At the year’s largest mobile trade exhibition, Huawei’s suffering has been to the benefit of other Chinese smartphone companies.
Oppo, Honor, and Realme, three smaller Chinese smartphone companies, made an impression at Mobile World Congress this week. With a spate of new device releases and aggressive worldwide development plans these smartphone companies shined.
Oppo unveiled its new flagship Find X5 Pro. It’s a high-end gadget with a white ceramic back and a sleek hump that houses a camera unit designed by Hasselblad of Sweden.
The Oppo Find X5 Pro sells at 1,299 euros ($1,445). While the Find X5 Lite and Find X5 will be available for 999 euros and 499 euros, respectively.
Taking up the slack left by Huawei
Huawei is a shell of what it once was. As a result of US sanctions, the business’s smartphone segment has decreased dramatically. The sanctions prevented the company from obtaining critical semiconductor equipment and software. Also, including a licensed version of Google’s Android operating system.
This has enabled domestic competitors like Oppo, Honor, and Realme an opportunity to flourish in Europe. And other international countries where alternatives to Apple’s iPhone are expected to grow quickly and attract large audiences.
Realme unveiled the GT 2 Pro this week, marking the company’s first foray into the premium smartphone market outside of China.
The handset was created in collaboration with Japanese designer Naoto Fukasawa. And built of a bio-polymer substance that feels like paper. Also, is environmentally beneficial, according to the company.
The GT 2 Pro will cost $800, while the normal model will be around $600.
Chinese Company vs Other Companies
BBK Electronics, a Chinese tech company, owns both Oppo and Realme. They’ll be up against Samsung and Apple, as well as another Chinese manufacturer Xiaomi, which did not unveil a new flagship at this year’s MWC.
Meanwhile, Honor unveiled the Honor Magic4 Pro, a new flagship device that the company claims can charge to 100% in 30 minutes.
The Magic4 Pro will have a cost price of 1,100 euros, while the Magic 4 will have 900 euros.
The honor was recently severed from Huawei as part of a divestment arrangement aimed at shielding the company from the effects of US sanctions against the Chinese tech behemoth.
In 2021, Xiaomi and Oppo gained ground on Apple and Samsung. Meanwhile, Huawei fell farther down the list of the world’s top smartphone manufacturers.
According to Counterpoint Research, Xiaomi shipped 190 million devices worldwide last year, up 31% from 2020, and Oppo shipped 143 million units, up 28%.
According to Counterpoint data, Honor is also regaining market share in China, becoming the third-largest player in the category for the first time in August.
Huawei, to be sure, continues to produce its own handsets. In overseas regions, the business just debuted the P50 Pocket, a clamshell-style folding phone. Outside of China, however, its sales have suffered significantly.
Guo Ping, Huawei’s rotating chairman, stated on Tuesday that the company remains dedicated to its international markets.