How Huawei Surpassed Apple: Lessons in Innovation and Resilience

Imagine two companies. Company A is doing remarkably well—it partners with others, its products are loved globally, and customers can’t stop raving about them. Then there’s Company B, highly innovative but constrained by severe restrictions, banned from partnerships, forced to build everything on its own, and almost written off.

Who would you bet on to succeed in five years? Most of us would pick Company A. Surprisingly, though, the winner turned out to be Company B—Huawei.

Huawei’s success story is nothing short of remarkable. Despite being banned in major markets like the USA and India and losing access to Google services, Huawei’s sales in China grew by over 70%, while Apple’s fell by 18%. The company’s determination to survive, innovate, and thrive under pressure has turned it into a symbol of resilience.

Huawei Pura X: A Bold Statement in Smartphone Design

One of Huawei’s latest innovations, the Huawei Pura X, exemplifies why the company is pulling ahead. This compact flip phone sold out in China, and here’s why.

Unlike other flip phones that are meant to be used unfolded most of the time, the Pura X is designed to function primarily folded. Its 3.5-inch outer display allows users to access apps like maps, camera, and file manager without unfolding the device. The placement of buttons, speakers, and the unique cover display all make using the phone folded intuitive and practical.

The inner 6.3-inch display is bright, with minimal creasing, making it ideal for watching videos or multitasking. Compared to competitors, the viewing experience is much better because the screen avoids awkward black bars and cropping issues common in foldables.

Camera and Software: Breaking Barriers

The Pura X’s triple camera setup is impressive, particularly for a flip phone. The cameras handle light, color, and skin tones well—although the system leans toward brightening skin tones, reflecting its optimization for Chinese users. Plus, you can use all three rear cameras as selfie cameras, and the software even warns you if your finger blocks the microphone—a smart, practical touch.

On the software front, Huawei has taken a giant leap. The Harmony OS Next is a completely independent operating system, no longer based on Android. This independence means Google apps like YouTube and Chrome don’t work, but Huawei has created its own ecosystem of apps and services. While many popular apps can still run through clever workarounds, Google apps remain incompatible.

Custom Hardware: Powering the Ecosystem

Huawei isn’t just innovating in software. The Kirin 9020 processor, built in-house, powers the Pura X. This 12-core, 7nm chip performs close to a Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, delivering flagship-level performance from just a couple of years ago. Gaming performance is mixed—BGMI runs smoothly at 60 FPS, but some heavier games like COD Warzone struggle to install.

How Huawei Surpassed Apple

Huawei’s rise isn’t just about innovation—it’s also about national support. The Chinese government has played a key role, offering discounts of 10–20% on locally made smartphones like Huawei’s, driving sales past Apple in China. Over the past year, Huawei’s sales surged 50%, leaving Apple behind.

This government backing has also allowed Huawei to advance its manufacturing, chip design, and software development, turning China from a global manufacturing hub into a smartphone innovation powerhouse.

Lessons for India

India, one of the world’s largest smartphone markets, has a Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, but local innovation is still limited. To build truly competitive Indian smartphone brands, India needs to invest more in domestic innovation, not just manufacturing. A homegrown smartphone brand that can stand tall globally is long overdue.

Final Thoughts

Huawei’s story is a masterclass in resilience, innovation, and the power of national support. Despite international bans and massive obstacles, it has redefined what’s possible in the smartphone industry. As the global tech landscape shifts, India and other countries can learn from Huawei’s journey—not just to survive, but to lead.