Technology giant Huawei is plotting to overtake Apple and Samsung in the mobile phone market. Matt Warman spoke to the firm’s director of innovation about China, expansion and making great kit .
In Barcelona this week, the annual Mobile World Congress had halls packed full with glossy stands from the world’s biggest technology brands.
More than 72,000 people filed past enormous booths from Samsung and Sony, as well as from those who make the innards of the mobile phones and tablets that are shaping a generation.
But it wasn’t just Qualcomm and Intel making themselves conspicuous on Spain’s north-west coast. China’s Huawei was one of the few brands with not one but two enormous stands. And, perhaps more so than any other company in Barcelona, the Chinese giant’s message was clear. Already dominant in the infrastructure crucial to modern communications, now it also wants to be as big a brand for consumers as any other in the world.
Wan Biao is the chief executive of Huawei Devices, the division of the company leading the charge to move from controversial infrastructure provider to a top global company whose products consumers aspire to own. He’s aiming for nothing less than challenging Samsung and Apple. If he has his way, it won’t be long before we’re queuing round the block for a smartphone branded “Ascend”. It couldn’t be more aptly named.
“If you look back five years ago, Apple is small, Samsung is not so big,” says Wan. “You can’t see where we’ll be in five years. At least top three. Maybe number one.”
By Matt Warman
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