Typically, when mentioning a phone model name, one immediately associates it with certain traits. For instance, Nova is often linked to ‘youthfulness,’ while Pura series exudes ‘fashion.’ However, Mate has been synonymous with the term ‘premium’ for years. Despite various paths leading to premium phones, Huawei’s Mate series remains unchallenged as a standalone premium offering.
On November 25th, Huawei unveiled its latest flagship models: the Huawei Mate 80 series and the folding phone Mate X7, both featuring HarmonyOS 6. This time, defining the high-end isn’t just about hardware but extends to the entire HarmonyOS ecosystem. This marks the end of the ‘parameter war’ in Chinese premium smartphones.
The first decade saw a focus on defining hardware capabilities through features and performance benchmarks. From Ascend Mate, which launched the series and challenged international definitions of high-end phones, to the iconic Mate 7 with its fingerprint sensor and full-metal design.
With competitors like ‘HuamiOV’ also adopting large screens, big batteries, and metal frames, Huawei shifted focus towards craftsmanship. This shift culminated in the Mate 9 Porsche Design edition, a symbol of premium engineering and design.
The new decade for high-end phones sees a transition from hardware definition to ecosystem co-prosperity. With all flagship phones equipped with top-tier components, the real differentiation lies in user experience through software and services. HarmonyOS 6 exemplifies this shift by offering unique features such as payment integration via facial recognition technology with major platforms like Alipay.
HarmonyOS has seen significant growth since its release; over 27 million devices now run on HarmonyOS 5 and HarmonyOS 6, covering a wide range of products from smartphones to smartwatches. Huawei’s new Mate series further enhances this ecosystem with innovative features like high-definition live streaming optimized for social media platforms.
In conclusion, the launch of the Mate 80 series and Mate X7 signifies Huawei’s commitment to redefine what it means to be a premium phone in China, not just through hardware but also by leveraging its comprehensive HarmonyOS ecosystem.
