Huawei REPLACES Google Despite U.S. Sanctions... What's Going On?

Summary

Huawei's rise in the tech world is a game-changer, with its shift away from Google-driven systems. After facing US sanctions in 2019, Huawei built its own thriving ecosystem with Harmony OS, Pedal Search, and its cloud services, competing with tech giants like Google. By 2025, Huawei's innovations, including its chipsets and integration across devices, have led to rapid growth, especially in China. While Google remains dominant, Huawei's resilience and vision are reshaping the global tech landscape, offering consumers new choices in privacy, technology, and local market needs, signaling a future where multiple ecosystems thrive.

Takeaways

• 😀 Huawei's rise is a major challenge to Google's dominance in the tech world, offering alternatives in services and ecosystems.
• 😀 Huawei's transformation started in 2019 when US sanctions blocked access to Google, but the company thrived by innovating without Google services.
• 😀 Harmony OS, Huawei's homegrown operating system, now runs on over 900 million devices, offering flexibility and security without reliance on Google.
• 😀 Huawei's Pedal Search is a growing alternative to Google Search, expanding in Asia, Europe, and Africa with local-focused services.
• 😀 Huawei's App Gallery now has over 580 million active users, growing rapidly, but still trailing Google's Play Store with its global reach.
• 😀 Despite US sanctions, Huawei's hardware, like the Mate 70 series with its proprietary Kirin chips, is seeing impressive sales, particularly in China.
• 😀 Huawei's cloud services and AI offerings are expanding, presenting competitive alternatives to Google Cloud, especially in Asia.
• 😀 Huawei's success challenges the dominance of US tech giants and signals a shift towards a more diverse, multi-centered global tech landscape.
• 😀 Google is enhancing its own offerings with AI, better privacy features, and efforts to reduce Play Store fees, but faces challenges like growing privacy concerns and regulatory pressure.
• 😀 Huawei's ambitions include reaching 1 billion Harmony OS devices by 2026, and it is investing heavily in areas like 6G and smart cities to further challenge Google’s position.

Q & A

What is Huawei's position in the tech ecosystem after the 2019 US sanctions?

After the 2019 US sanctions, which blocked Huawei from using Google services, many analysts predicted its downfall. However, Huawei turned this adversity into an opportunity by building its own tech ecosystem, including Harmony OS, Pedal Search, and expanding its hardware and cloud services.

How has Huawei's Harmony OS developed over the years?

Huawei's Harmony OS has evolved significantly since its inception. By 2025, it was running on over 900 million devices worldwide, including smartphones, TVs, and cars. It is designed to be fast, secure, and flexible, offering seamless integration across various devices, even surpassing Apple's integration in some areas.

How successful is Huawei's Pedal Search compared to Google Search?

Huawei's Pedal Search has grown rapidly and now handles millions of queries daily, particularly across Asia. The service is expanding into Europe and Africa and aims to offer an alternative to Google's data-driven algorithms, providing a localized search experience.

What are some of the key challenges Huawei faces outside of China?

Outside of China, Huawei faces the challenge of not having Google apps on its devices, meaning users need workarounds for services like YouTube or Gmail. Additionally, its app gallery is still developing and is not yet as comprehensive as the Google Play Store in Western markets.

How has Huawei managed to thrive despite the chip manufacturing restrictions?

Despite US sanctions cutting off access to advanced chip manufacturing, Huawei continued to innovate. Their latest chip, the Kierin 91000, demonstrates their ability to advance technology even under these constraints. Their smartphone sales in China increased by 40% in 2024, showing resilience and adaptability.

What strategic partnerships has Huawei formed to grow its app gallery?

Huawei has formed strategic partnerships, such as with Tencent, to ensure that essential apps like WeChat are available and optimized for their devices. This helps boost the growth of their app gallery, which now boasts over 580 million monthly active users.

What are some of the advantages of Huawei's cloud services over Google Cloud?

Huawei's cloud services offer competitive pricing and ensure local data compliance, making them an attractive alternative to Google Cloud, especially in regions where data laws favor local providers. Their cloud services are particularly compelling for businesses in Asia.

How does Huawei's Mate 70 series compare to other smartphones in the market?

The Huawei Mate 70 series showcases innovative features such as foldable screens, 100W fast charging, and advanced AI capabilities, often at lower prices than comparable devices like the Google Pixel. These features contribute to its growing popularity, especially in China.

What are Huawei's plans for the future regarding Harmony OS and its global expansion?

Huawei aims to have Harmony OS running on 1 billion devices by 2026. They are focusing on expanding Pedal Search with AI features and targeting markets like India. Huawei is also making significant investments in 6G research and smart city technologies to further broaden its influence.

What does Huawei's rise mean for the global tech ecosystem?

Huawei's rise signifies a shift away from US-centric tech dominance. It highlights the emergence of multiple centers of innovation globally, offering consumers more choice, better privacy protections, and technologies tailored to local needs, which could lead to a more competitive and diverse tech landscape.