Just because Huawei is banned from offering its products in the US doesn't mean that the one-time smartphone-making powerhouse is a spent force. Every year, we see a host of devices launched by Huawei, which would give most other brands a run for their money apart from the inevitable lack of 5G connectivity and Google apps and services. In the foldable segment, Huawei's designs and hardware are second to none, but as mentioned, they have the same two omitted features that consumers insist on using.
This year, it's reported that Huawei is preparing to unveil a new foldable device, which will almost certainly be shown during MWC 2024 in Barcelona next month.
Huawei Found A Way
According to a Huawei Insider called ‘Uncle Looking At The Mountains' (via GizmoChina), we can expect Huawei to announce a “new small foldable product.” The use of “small” implies that the new device could be of the clamshell persuasion instead of the larger Mate X series, which is of a similar size to Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold range. Code-named “LEM,” this new device could be the first to launch using a new Kirin chipset that features a built-in 5G modem.
While the foldable is interesting, the report of a 5G-infused Kirin processor is more exciting, which Huawei undoubtedly hopes will let it skirt the conditions imposed on it by the ongoing US ban. This would be huge news for Huawei fans worldwide who have had to give up Google services and 5G networking if they wanted to use a modern handset from the company.
Despite the disadvantages of modern Huawei handsets, its P50 Pocket and Pocket S clamshells secured almost 30% of the Chinese foldable market in 2023.
Flip Or Fold
Rather than a larger fold-like handset, we expect this “LEM” device to be of the clamshell form factor, which will launch running on Huawei's HarmonyOS software that it developed after the US ban took full effect. Wh
The new phone is likely to be called the P70 Pocket, and it will be interesting to see Huawei's choice in terms of the external display, as its past designs in this form have offered relatively small circular cover displays. With rivals such as Motorola and Samsung now offering full-sized cover displays, will Huawei follow the trend and offer a larger, useful display? We'll probably find out during MWC 2024 next month.
The Same Issues
As excited as I am about the possibility of seeing Huawei being able to offer 5G connectivity on its upcoming phones (if the report is accurate), it's unfortunate that no movement on the other main issue has been achieved. With Huawei and Google banned from working together, Huawei can still not include Google apps and services in its smartphones. While Huawei's AppGallery offers some interesting workarounds to these and other apps that rely on Google's Mobile Services, gaps remain to be found.
One day, politics won't stand in the way of getting our hands on Huawei's excellent smartphones. Until then, we wait.
