Huawei has launched its premium P50 Pro and foldable P50 Pocket smartphones in international markets even as it continues to face challenges from U.S. sanctions. The P50 Pocket is featured at Huawei’s flagship store in Hangzhou, China.
Long Wei | Costfoto | Future Publishing | Getty Images
Huawei has launched high-end smartphones in international markets despite its diminished global standing as a result of U.S. sanctions.
The Chinese telecommunications firm announced plans on Wednesday to launch the P50 Pro and foldable P50 Pocket to markets outside China. These phones launched last year in China.
Neither phone however has the ability to connect to super-fast 5G internet as a result of U.S. sanctions that continue to bar Huawei from purchasing certain U.S. technology. Instead, the devices sport chips from U.S. company Qualcomm to allow 4G connections.
The P50 Pro has a 6.6-inch display and two large camera modules on the back of the phone. The P50 Pocket is a foldable smartphone designed to slip into pockets and bags. The phones are designed to be able to sync across various Huawei hardware products.
The P50 Pro starts at 1,199 euros ($1,353).
With the release of these handsets globally, Huawei is sticking to its ambitions to continue to have a feasible business in consumer electronics.
But its global standing has declined dramatically since it became the number one smartphone player in the world in the second quarter of 2020. Counterpoint Research estimates Huawei’s worldwide market share to be 1.7% in the fourth quarter of 2021, with China making up more than 90% of that total.
