China holds the title as the largest smartphone market globally, with India following in second place and the U.S. coming in third. In the competitive premium smartphone segment, which encompasses devices priced over $600, Apple has established a significant presence. To stay competitive against Apple, Huawei is implementing aggressive price reductions on its flagship models. For instance, the 1TB variant of the Pura 70 Ultra, launched in April, will see its price cut by 18%, dropping from 10,999 yuan ($1,494) to 8,999 yuan ($1,233). The photography-centric model with 512GB storage will enjoy an even more substantial 20% discount. Notably, the Pura 70 series is the successor to the P60 flagship line, which itself experienced price drops of up to 1,000 yuan ($137) last summer.
The foldable Huawei Mate X6. | Image credit-Huawei
The foldable Huawei Mate X5, released in September 2023, is now available at a discounted price, enjoying a 19% price cut which brings its cost down by 2,500 yuan ($343) to 10,499 yuan ($1,439). Research by CINNO highlights the Mate X5 as the most sought-after foldable smartphone since its debut last year. The recent price reductions from Huawei follow the launch of the new Mate 70 flagship series and the Mate X6 foldable model in November.
However, the Mate 70 flagship line has struggled in terms of sales, attributed to the performance of the Kirin 9020 application processor (AP) powering the devices. Manufactured by SMIC utilizing a second-gen 7nm process, this chipset is considered less competitive compared to stronger processors like the 3nm A18 and A18 Pro found in the latest phones from rivals.
The tri-fold Huawei Mate XT opens up to reveal a 10-inch display. | Image credit-PhoneArena
Despite these challenges, Huawei remains a leading brand in the smartphone sector, showcasing resilience and adaptability in a rapidly evolving market.
