Could Huawei’s Latest Phones Support 5G Connectivity?
Huawei has quietly introduced its new flagship series, the Huawei Mate 60 and Mate 60 Pro, marking its second major release of the year. These smartphones made their debut with minimal fanfare in China and come equipped with impressive hardware features, including LTPO OLED displays, specialized Kunlun glass, and facial recognition capabilities. Notably, Huawei is rumored to have incorporated 5G capabilities into these devices, a significant development for the company since it faced trade restrictions imposed by the Trump administration.
The Huawei Mate 60 Pro, although running on Huawei’s HarmonyOS, is a typical flagship phone that would be a top contender among Android devices. It boasts a 6.82-inch 2720 x 1260 120Hz display with minimal bezels, only interrupted by a discreet hole-punch design for selfies and facial recognition. Huawei continues to emphasize its camera prowess, featuring a potent triple-lens rear camera system consisting of a 50MP primary camera, a 12MP ultra-wide camera, and a 48MP telephoto camera. Powering this device is a 5,000 mAh battery with 88W fast charging support.
The Mate 60, on the other hand, is a slightly scaled-down version of the Mate 60 Pro. It retains most key features, including fast charging and the LTPO display, but lacks the triple-hole punch for secure facial identification. Additionally, it comes with a smaller 4,750 mAh battery and 66W charging. Both the Mate 60 and Mate 60 Pro are also capable of two-way satellite texting, similar to the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro.
What’s particularly noteworthy about 5G compatibility?
According to a Reuters report, the low-key launch of the Mate 60 and Mate 60 Pro even surprised Huawei’s own staff, suggesting a deliberate attempt to keep it under wraps. The reason for this discretion may lie in the fact that these new devices are rumored to support 5G connectivity, a substantial development for Huawei.
It’s worth noting that while most contemporary smartphones come equipped with 5G modems, Huawei’s previous flagship models, the Mate 50 and Mate 50 Pro, were not 5G-capable due to trade restrictions preventing the company from sourcing 5G chips. Even the Huawei P60 and P60 Pro relied on a 4G version of the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 processor.
If Huawei has indeed surmounted these U.S. restrictions, it would signify a significant achievement for the company. While the inclusion of 5G technology is a positive step, Huawei still faces challenges in expanding its market share beyond its home country, mainly due to the absence of the Google Play Store. In contrast, rival companies like Xiaomi have no such limitations, and Honor continues to support Google Play services, providing consumers with alternative options, as evident in our Honor Magic 5 Pro review.