Life After Huawei: Honor Bids to Become ‘Iconic’ Global Phone Brand
In a bid to reestablish itself as a major player in the smartphone market, Honor is set to break away from the shadows of its former parent company Huawei, aiming to become an ‘iconic’ global phone brand.
Back in November 2020, Huawei sold off its sub-brand Honor to Shenzhen Zhixin New Information Technology amidst the ongoing US-China trade war and the imposition of US sanctions. The move was made to save the company from potentially devastating economic challenges and opened doors for Honor to grow independently.
Since its departure from Huawei, Honor has been hard at work setting ambitious targets, recent announcements indicating that the company will expand beyond its current presence in Asia and Europe. Efforts include plans to enter markets such as Latin America and Africa, both emerging regions synonymous with rapidly growing consumer bases.
One of the most significant hurdles that Honor faced while connected with Huawei was the inability to utilize Google’s Android services. However, since their split, industry insiders speculate that it’s only a matter of time before we see an Honor device running on a full version of Android – complete with Google’s suite of applications – creating exciting avenues for partnerships within the tech industry.
Indeed, it appears that those predictions are coming to fruition as Honor has already launched its first flagship smartphone since parting ways with Huawei. The Honor V40 5G came into the market in January 2021, equipped with a powerful MediaTek Dimensity 1000+ chipset, impressive camera qualities, and 66W fast charging capabilities.
The company’s new independence has already attracted interest from top-tier suppliers like Qualcomm, Intel, and AMD, all eager to form partnerships for providing tech components crucial for future devices. Furthermore, leading brands like Xiaomi and Samsung face significant competition as Honor seeks differentiation through value-for-money devices and unique user experiences in an increasingly saturated market.
Honor’s ambitious expansion plans and a renewed global market strategy have instilled confidence among its shareholders. The young smartphone brand is determined to sharpen its focus on the needs of modern customers while learning from erstwhile parent Huawei’s experience.
The road ahead for Honor seems promising. However, becoming a household name will not be without challenges, as the brand must navigate the fierce competition in pricing, technological innovation, and user loyalty they encounter at every step. Building up an iconic global phone brand is undoubtedly an arduous task, but with new partnerships, fresh strategies, and an ever-growing market presence, Honor appears to be up for the challenge.