News

Huawei could ship lesser smartphones by 2021

From 170 million units to 45 million according to TrendForce

Published

January 8, 2021

Kenrick Buduan

The recent years have been challenging for Huawei and it might not get better soon. A recent report by TrendForce predicts that Huawei will drop to seventh place in total smartphone production volume by 2021, which is huge considering the company placed third last year.

For perspective, Huawei shipped a total of 170 million smartphone units last 2020. This puts it firmly in third place, trailing behind Samsung and Apple. As 2021 comes, TrendForce predicts that Huawei will only ship a total of 45 million smartphones. Such a huge drop in production volume will allow Xiaomi, OPPO, Vivo, and Transsion to overtake the embattled company.

The company will also see a huge drop in the 5G market share. Last year, Huawei commanded a huge 30% market share for 5G smartphones, putting it in second place after Apple with a 31% lead. This 2021, TrendForce predicts a drop to 8% which is a considerable loss. Other companies like Samsung, Xiaomi, OPPO, and Vivo will overtake Huawei with 13%, 11%, 14%, and 13% market share, respectively.

TrendForce attributes their predictions for Huawei to these things: US export restrictions and the spin-off of Honor as an independent brand. Honor became an independent brand after Huawei sold it to a conglomerate last November.

TrendForce now predicts that the two companies will compete with each other, imposing an obstacle to Huawei should it regain the lost market share brought about by the loss of its former sub-brand.

As for the latter, the entity ban that took effect last 2019 will continue to strain the company even if the global smartphone market share improves.

Smartphone market on uncertain times

While the times are hard for Huawei, the global smartphone market is also experiencing difficulties imposed by the pandemic. TrendForce recorded an 11% year-on-year decrease in global smartphone production. Overall, smartphone production for 2020 reached a mere 1.25 billion units. This is a far cry from the 1.4 billion units and upward of 2018 and 2019.

Things are shaking up to improve by 2021, however. As more people become accustomed to the “new” normal, TrendForce predicts a surge in device replacements. Emerging markets will also see a growing demand for smartphones this year. Assuming that these scenarios play out, the global smartphone production will increase to 9%, amounting to a total of 1.36 billion units.

However, TrendForce also warns that these scenarios are dependent on how the pandemic affects the global economy by 2021. Other factors that could affect global smartphone production include geopolitical instabilities and the limited production capacity of the semiconductor foundry market. TrendForce notes that banning SMIC has resulted in additional strain for semiconductor foundries.

Regardless of how the global smartphone production plays out, the 5G market share will continue to increase this 2021. Last year, the global penetration rate stands at 19% amounting to 240 million 5G-powered smartphones. TrendForce predicts an increase of 37% penetration rate for this year alone thanks to projected 500 million 5G-powered units.

News

HONOR Magic8 Pro gets Android 17 Beta 3 support early

Android 17 arrives early

Published

May 12, 2026

Rodneil Quiteles

The HONOR Magic8 Pro is among the first smartphones to support Android 17 Beta 3, giving developers early access to Google’s upcoming mobile platform ahead of its wider release.

According to HONOR, the early beta access allows developers to test app compatibility, optimize performance, and integrate new Android 17 features using the company’s flagship smartphone.

Android 17 Beta 3

Android 17 Beta 3 introduces several new multitasking, customization, camera, and privacy tools. One of its biggest additions is the expansion of Bubbles into a system-wide feature. Apps can now run in floating windows that users can minimize and reopen from anywhere on-screen.

The update also adds support for the RAW14 image format. HONOR says this allows developers to better take advantage of the Magic8 Pro’s AiMAGE camera system for improved image processing, dynamic range, and color accuracy in third-party camera and editing apps.

Android 17 Beta 3 also expands UI customization. Users can now hide app labels for a cleaner home screen layout, while developers can adjust Photo Picker layouts with different aspect ratios including portrait-style 9:16 views.

Other updates include separate Quick Settings toggles for Wi-Fi and mobile data, alongside a redesigned screen recording interface that lets users choose between recording the full display or a specific app.

Privacy and security improvements are also part of the update. Android 17 Beta 3 adds session-only precise location access, blocks local network access by default, and introduces protections against code injection attacks. Google is also preparing Android for future cybersecurity threats through support for Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC).

The HONOR Magic8 Pro features the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Mobile Platform, HONOR’s AiMAGE imaging system, and a 6,270mAh Silicon-carbon Battery. HONOR says its participation in the Android 17 Beta program highlights its continued collaboration with Google ahead of Android 17’s official release.

News

Dua Lipa is suing Samsung for $15 million

Samsung allegedly used her image without her consent.

Published

May 11, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Samsung has an unlikely rival. Dua Lipa is suing the South Korean company for using her image without her permission.

In the marketing world, brand endorsers are part and parcel of how products are pushed to the market. Famous celebrities are often asked to advertise a product for their potential star power. That said, a company needs the endorser’s consent first.

According to a new suit (via Variety), pop star Dua Lipa is suing Samsung for using her image to endorse TVs without her consent. The South Korean brand is reportedly using Lipa’s photo on the packaging of its TVs. Lipa alleges that the photo’s usage implies that she endorses the TV, which she does not.

The complaint also alleges that Lipa asked Samsung to take down the image last year. However, Samsung’s reply was, to her, “dismissive and callous.” The brand has then continued to use the image in its packaging.

To prove her point, the suit includes anecdotes of Samsung customers who bought the TV specifically because the packaging has Lipa’s image on it. To pay for damages, Lipa is asking for US$ 15 million from the global brand for copyright infringement.

Gaming

The Switch 2 is getting more expensive this year

The price increases will start this month.

Published

May 11, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Gone are the days when consoles get cheaper as time goes by. These days, especially because of the RAM crisis, gaming consoles are getting more expensive. Joining this worrying trend, the Nintendo Switch 2 is getting a price hike.

Even upon launch, the Switch 2 was already pricier than its original counterpart. Currently, without the incoming price hikes, the console retails for US$ 449.99. It’s a lot but not completely out of reach.

Last week, Nintendo announced a price hike that might push the console to less than attainable levels. Starting May 25, the Switch 2 will cost JPY 59,980 (up from JPY 49,980) in Japan. The original generation is also getting a hike: JPY 47,980 for the Switch OLED, JPY 43,980 for the base Switch, and JPY 29,980 for the Switch Lite.

Abroad, you can expect price hikes on September 1. The Switch 2 will jump to US$ 499.99, CAN 679.99, or EUR 499.99, depending on where you live. These are the only official hikes announced right now, but Nintendo has confirmed that price revisions will be implemented in other regions, too.

As you might expect, the price increases are due to the ongoing RAM crisis. Though the console is an undeniable hit, the Switch 2 can’t hide behind its popularity against the price shortage dealt by unnecessary data centers. At the very least, users worldwide have time to grab the console in its original pricing before the hikes.