What ban! Huawei's Honor set to launch new smartphones next quarter

Chinese technology company Huawei's smartphone brand Honor is likely to launch new devices in the next quarter notwithstanding the US government's ban on software and hardware supplies to the parent firm, according to industry sources. The US government has barred its companies, including Google, from supplying software and hardware to Huawei alleging security risk from the company.

Honor sells smartphones based on Google-owned Android platform. "Honor is planning to launch new smartphones in the next quarter," an industry source involved in business with Honor said. When contacted, an Honor spokesperson declined to comment on the matter.

Honor on Tuesday unveiled Honor 20 series smartphones in India which include Honor 20 Pro, Honor 20, and HONOR 20i in the price range of Rs 14,999 to Rs 39,999 a unit. All the three smartphones run on Google's Android Pie version.

However, the company officials shared presentation about the phones and did not respond to media query. When asked about software updates on the new smartphones, Honor in an email reply said "Huawei will continue to provide security updates and after-sales services to all existing Huawei and Honor smartphone and tablet products, covering those that have been sold and that are still in stock globally."

The firm said that the products that it has sold and is currently selling will not be affected by the US ban. "You will be able to continue using these services as you normally would," Honor said.

Honor has also partnered with Reliance Jio for the new smartphones under which Honor 20 series users will get Rs 2,200 cash back and additional 4G data. The devices would go on sale on Flipkart from June 18 onwards.

The company also claimed to refund 90 per cent of the cost of the phones if users dislike them and return it within 90 days.