Huawei’s ambitions to unseat Samsung as the world’s largest phone brand by 2020 came crashing to the ground this week following a report…
Huawei’s ambitions to unseat Samsung as the world’s largest phone brand by 2020 came crashing to the ground this week following a report that Google will pull support for Huawei’s Android phones. Sidelining its most enthusiastic rival could prove to be a windfall for Samsung — assuming the blacklist status lasts. The measures are already softening. On Monday, the US Commerce Department temporarily restored Huawei’s ability to service existing phones until Aug. 19. But Samsung still has time to take advantage of its rival’s negative press and Huawei’s relationship with Google is still extremely fluid.
Heeding an executive order signed by President Donald Trump last week, Google has cut Huawei off from a longtime business relationship that gives the Chinese brand, and other phone-makers, access to Android OS updates, Reuters first reported. The initial order would largely deprive Huawei of security updates as well as Google services such as Gmail, Google Assistant, the Google Play store, Google Maps and Google Search. In addition, Google will withhold technical support for future phones. Intel, Qualcomm and Broadcom are also reportedly toeing the US party line, according to Bloomberg.
On Monday morning, the Chinese company expressed dismay about Google’s decision.
«Huawei has made substantial contributions to the development and growth of Android around the world,» a Huawei spokeswoman said in an emailed statement. «As one of Android’s key global partners, we have worked closely with their open-source platform to develop an ecosystem that has benefitted both users and the industry.»
It also sought to reassure customers. «Huawei will continue to provide security updates and after-sales services to all existing Huawei and Honor smartphone and tablet products, covering those that have been sold and that are still in stock globally,» said the company spokeswoman. «We will continue to build a safe and sustainable software ecosystem, in order to provide the best experience for all users globally.»
Huawei’s loss could be Samsung’s gain if Android fans turn their backs on Huawei’s future phones for not having the tools and apps people rely on every day.
Huawei has been on a tear. Sales are up around the world despite the brand being shut out of the US, and its best phones are out-innovating Samsung’s Galaxy S10 flagships. The Huawei P30 Pro has an incredible zoom camera lens and a standalone night mode that takes crystal-clear low-light shots.
Meanwhile, Samsung lacks the night mode that Huawei and Google Pixel phones have, and it has a much less flexible zoom lens.
