
Audio By Carbonatix
Huawei's next flagship smartphone will not come with Google's popular apps including Maps and YouTube.Google confirmed that due to a US government ban on sales to Huawei, it could not license its apps to the Chinese smartphone giant.It also means the next Huawei phone will not have access to the Google Play app store, which could leave customers without access to other popular apps.Analysts suggest Huawei will struggle to sell a phone without Google's apps.The US government restricted American companies from selling products and services to Huawei in May, citing national security concerns, which Huawei rejects.President Donald Trump said last month that some exemptions would be allowed.But US officials have not granted any licences to trade with Huawei, despite receiving more than 130 requests.The Android operating system is open-source software, so any manufacturer can offer it on their smartphone or tablet.But companies need an agreement with Google to include its popular apps such as Maps, Pay, Search, Photos, Play Store and YouTube.Google has not said whether it has applied for permission to offer its apps to Huawei.Huawei said in a statement: "Huawei will continue to use the Android OS and ecosystem if the US government allows us to do so. Otherwise, we will continue to develop our own operating system and ecosystem."It has set up a website named Huawei Answers to address consumer concerns about the company's relationship with Android."Anyone who has already bought, or is about to buy a Huawei smartphone, can continue to access the world of apps as they have always done."All devices continue to be covered by our manufacturer's warranty and will receive full-service support accordingly," the company said.Analysis
Huawei is just weeks away from launching its next flagship phone, the Mate 30 Pro.It will be Huawei's first major phone launch since the US restrictions were applied in May.But analysts say launching without Google's apps in Europe will be a major blow.Consumers expect to have access to all the major apps they are used to - including Maps and YouTube. Without them, Huawei's phones will seem a lot less appealing.And losing the Play Store means Huawei will need to provide another way for customers to access other popular apps such as Facebook, Twitter and BBC News.It is possible to create Android-powered devices without involving Google. Amazon does this with its Fire tablets, which do not come with Google's apps.But will customers want a premium, high-end mobile phone that does not have access to some of the world's most-used apps?Huawei has said it will continue using Android for as long as the US government allows it.But it is also working on its own operating system - Harmony OS - as a back-up plan.
Huawei is just weeks away from launching its next flagship phone, the Mate 30 Pro.It will be Huawei's first major phone launch since the US restrictions were applied in May.But analysts say launching without Google's apps in Europe will be a major blow.Consumers expect to have access to all the major apps they are used to - including Maps and YouTube. Without them, Huawei's phones will seem a lot less appealing.And losing the Play Store means Huawei will need to provide another way for customers to access other popular apps such as Facebook, Twitter and BBC News.It is possible to create Android-powered devices without involving Google. Amazon does this with its Fire tablets, which do not come with Google's apps.But will customers want a premium, high-end mobile phone that does not have access to some of the world's most-used apps?Huawei has said it will continue using Android for as long as the US government allows it.But it is also working on its own operating system - Harmony OS - as a back-up plan.DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Sierra Leone introduces mandatory online health declaration for all travellers
4 minutes -
SSNIT launches Membership Value Programme to offer contributors benefits beyond pensions
4 minutes -
Why Europe’s Angel Networks are redirecting early‑stage capital toward Africa’s accelerating AI ecosystem
10 minutes -
Gov’t must step in to secure land for waste management in Accra — Richard Fiadomor
16 minutes -
Gov’t deploys 506 Feed Ghana Brigade officers nationwide to strengthen agricultural extension services
27 minutes -
A response to Prof Kwaku Asare’s defence of “useless” degrees
40 minutes -
When mentorship becomes bullying: The hidden abuse of power in academia
41 minutes -
Mahama pledges to make Upper West a hub for academic excellence in Northern Ghana
43 minutes -
Mr Oduro releases ‘Gishiri’ to raise awareness about excessive salt consumption
46 minutes -
CSA warns of rise in online hookup blackmail, urges public to report cyber extortion
50 minutes -
Government identifies 50 locations for Farmers Service Centres nationwide – Mahama
51 minutes -
Support Leadership, Not Division: Why Kurt E.S. Okraku deserves our backing
52 minutes -
Ghana football deserves better: A reckoning after the 2026 World Cup
56 minutes -
Governance should be measured by completed projects, not promises – Mahama
59 minutes -
Government begins procurement process for new Wa Airport – Mahama
60 minutes