Huawei smartphones have garnered a large audience around Asia in the last few years. The company previously specialized in telecommunications equipment and services. However, recently it has offered a large variety of phones that appeal to customers with different budgets. Hence, the recent ban of Android as one of the Huawei US ban effects is a devastating blow to the Huawei smartphone ecosystem.
The US President Donald Trump signed an executive order that declared national emergency against potential threats to communication tech and services. As a result, the Huawei brand was put under a blacklist by the Department of Commerce. This barred Huawei from conducting business with American tech firms.
Huawei Hardware Bans
A slew of reports has surfaced since the ban clearing the air on the fate of Huawei smartphones.
Huawei Chipset Design Problems with ARM
ARM recently cut ties with Huawei mentioning the ‘US-origin technology’ as the main reason. Huawei’s flagship Kirin 980 processor is based on the ARM architecture. Even though Huawei designs its chip by itself, it uses proprietary ARM tech to do so. Hence, Huawei also faces difficulties in continuing producing its chips used in smartphones. This is also a major Huawei US ban effects.
Kirin 980 Network
microSD card ban for Huawei
On the other hand, the SD association recently removed Huawei as a member. Since SD association regulates and decides standards for SD and microSD cards, Huawei will not be able to use microSD cards in their future smartphones.
Flagship phones usually don’t use SD cards, but incorporate large flash storage for faster operations. However, most budget and mid-range phones rely on microSD cards to provide additional storage options. Hence, the ban on the use of microSD cards will hamper the lower end market the most.
A silver lining and a possible alternative for Huawei is the Nano memory. Huawei P30 already supports Nano memory for additional storage. Nano-Memory is an expandable storage format smaller than microSD developed by Huawei. If Huawei can pack the same tech in lower-tier phones, it might save the budget segment of Huawei smartphones.
Huawei Software Problems with Android
Google has also severed its relationship with Huawei regarding the use of Android. As a result, Huawei will not be able to use Google services in its future phones. Android is an open source system, however, a lot of functionalities for apps and services like maps rely on Google-based services. Thus, even if Huawei can use the core Android OS with no permission, it can’t access the core benefits of Android without access to Google services.
What does this all mean?
- Huawei smartphones can’t use Google services on Android.
- They cannot produce more phones using Android and all its Google Apps.
- Future updates on flagship Huawei phones is indefinite.
- Current Huawei smartphones will work just fine with all the released functionalities.
- All Huawei phones in the market will receive security updates.
For the ones already using a Huawei smartphone, the phones will function as promised at the time of purchase. The main problem right now is the uncertainty surrounding the launch of new phones in the future.
Huawei smartphones are a major brand here in Nepal alongside the likes of Samsung, OPPO, Xiaomi, etc. The major appeal of these Asian smartphone manufacturers is their product value and convenient pricing suitable to Nepali consumers. The recent ban paints a grim picture of the future of these smartphone companies. Huawei may have been the first, but this trend could extend to more phone manufacturers.
For the ones already using a Huawei smartphone, the phones will function as promised at the time of purchase. Rest assured!
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