Advertisement
Smartphones
AbacusTech

Huawei releases budget-friendly phone in US in latest effort to gain foothold

Huawei Mate SE costs $229, but isn’t available through US carriers

Reading Time:1 minute
Why you can trust SCMP
The Huawei Mate SE is being sold for the discounted price of $229. (Source: Huawei).
Andrew Barclay
This article originally appeared on ABACUS

No carrier will sell their phones and the government says you shouldn't buy them. So how is Huawei trying to break into the US? With a cheaper smartphone.

Huawei has released the Mate SE in the US, which is being sold for the discounted price of $229. It follows the release of its high-end Mate 10 Pro earlier this year.

The Huawei Mate SE is being sold for the discounted price of $229. (Source: Huawei)
The Huawei Mate SE is being sold for the discounted price of $229. (Source: Huawei)
Advertisement

Not having a carrier partner is a huge blow for Huawei in a country where 90% of phones are sold with a contract. Buying through a carrier also brings down the sticker price of a phone -- making Huawei’s unlocked phones more expensive in comparison.

Industry watchers were quick to point out the Mate SE is remarkably similar to the Honor 7X, released last month by a sub-brand of Huawei.
Advertisement

But one analyst told us it’s unlikely the phone will do much to improve the world’s third biggest smartphone maker’s standing in the US.

Advertisement
Select Voice
Choose your listening speed
Get through articles 2x faster
1.25x
250 WPM
Slow
Average
Fast
1.25x