TLDRs;
- Huawei launches Mate 70 Air at $590, almost half the price of Apple’s $999 iPhone Air.
- The phone debuts with a 6.6mm frame, 7-inch display, and 6,500mAh battery on HarmonyOS.
- Apple’s China revenue dropped 4% amid tougher competition from Huawei and Xiaomi.
- Huawei now leads China’s smartphone market with a 20% share, challenging Apple’s dominance.
Huawei has officially launched the Mate 70 Air, an ultra-slim smartphone designed to rival Apple’s latest iPhone Air, but at nearly half the cost. Priced at 4,199 yuan (approximately US$590), the Mate 70 Air positions itself squarely in the premium design segment, but with a distinctly value-driven edge.
The 6.6mm-thick handset features a 7-inch full-view display, stereo speakers, and a 6,500mAh battery, offering a mix of elegance and endurance that Huawei says is “crafted for those who prioritize both form and functionality.” The phone runs on HarmonyOS, Huawei’s proprietary operating system, underscoring the company’s continued pivot away from U.S.-restricted Android systems.
Deliveries for the Mate 70 Air begin November 11, following a pre-order phase that has already drawn heavy traffic across Chinese online platforms.
Price War in the Ultra-Thin Segment
Apple’s iPhone Air, launched alongside the iPhone 17 series, set the tone for a new wave of ultra-thin smartphone competition earlier this year. At US$999, Apple’s latest “Air” model is marginally thinner than Huawei’s new release but carries a steep premium price tag.
By pricing the Mate 70 Air nearly 40% lower, Huawei is making an aggressive play for design-conscious consumers in China who want Apple’s aesthetics without the Apple tax. The strategy also taps into the rising appetite for high-spec yet affordable devices, a category where Chinese manufacturers have historically outperformed Western rivals.
Huawei’s pricing undercut may also force competitors like Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo to reconsider their pricing structures in the coming months, as the domestic market’s race for premium share heats up.
China’s Smartphone Market Rebalances
The timing of the Mate 70 Air launch is strategic. Apple recently reported a 4% drop in China revenue, totaling US$14.5 billion for the September quarter, missing analyst expectations by nearly US$1.9 billion. The shortfall was largely attributed to supply constraints, though Apple CEO Tim Cook maintained optimism about long-term growth.
Despite Apple’s setback, early data from Counterpoint Research showed a 29% year-on-year surge in sales for the iPhone 17 and 17 Pro during the first two weeks of October. However, analysts caution that early figures often reflect channel fill, stock shipped to retailers rather than direct consumer purchases.
Meanwhile, Huawei reclaimed its position as China’s top smartphone brand in early 2025 with a 20% market share, signaling a broader consumer shift toward locally manufactured devices.
A Growing Ecosystem Beyond Hardware
Huawei’s ambitions stretch beyond hardware. The Mate 70 Air is part of a broader push to integrate AI-powered experiences and cross-device interoperability across its product lineup. HarmonyOS now connects seamlessly with Huawei’s tablets, wearables, and home devices, giving it a platform advantage that few rivals can match domestically.
As part of its AI-first strategy, Huawei has been integrating real-time translation tools, voice-enhanced assistants, and adaptive display technology that adjusts to user behavior. Analysts suggest this ecosystem-driven model could reinforce Huawei’s brand loyalty in China, and potentially reduce reliance on Western software ecosystems.
For Apple, that shift presents a long-term challenge. Although its iPhone 17 series has maintained strong momentum globally, its foothold in China may weaken if pricing disparities and ecosystem fragmentation continue to widen.
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