Huawei Launches Phone with Own Version of Android

The Mate 30 series of phones are a direct response to U.S. export sanctions.

Huawei Building Sign Ap 5d6fc03e1ebbf
AP Photo/Andy Wong, File

MUNICH (AP) — Huawei is launching a new flagship smartphone that will run on the Chinese tech giant's own version of Google's Android operating system because of U.S. export sanctions. The Chinese tech giant unveiled the Mate 30 series of phones at an event in Munich, Germany on Thursday.

The device wasn't expected to come with popular Google apps such as Chrome, YouTube, Gmail or the Google Play Store, limiting its appeal to consumers. Huawei, the world's second-biggest smartphone maker, is fighting to save its business after the Trump administration blocked access to U.S. components and technology in May on national security grounds.

Washington has issued temporary exemptions that let Huawei maintain software for existing devices, but they don't cover new products such as the Mate 30.


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