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In Huawei’s absence, Samsung is ruling over Android without innovation
When it comes to Android, there’s only one name that you can ‘currently’ take – Samsung. But it seems like Samsung has lost interest in innovation after the Huawei ban while exceeding Android updates for Galaxy devices.
Huawei was banned in 2019, and since then, the Chinese tech giant kept on losing the smartphone market due to the lack of chipsets and Google apps.
Although, the company keeps on pushing to make a comeback in its home ground but the global market is still under a big slump. The void created by Huawei is filled by various smartphone companies including Samsung, Apple, Xiaomi, Vivo, Oppo, and so on.
Pre-ban:
Before the U.S. ban, Huawei was making double-digit growth in the global smartphone market. The rocket climb growth is contributed heavily by former subsidiary – Honor.
At that time, Huawei has been mounting new heights as an Android device hub, leaving Samsung behind in the second quarter of 2020.
According to Counterpoint and Canalys smartphone shipment market share report for Q2 2020, Huawei shipped over 54.8 million devices, while Samsung shipped 54.2 million. With this figure, Huawei beat Samsung for the first time for the top rank.
Post-ban:
As the ban starts to show effect, Huawei’s smartphone sales begin to decline due to low production and sluggish sales in the absence of core Android services and Google apps.
After that, the company continue to see negative numbers in the chart, which led it out of the top 5 smartphone sellers in a consecutive year.
However, this was an ‘opportunity’ that Samsung might be looking for. The outcome of this entire scenario results in a big void of market share left by the Chinese tech maker, ready to be grabbed by Apple, Samsung, and other Chinese companies.
Android and Samsung:
Yes! Android is a domain that is not limited to Samsung because there are the likes of Xiaomi, OnePlus, Oppo, Vivo, and others. However, Android is currently showing its interest in Samsung and there’s a clear partiality that you can see that Google is doing with other phone makers.
Of course, Samsung is the market leader and the biggest natural distributor of Android and Google services. So, why not Google takes a side with Samsung?
But it’s clear that Samsung has been gifted with this first position and its current prowess is unshakable even without new innovations.
Let’s evaluate in brief:
In 2020, Samsung launched the S20 series and Note 20 series. These phones have been packed with a highlight technology of large sensor, 64MP periscope space zoom, and 108MP camera. On the other hand, Huawei was the first to launch Periscope Zoom with Huawei P30 Pro in 2019.
There was nothing unique about these Samsung devices from a design perspective whatsoever. Yet, these phones offer extra Android software support*.
Moving on, the Samsung S21 series was a design revamp in terms of the camera system. The module is now linked to the frame, which looks decent but still, the rest of the specs remains the same. In 2021, Samsung killed Note-series and introduced Foldable phones in the second half flagship slot with Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3.
This year, this firm launched the S22 series with the inclusion of an Ultra model that fills the shoes of the Note phone. How? The company has retained the design language of S21 and S21 Plus in the S22 and S22 Plus models.
Meanwhile, Samsung focused on S22 Ultra and made it buffy in look with lots of specifications on paper, and failure the Exynos chipset failed to impress consumers. While there were a lot of consumers that went berserk due to the bugs generated from Exyno’s side.
Furthermore, the Fold 4 and Flip 4 are almost the same devices that were shipped in 2021. Still, the one thing that Samsung has innovated is ‘more’ Android updates.
One UI and Android:
Since 2020, Samsung and Android have increased their collaboration and partnership. This has bent Android further towards Samsung.
Earlier this year, Samsung confirmed to offer 4 years of Android (major) and 5 years of security updates. To an extent, this is even more than Google’s own Pixel devices.
Out of the numbers, Samsung’s Android-based software – One UI is going without major changes. There are no new improvements in One UI after Android 10. We are talking about Animations, speed, fluency, battery consumption, user interface, and every aspect you could imagine.
Even if we could call it a copy or stealing, Apple has its own way to get features out of Android and master it with new innovations such as Dynamic Island, which is something unique even though it’s inspired by Android.
Even with the latest – One UI 5.0, Samsung kept that One UI as it was with One UI 4.1, which is insane as it looks.
EMUI and HarmonyOS:
Post ban, Huawei jumped into the research lab, and launched HarmonyOS in 2019, the company introduced P30 and Mate 20 series in the same year. Both have different design and comes with immense software and hardware capabilities such as Kirin 980.
These phones made a remarkable impact in the global market and earned the best-rated phones of the year.
Even under the ban and out of GMS, Huawei launched the P40 series and Mate 40 series. These two phones don’t pack with Android services but they are the beast on their own and the design of these two flagships is beyond in comparison to Samsung Galaxy S21 and Note 20 Ultra.
Want to talk about foldable? Yes, Huawei also has different kinds of foldable, even more than Samsung including inward, outward, and flip too.
In the shadow of the ban and not having 5G, Huawei also launched massive devices – P50 and Mate 50 series that have truly innovative features in both cameras, software, and design aspects.
The difference in action came after the introduction of HarmonyOS 2 for smartphones. In 2021 alone, Huawei upgraded over 200 million devices on HarmonyOS, these includes over 100 models and it’s one of the biggest major software update rollout in the world.
That’s not it, Huawei went to two-step ahead and filled HarmonyOS with lots of new features that are way ahead of Android and even iOS. These include App snippets, new widgets, large folders, and the almighty ‘Super Device’.
Do you want to know about innovation?
Huawei has made the HarmonyOS so much compatible that it could even run on a 128kb of the memory device. You can imagine the possibility and the compatibility it brings for consumers.
Do you think we’ll go to stop it right here? NOPE!
With the introduction of EMUI 12, Huawei brought in the HarmonyOS user interface and installed it among the global Huawei smartphone users. The result looks way better than the last generation of EMUI and the oldest phones – Mate 10 and P20 series also got to install this new software.
Despite its unknown Android base, Huawei still applies new software tactics for outdated phones better than Samsung.
A few words:
For over a decade, Samsung has achieved a lot and it is praisable but in the recent 2 years, Samsung has become just a nutshell that lacks new features or innovations. While Samsung to become a second-hand iPhone in the absence of competition from Huawei, supported by the buddy Google for unlimited Android access.
It’s the HarmonyOS upgrade carnival and the 5 years old veteran Kirin devices – Huawei P20 and Mate 10 series, these are now inching closer to a stable HarmonyOS 3 rollout.
According to the information, Huawei has opened HarmonyOS 3 public beta for Huawei P20 and Mate 10 series smartphones. This will allow HarmonyOS 2 to enter the HarmonyOS 3 beta testing pool before it goes public.
Below you can check all of the models participating in the HarmonyOS 3 public beta activity.
- Huawei Mate 10 (ALP-AL00/TL00)
- Huawei Mate 10 Pro (BLA-AL00/TL00)
- Huawei Mate 10 Porsche Design (BLA-AL00)
- Huawei Mate RS Porsche Design (NEO-AL00)
- Huawei P20 (EML-AL00/TL00)
- Huawei P20 Pro (CLT-AL00/AL01/AL00I/TL00/TL01)
These Huawei P10 and Mate 10 devices are now eligible to participate in the new HarmonyOS 3 public beta program.
It’s interesting how Huawei upgrade these 5-year-old Kirin veteran devices with new versions such as HarmonyOS 3. Huawei Mate 10 and P20 series were launched in 2017 and 2018 respectively. These two flagships are equipped with Kirin 970 powerful chipset, which allowed Huawei to deliver premium performance for the customer.
Other devices:
Moreover, Huawei announced HarmonyOS 3 public beta for 9 Honor devices – Honor 30 series and Honor V30 series. On the other hand, there are 7 new devices that made a place in the public beta activity. These are Huawei Nova 7 SE and Nova 8 SE models.
Huawei Mate 10 and P20:
Following the unveiling of the Huawei Mate 10 series, Huawei has greatly improved all aspects of its smartphones and the company began to compete against Apple and Samsung.
HarmonyOS 3 brings a lot of new features for these golden flagships and give them a new birth over HarmonyOS 2 with a brand new set of additions. This software has increased the app response speed by 7%, the app task execution speed has increased by 4.0%, and the file transfer rate is increased by 4.2%.
Important notes:
You should know that the public beta is also a test version of the HarmonyOS 3 development stage. Therefore, it may affect some parts of the user interface due to changes in functions from HarmonyOS 2.
Some third-party apps may not be compatible with HarmonyOS 3, therefore, it’s suggested that you upgrade them via AppGallery.
Following the public beta, Huawei will push a stable build for the corresponding models to conclude the entire upgrade campaign. To be mentioned, after installation, the phone users may face heat and lag issues, which may settle within a few days.
WSJ – Would you buy a premium-priced smartphone that doesn’t have 5G? Huawei Technologies Co. thinks its customers will, at least in China and will bet on another premium 4G phone.
More than two years after U.S. sanctions wrecked the Chinese tech giant’s once-dominant global smartphone business, Huawei has stuck with a regular schedule of new flagship phone launches and is gearing up to debut its latest on Thursday.
Reflecting its reduced ambitions, Huawei will unveil the device in a Chinese-language event in Shanghai rather than with a splashy launch overseas. It will likely feature a top-end camera—a Huawei trademark—but won’t have access to 5G networks, Google’s Android operating system, or a host of Western apps.
That means the new phone, the P60, which Huawei will launch alongside a new foldable phone and other gadgets, isn’t likely to find many users outside of Huawei’s home market. In China, where a separate ecosystem of apps and other software has made the absence of Western apps on Huawei devices less of a liability, the company continues to attract sales from longtime fans.
Huawei was for a few months the world’s largest seller of smartphones globally, surpassing rivals Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. Its global market share peaked at 18% in 2019, according to market tracker Canalys.
Then, the Trump administration imposed a series of export controls that choked the company’s access to foreign technologies. Sales crashed as the company carved off part of the business and its devices’ appeal withered in markets around the world.
Huawei’s market share stood at 2% last year, according to Canalys. Most remaining sales are in China, where the company clung to 8% of the market last year and was the country’s sixth-largest smartphone seller, behind the likes of Vivo Mobile Communication Co., the formerly Huawei-owned brand Honor Device Co., and Apple.
Executives have said the company has since replaced thousands of foreign parts. In pitching its smartphones, they have said the 4G connectivity is still powerful.
In China’s high-end phone sector, where Huawei’s rivals have struggled to gain traction, the company is the only serious rival to Apple. Huawei still held 10% of that market last year, according to Canalys.
The company has touted high-end photography and easy connectivity to other internet-connected Huawei gadgets.
Earlier this month, Richard Yu, the head of Huawei’s consumer business, posted on Chinese social media a zoomed-in photo taken at night of the top of a lit-up building which he said was taken on the “P60 Pro.” It showcased the device’s telephoto lens and nighttime photography capabilities. In a speech launching a predecessor to the P60, Mr. Yu said Huawei’s 4G connectivity was still powerful when coupled with artificial intelligence and other technology.
One 38-year-old finance worker in Beijing said he has been using Huawei phones for several years since switching from an iPhone. The user said he transitioned to Huawei because he said the devices are more compatible with external devices like game emulators and run better apps, adding that his current device’s 4G speeds are fast enough.
Ren Zhengfei, Huawei’s founder, said last month that the company has substituted more than 13,000 components with domestic replacements in the last three years.
Still, the new smartphone underlines Huawei’s continued reliance on American technology for key parts.
Suppliers selling less than cutting-edge technology, like 4G, can apply for a license to transact with Huawei from the Commerce Department under rules issued by the agency overseeing export controls. The agency has cleared billions of dollars in such sales from U.S. suppliers including Intel Corp., which sells chips used in Huawei laptops, and Qualcomm Inc., which supplies 4G smartphone chips.
The Biden administration is considering tightening export rules to cut Huawei off from U.S.-sourced technology altogether.
Nicole Peng, a Canalys analyst, said one reason for Huawei’s enduring popularity in China is that for many, 5G simply hasn’t lived up to its billing as being a revolutionary improvement over 4G. Many smartphone users don’t really notice a difference, she said.
Huawei Spring Flagship Launch event will happen on March 23, 2023, and Huawei is ready to deliver various devices and products for consumers with the P60 series in the spotlight.
Ahead of the conference, we are here to give you an insight into what will unveil at Huawei Spring Flagship Launch Event 2023.
Huawei P60 series:
Huawei P60 series will headline the event with its brand-new camera technologies. On the other hand, Huawei confirmed this first for the launch occasion. You can read all of this lineup here.
Huawei Mate X3:
Huawei Mate X3 is the next generation of foldable smartphones. It will pack with a new foldable hinge, satellite connectivity 2.0, lightweight design, strong durability, and new smart features. Check our complete coverage on this device here.
Huawei FreeBuds 5:
After two years of Huawei FreeBuds 4, the company will unveil FreeBuds 5. This a completely new design with a flagship sound listening experience. Other than Hi-Res audio, the FreeBuds 5 will also bring LDAC codec.
Huawei Watch Ultimate:
This watch will equip the world’s first satellite network capability. Huawei Watch Ultimate has a sturdy design, which is confirmed to make a rampage this Spring.
Huawei Enjoy 60:
Aside from the flagship, Huawei will also fetch a new budget segment phone – Huawei Enjoy 60. It is popular ahead and getting praise among Chinese consumers. Despite being a very simplistic design, Huawei Enjoy 60 has all of the odds on its side.
Huawei MatePad 11 2023:
First launched in 2021, Huawei MatePad 11 made its first appearance with HarmonyOS. And a 2023 model is ready to make the grandest intro with an exquisite specialty.
Looking at the teaser, we found that Huawei MatePad 11 2023 will offer a special version with a soft screen. Talking about the specialty, this soft screen will reduce the screen glare to the lowest and provide you anti-reflection view all around the display.
Commercial Brand:
Moving on, Huawei also has announced a new commercial product brand. Also, the first products under this lineup will come as notebooks, designed especially for commercial customers.
Others:
We’re also expecting a new 2-in-1 TalkBand B7. However, Huawei has not confirmed this device for the launch roadmap.
So, the upcoming Huawei Spring New Flagship Launch 2023 conference is packed with a lot of action and there is more that we could witness.