This archive report was first published on 20 September 2019.
On September 20, 2019, Huawei launched its Mate 30 Pro smartphone, a device that marks a significant shift in the tech industry. The phone, unveiled at an event in Munich, does not come with any Google apps, including the Google Play Store.
According to Richard Yu, chief executive of Huawei's Consumer Business Group, the phone's new hardware features, such as a quadruple-lens rear camera, were the main focus of the launch. However, details on the software were scarce, with the Chinese firm only briefly mentioning its own app store, AppGallery, as an alternative to the Google Play Store.
Initial use of AppGallery showed a number of omissions, including WhatsApp and Instagram. The company also failed to state a release date for the Mate 30 series. This move comes amid allegations that Huawei is a threat to US national security due to its alleged close ties to the Chinese government, which Huawei has consistently denied.
Although the US government effectively blacklisted Huawei in May, a temporary licence was issued, allowing the company to maintain existing devices. However, this licence does not apply to new products, which means the Mate 30 Pro will not have access to the Google Play Store. Android, the world's most widely used operating system, is allowed on the Mate 30 line of devices because it is open-source, but without access to the Google Play Store, users will not be able to easily download and install their favourite third-party apps.
Mobile expert Ru Bhikha from uSwitch noted that the absence of Google apps will likely be a hard sell for consumers in countries like the UK, where apps like Chrome and Gmail are widely used.
As the tech industry continues to evolve, the launch of the Mate 30 Pro marks a significant shift towards a more fragmented market, where companies like Huawei are exploring alternative app stores and software solutions.
