Huawei charts cautious global comeback, but still has major challenges | Real Time Headlines

Barcelona – Huawei is dipping its toes into the international smartphone market, but analysts warn that the lingering impact of U.S. sanctions could hinder the ability of Chinese companies to compete with leaders apple and Samsung.

In the past few months, Huawei has launched two key devices outside China. The first in December is the Companion X6, a foldable smartphone, followed by Companion XTHuawei’s 3,499 euros ($3,660) Trifold Phone.

Huawei hopes to stand out at Barcelona’s Mobile World Congress (MWC) at Barcelona’s largest telecom trade fair. The Chinese company has a large stance showing its merchandise, including the partner XT.

These expensive devices and Huawei’s presence at the Global Technology Fair highlight the tech giant’s target approach, trying to maintain its brand image as an innovative company while selling high-end smartphones.

“Huawei is still very cautious and conservative,” Canalys analyst Runar Bjørhovde told CNBC.

“Taking the Mate XT and X6 abroad abroad is no sign that it will make an international comeback with the smartphone business in the coming years. Both are unusually priced, but rather maintaining the brand awareness it needs, namely cutting-edge innovators with smartphones and still selling the devices to its richest super enthusiasts.”

MWC was once a Huawei-led performance. Sponsorship of lanyards and badges Participants dressed, announced The most buzzing product launches at the event.

While Huawei has shrunk some of the more dazzling aspects of attendance, it remains a big stance as it shows other parts of its business, especially its telecom equipment, which help turn it into one of the world’s largest tech companies.

In the consumer space, Huawei has maintained some influence outside of China (such as smartwatches), but its smartphone business remains very limited. The company is using 2025’s MWC to show off its partner XT, the first device of its kind The screen folds twice.

However, the biggest challenge is Huawei’s lack of access to Google’s Android software.

“I don’t think they won’t be able to return to the international market without the full Google service,” Francisco Jeronimo, vice president of data and analysis at International Data Corporation, told CNBC.

“They haven’t managed to increase their market share in the international market yet,” he said.

According to CounterPoint Research, Google’s Android operating system is run by 80% of smartphones worldwide. Outside China, Android device users rely on the Google Play Store, Google’s App Store, as well as various apps from Chrome Browser to Gmail.

Huawei has Its own operating system is called Harmonyosit still doesn’t have the ability to provide the Google apps most users rely on.

“Scaling the smartphone business will be a huge challenge,” said Canalys’ Bjørhovde.

“Not only because Harmony has few active users outside China, it limits feedback and application availability for its users, but also because it requires the right device portfolio, operational team, marketing resources, etc. This will take years to rebuild, even with great success in other device categories.”