Huawei is pushing into the ultra-thin smartphone segment with the upcoming Huawei Mate 70 Air. Fresh listings on China Telecom’s website reveal key specs for this new device. It features a 6.9-inch Full HD+ display, HarmonyOS 5.0, and memory configurations of 12GB RAM with either 256GB or 512GB storage.
The timing raises questions. Samsung reportedly killed the Galaxy S25 Edge after just five months due to poor sales. Apple’s iPhone Air struggled with battery complaints despite its thin design. Yet Huawei seems confident this market segment has potential.
The Huawei Mate 70 Air design shows a circular rear camera module housing three sensors, including a periscope telephoto lens. The front display features a pill-shaped cutout that likely contains dual selfie cameras and 3D face unlock sensors. Color options include Golden Black, Feather White, and Silver Brocade.
This ultra-thin phone trend has proven challenging for competitors. The Galaxy S25 Edge managed only 190,000 units sold in its first month. Battery life complaints plagued that device despite its impressive 5.8mm thickness. Apple faced similar criticism with the iPhone Air’s compromised battery performance.
Huawei appears to be betting on different strengths. The 6.9-inch screen combined with the “Air” branding suggests they’re targeting users who want large displays without bulk. The Mate 70 series already showed Huawei’s focus on camera technology and premium features.
HarmonyOS 5 and the periscope telephoto setup could help differentiate the Huawei Mate 70 Air from failed competitors. However, global market challenges remain significant for Huawei. The company continues operating without Google services outside China.
Launch timing points to early November 2025, shortly before Huawei shifts attention to the Mate 80 series. The strategy seems risky given recent market failures in this category. Whether Huawei can succeed where Samsung and Apple struggled remains to be seen.
