Is Huawei Struggling?

Google has restricted Huawei. In recent days Google decided to block updates to Huawei phones, following the Trump administration adding Huawei to a list of companies that American firms cannot trade with unless they have a licence.

What Google Said

Google stated it was complying with the order and reviewing the implications, but also confirmed that Google Play and security protections from Google Play would continue to function on existing Huawei devices.

What Huawei Said

Huawei confirmed they would continue to provide security updates and after-sales services to all existing Huawei and Honor smartphone and tablet products globally. They also stated they would continue to build a safe and sustainable software ecosystem.

Does This Affect Me if I Have a Huawei Phone?

If you currently have a Huawei device, you will be able to update apps, apply security fixes, and update Google Play services. However, the next generation of Huawei phones will not have any Google apps or software on their devices.

The Bigger Picture

Huawei had been heading towards a strong position in the smartphone market and was also leading the race to develop 5G infrastructure. This trade ban threw both trajectories into uncertainty.

For businesses, this is a reminder to consider supply chain risk and vendor diversity when making technology procurement decisions. Module IT can help you review your device and vendor strategy.