It was reported yesterday that Honor has started testing mobile devices powered with 5G chipsets provided by Qualcomm. A Chinese publication reported today that an ODM (Original Design Manufacturer) is already working on a new Honor product fueled by the MediaTek platform. Hence, it appears that the Honor smartphones featuring MediaTek chips may also arrive in the market later this year.
The Taiwan-based chipset maker told the Chinese publication that as a global smartphone chipset supplier, MediaTek has partnered with many OEMs to bring leading technology to consumers across the world. As far as working with Honor is concerned, MediaTek said that since Honor is a newly established independent company, it is evaluating the current situation. Hence, it appears that it may some time for the Taiwan-based chip maker to accept large orders for chipsets from Honor.
While MediaTek did not reveal its plans to collaborate with Honor, an OLED manufacture told reporters that it is already working for Honor using a MediaTek chip. He revealed that the said device is expected to hit the markets by mid-2021.
The US trade ban that is imposed on Huawei is not applicable on Honor as it became a separate brand back in November 2020. Hence, as a newly established brand, Honor is looking forward for partnering with companies like Qualcomm and MediaTek for chips to power its upcoming smartphones.
Huawei and Honor previously shared the same supply chain. However, with Honor’s sale, Huawei’s pressure on acquiring chips for Honor branded devices have reportedly reduced. Honor’s current market share in China is 13 precent and it is placed at fourth position. After separating from Huawei, Honor President Zhao Ming said that it wants Honor to begin the number smartphone company in China.
