Although the US sanctions will take effect later, one thing is clear: Chinese smartphone maker Huawei needs to rethink. Steffen Wurzel analyzes what the recent dispute means.
The Chinese software group Huawei builds excellent smartphones, tablets and network components. Technical experts worldwide agree on that. But with the US government’s forced end to working with American companies, it’s clear that things are going to change a lot for the company.
Group is prepared
Huawei will now start with Plan B, Chance Jiang, technical and startup consultant from Guangzhou, southern China, suspects. What Jiang means by that: For Huawei, the harsher pace of the US government is probably not surprising. Therefore, the group internally already prepared to work independently in the future.
For example, in the field of computer chips: With Hai Si alias HiSilicon Huawei owns a subsidiary that develops and manufactures computer chips. In the medium term, HiSilicon will completely replace US suppliers such as Intel. Whether this will succeed in quality, is open. Also with the operating system for mobile devices Huawei must rethink. Because the previously used Android system of the US group Google is in the current form for future devices.
No Android operating system from Google anymore
„The strength of the Huawei devices is hardware, not software,“ said John Artman, editor-in-chief of the Chinese technology online magazine „Technode“. „The devices have great cameras and chips, for example, and that appeals to customers, but in the end, a smartphone is only as good as its apps.“ That Huawei now no longer have full access to the established Android operating system from Google, was a bitter setback for the company.
