This archive report was first published on 5 August 2019.
Chinese technology giant Huawei is reportedly testing a smartphone equipped with its self-developed Hongmeng operating system, a move that could potentially mark a major shift in the company's strategy amidst ongoing US-China trade tensions.
As per a report by Global Times, the release of a Hongmeng-powered smartphone would be a significant development for Huawei, the world's second-largest smartphone maker, which has been facing challenges in accessing Google's Android operating system due to US government actions.
The device, priced at around Sh30,000 ($288), is expected to be positioned in the low-end segment of the smartphone market, according to unnamed sources cited by Global Times.
However, Huawei has not commented on the report, and company executives have previously downplayed the possibility of using Hongmeng for smartphones, instead focusing on its use for internet-of-things products.
Despite this, Huawei's chairman Liang Hua mentioned Hongmeng as part of the company's 'long-term strategy' during an earnings announcement last month, sparking speculation about the company's plans.
Huawei has been at the center of geopolitical tensions between the US and China since May, when President Donald Trump placed the company on an 'entity list' that effectively barred American suppliers from selling to the company.
