Mate X6 starts at 12,999 yuan ($1,790), with a Collector’s Edition priced at 14,999 yuan ($2,060) offering enhanced specifications and satellite communication capabilities.
As Huawei continues to innovate in the face of trade restrictions, the Mate 70 series and Mate X6 represent the company’s ongoing efforts to maintain its position in the global smartphone market while developing its own ecosystem.
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