In A Challenge Against Samsung And Apple, Huawei Spin-Off Honor Launches A $1,690 Foldable Smartphone

In an effort to take on Apple, Chinese smartphone manufacturer Honor unveiled its foldable phone on Sunday.

and Samsung in the market's top tier.

‍

In November, China initially introduced the Honor Magic Vs. The technology is now being introduced by the corporation in a variety of other markets, including the United Kingdom, Germany, and South American nations.

‍

It represents the Chinese company's goal to enter the premium smartphone market, where it will fight with companies like Apple and Samsung, with the newest smartphone technology—foldables.

‍

Following a succession of U.S. sanctions that prevented Huawei from obtaining crucial semiconductors and access to Google's Android mobile operating system, which killed the company's smartphone business, Honor was spun off from Huawei. Honor has access to Android as a distinct organization and to the parts it requires for its premium devices.

‍

Huawei sold Honor to a group of purchasers that also included the administration of its home city of Shenzhen. Honor was Huawei's low-cost brand, but since being independent, it has tried to position itself as a premium player, filling the void left by Huawei.

‍

Towards the tail end of 2021, Honor released its first smartphone outside of China. Since then, the company has aggressively pursued the introduction of other models.

‍

The company has been seeking to disassociate itself from Huawei and establish itself independently.

‍

"Even though Honor is a wholly autonomous company, it must frequently clarify that it is not a part of Huawei. Ben Wood, chief of research at CCS Insight, told Trade Algo via email that while this is becoming less of a problem with time, it is still a hurdle the company faces.

‍

Specs of Honor Magic

It is claimed that the Honor Magic Vs is a foldable smartphone. These gadgets have screens that can flex. Honor claims it has tested the gadget by folding it and opening it up to 400,000 times with no problem.

‍

The Android-powered smartphone from Honor sports a 7.9-inch display when fully opened. When folded, the phone also includes a 6.45-inch secondary display on the outside of the smartphone.

‍

The Magic Vs will be sold in Europe for a cost of 1,599 euros ($1,690). On the global market, it will face off against foldable gadgets made by Samsung and the Chinese company Oppo.

‍

But, the Samsung-initiated foldable phone category is still in its infancy. According to IDC, shipments of foldable devices made up just 1.1% of all smartphone shipments in 2022, while 2.8% of all smartphone shipments are anticipated in 2026.

‍

While Honor tries to gain an advantage in the embryonic smartphone market, the Magic Vs is one of the first foldable handsets to be made accessible in markets outside of China.

‍

Premium Push

While Honor has become one of the top smartphone manufacturers in China, it has not yet had the same level of success outside. It will be hoping that its higher-end products can help it attract people abroad.

‍

By releasing high-end products with the newest technology, Huawei was able to surpass Apple and Samsung and take the top spot in the global smartphone market at its height in 2020. Companies like Samsung, Apple, and other players like Xiaomi have seized the opportunity presented by the collapse of Xiaomi's smartphone industry.

‍

Honor will attempt to wrest some of those users back.

‍

"I've been impressed by the items Honor has shown, and certain traces of its heritage as a former member of Huawei are evident in the caliber of the offerings. When the U.S. administration stopped Huawei in its tracks, the Chinese smartphone manufacturer was setting the standard and was nipping at Samsung's heels, according to Wood.

‍

"Like other Chinese phone manufacturers, Honor must now assert its independence and begin the arduous process of building its brand in Western markets. Given that it took Huawei almost ten years to complete, all businesses attempting to take on Samsung and Apple have a long road ahead of them.