Huawei

Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. started in 1987 in Shenzhen as a modest maker of phone switches. Ren Zhengfei, a former People's Liberation Army officer, founded the company with a small team and a clear focus on telecom infrastructure. By 2012, Huawei had overtaken Ericsson to become the world's largest manufacturer of telecommunications equipment. Today, it operates in over 170 countries, supplying everything from 5G base stations to smartphones and solar panels.

Huawei's consumer division has grown into a major player. Its smartphones, including the Pura and Mate series, consistently push camera and battery innovation. The company's tablets captured 27.1% of China's market in Q2 2026, ahead of Apple. In wearables, the Watch GT 7 and GT 7 Pro offer up to 21-day battery life, a feature that stands out in a crowded field.

Beyond devices, Huawei invests heavily in autonomous driving systems for electric vehicles. The Chery-JLR Freelander 8, which opened pre-sales at $50,080 in August 2026, comes with Huawei driver assist as standard. The company also builds cloud services and has expanded into rooftop solar products.

Huawei's journey hasn't been without friction. US sanctions have cut off access to Google services and advanced chips, pushing the company to develop its own alternatives. The Mate 90, set to launch soon, will feature the domestically developed Taolu chip, a significant step toward semiconductor independence. Despite these hurdles, Huawei remains a dominant force in China and a key player in global tech. [edit]