Huawei Smartphones are the third most popular phones in the world after Samsung and iPhone. In fact, by August 2018, Huawei had surpassed iPhone as the second most popular smartphone by market-share.
Not only was Huawei doing well in terms of sales, but their technological advancements were also noticeable. While other tech companies were still struggling to launch a 4G network, Huawei was ready to roll out 5G in the US and Europe. Then the US Government happened.
China-US Trade Wars
It is believed that the US didn’t like the sound of China being ahead of them technology wise and acted. The US government started by accusing Huawei of spying on America on behalf of the Chinese government through their gadgets.
The US also insisted Huawei was stealing US tech. And, for these ‘crimes’, the bans against Huawei products began. To cut the long story short, Trump’s Administration blacklisted Huawei and its affiliates.
This by-extension restricted US companies from doing business with Huawei without the direct approval of Uncle Sam.
Google Ban on Huawei Smartphones
Following the blacklisting of Huawei Smartphones and products, Google has, in compliance with the new directive, cut ties with Huawei. On Sunday, Reuters reported…
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Alphabet Inc’s Google has suspended business with Huawei that requires the transfer of hardware, software and technical services except those publicly available via open source licensing, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Sunday, in a blow to the Chinese technology company that the U.S. government has sought to blacklist around the world.
Reuters
You can read the whole story about the Google Ban on Huawei smartphones here.
What next for existing Users?
What does Google ban on Huawei mean for existing Huawei phones?
Well…nothing more than the inability to update your OS. By ‘inability to update OS’, I mean you won’t update to a higher android version. For instance, existing Huawei Smartphones running on Andriod 9 may never get Android Security Updates (or patches) let alone updating to Android Q.
Save for being stuck with your current Android version and security updates, everything else remains the same. You will still have unrestricted access to all Google Services and all the millions of Apps in the Google Play Store.
All existing Huawei smartphones (from ideos to Huawei P30 Pro) aren’t affected by the ban, save for the system updates. So, it is okay to buy a Huawei phone if you aren’t obsessed with FUNDAMENTAL OS updates.
Facebook Ban
Facebook just banned Huawei from pre-installing their products.
Read: Facebook Bans Huawei
This means future Huawei phones won’t come with Whatsapp, Instagram or Facebook pre-installed.
Huawei Users will have to download them from Play Store. Assuming Google carries on with their ban, those planning to buy yet-to-released Huawei Smartphones will have to find alternatives to Whatsapp, Instagram and Facebook.
What’s next for future Huawei Smartphones?
Well, new Huawei devices will only have access to Stock Android without Google Services. Unless Huawei expands its AppGallery, its market outside China is not as promising.
For instance, would you buy an Advanced Huawei Mate 30 knowing very well you’ll have no access to Google Services like Play Store, Youtube, and Gmail? I bet not…
As far as the future devices go, Huawei fans should pray for the US and China to reach a compromise and lift the ban. Going by Huawei’s response to Google Ban, it seems they are better on the US to change their policy
Huawei has made substantial contributions to the development and growth of Android around the world. As one of Android’s key global partners, we have worked closely with their open-source platform to develop an ecosystem that has benefitted both users and the industry.
The Verge
Huawei will continue to provide security updates and after-sales services to all existing Huawei and Honor smartphone and tablet products, covering those that have been sold and that are still in stock globally.
We will continue to build a safe and sustainable software ecosystem, in order to provide the best experience for all users globally.”
They need each other and getting rid of Huwei from the telecommunication market is almost impossible seeing that it is the largest by market share.
Have your say via the comment box. Otherwise, I hope this article answered all your immediate worries as a Huawei user.
I own Uhawei Y6 and I foresee problems.
What problems do you foresee?