Huawei’s Mate 70 flagship phone series is facing massive demand, pushing its supply chain to work overtime. According to CEO He Gang, the company has recorded over 6.7 million reservations for the Mate 70 lineup, which includes the Mate 70, Mate 70 Pro, Mate 70 Pro+, and the Mate 70 RS Ultimate Design.
National Pride Drives Initial Excitement
The Mate 70 follows the record-breaking success of the Mate 60 series. Last year, the Mate 60 gained popularity due to its Kirin 9000s chip, the first Huawei-designed 5G application processor since the U.S. imposed restrictions in 2020. Manufactured by SMIC using a 7nm process, the Kirin 9000s became a symbol of national pride in China, even though it lagged behind Apple’s 3nm A17 Pro in performance.
“Excessive” Demand Outpaces Supply
Reports indicate Huawei initially underestimated demand for the Mate 70 series. While the 6.7 million reservations aren’t paid pre-orders, they highlight the high interest in the new flagship line. He Gang described the demand as “excessive,” though some analysts argue consumer excitement has cooled compared to the Mate 60.
Chipset Challenges for Premium Models
The premium models in the series, like the Mate 70 Pro and Mate 70 RS, reportedly feature a new Kirin 9100 AP, built by SMIC on a 6nm node. This chip represents a technical achievement given SMIC’s lack of EUV lithography equipment. However, the use of Deep Ultraviolet Lithography (DUV) with multiple exposures could lead to lower yields, misaligned circuitry, and higher production costs. Despite these hurdles, Huawei and SMIC continue to push boundaries in chipmaking.
HarmonyOS NEXT: Independence from Android
The Mate 70 series introduces HarmonyOS NEXT, Huawei’s Android-free operating system. Developed in response to U.S. trade restrictions, HarmonyOS NEXT removes all traces of Android. Huawei plans to pre-install the new OS on all upcoming phones starting next year.
CEO He Gang revealed it may take two to three months to refine the HarmonyOS NEXT user experience. However, its launch symbolizes Huawei’s drive for independence from the U.S. supply chain.
Challenges Ahead
While the Mate 70 series sees strong demand, Huawei faces potential supply bottlenecks, especially with chip production. Analysts caution that demand might taper compared to last year, but Huawei’s ability to innovate under restrictions remains impressive.
The Mate 70 series showcases Huawei’s resilience and determination to compete in the global smartphone market, even in the face of adversity.
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