Huawei Technologies released its latest series of smartphones on Thursday, maintaining momentum after its breakthrough Mate60 devices eroded Apple's dominance in China's high-end segment.
The Pura 70 smartphone series is priced at the equivalent of R14 500 (excluding tax), up to R26 500 for the Ultra edition, matching the price of some iPhone 15 models The device is mostly marketed through posts WeChat quickly rose to the top of the social media trending list after its introduction. The Ultra model has a retractable camera with adjustable aperture, a rarity in consumer phones.
Pura emphasizes Huawei's resurgence. Huawei launched its Mate60 series of devices in 2023 with processors that many considered to be beyond the Chinese chipmaker's capabilities. Huawei hasn't revealed the processor in its new phones, but multiple online commentators posted videos on Thursday showing the top model is powered by the Kirin 9010 chip. This is a sequel to the Chinese-made Kirin 9000 in the Mate60 Pro, which was hailed in China last year as proof that China can overcome US sanctions.
Since its launch in August, the Mate 60 has contributed to a significant decline in iPhone sales in China and helped Huawei outperform its domestic rivals.
The Pura series, formerly known as the P series, has traditionally been touted for its camera capabilities. Giving domestic users new options could put further pressure on the iPhone, which is not scheduled for an upgrade until September. For Huawei, this is another step toward rebuilding its consumer business, which was once the engine of revenue growth. — (c) 2024 Bloomberg LP
