At a much-anticipated presentation, Huawei refrained from disclosing specifics of their new phone and claimed strategic chip triumph. Instead, the organization presented two all-electric vehicles — a sports car and an upscale SUV — along with their latest wireless headphones, and other wares. Many viewers of the broadcast expressed dissatisfaction on social media, inquiring about phone information and features.
At its high-profile launch event on Monday, Chinese telecommunications and smartphone giant Huawei did not offer specifics of its new phone or advanced chip breakthrough. Instead, they unveiled two electric cars – a sedan and a SUV – and rolled out its new Kirin A2- powered wireless earbuds, priced around 1,499 yuan ($205). The new releases form part of the company's fall season launch event, streamed in Mandarin. People who tuned in were expecting details of the phone but Richard Yu, who's executive director and CEO of the consumer business group and is responsible for car-related operations, revealed that the event would not touch on the phone's specifics, leaving many internet users disappointed. Huawei is partnering with an auto manufacturer to offer cars under the Aito brand.
Many viewers, particularly on Bilibili video platform, demanded specifics about the phone Huawei was set to launch at its extravagant event characterized by a mix of nationalist fervor among in-person and online guests, launched with an orchestral and choral performance of a ballad named "My Dream" in Chinese, and a speech by Hong Kong celebrity Andy Lau regarding Huawei's release of a luxury watch design. Nevertheless, Huawei failed to present anything substantial at the prominent event. The company, however, unveiled a new version of its smart watch, and stated a new tablet, which they claim to be lighter and slimmer than the iPad, along with a stylus that links to the tablet with Huawei's NearLink tech. Interestingly, Huawei's lack of announcement about the phone coincided with the dispatch of Apple's iPhone 15 in China on Friday.
Approximately one month ago, Huawei released its Mate 60 Pro phone with increasing download speeds attributed to its advanced semiconductor chip. It is suggested that the phone's launch demonstrated Huawei's capability of using sophisticated procedures despite U.S. sanctions. TechInsights found that the Kirin 9000s chip present in the Mate 60 Pro was constructed by China-based Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation through the 7 nanometer process, which requires EUV lithography machines from ASML, a Dutch company, that has recently been limiting its sales to China. It is uncertain whether older appliances or alternate procurement methods were employed during the chip's formation. When questioned regarding TechInsights' discoveries, Huawei was unavailable for a statement. U.S. sanctions, which cut the company from essential smartphone technology including semiconductors and Google software, have caused Huawei's consumer business revenue to reduce by half. The Trump administration began restricting Huawei's access to this tech in 2019 and has continued to assert that the Chinese telecom firm is a potential danger to security due to their purported associations with the Chinese Communist Party and the nation's military, which Huawei has repeatedly denied. This year, Huawei declared that its high-end consumer products will be released on a "normal" timeline as usual. - CNBC's Arjun Kharpal added to this report.
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