Huawei is one of the largest technology companies in the world, known for its innovation in telecommunications devices, smartphones, and network solutions. Founded in 1987 in China, Huawei grew rapidly, establishing a significant global presence. Despite its impressive growth, the company is also surrounded by mysteries and curiosities that intrigue many.

From its unusual name, which means “Chinese achievement”, to its controversial role in cybersecurity and privacy discussions in various countries, Huawei has a trajectory marked by surprising innovations and unique challenges.

With its pioneering contributions to 5G technology and artificial intelligence development, the company continues to influence the future of global connectivity. In this text, we will explore some of the most intriguing curiosities about Huawei, from its founding to the present day.

1 – FOUNDER IS VERY DISCREET

Ren Zhengfei, a former Chinese army engineer, founded Huawei in 1987. Known for being quite discreet and avoiding media appearances, he rarely gives interviews. However, with the recent crisis involving Huawei, the CEO decided to speak more openly and started giving interviews to defend the company. His personal fortune is estimated at US$1.7 billion.

2 – TOP THREE SMARTPHONE MANUFACTURERS

Huawei is among the top three smartphone manufacturers in the world and recorded an impressive growth of 50.3% between 2018 and 2019.

According to IDC consulting data, the Chinese company holds the second position in the global market, surpassing Apple, which is in third place, and only trailing Samsung, which leads the ranking. These figures refer to the performance of the first quarter of 2019.

3 – FOLDABLE SMARTPHONES

Huawei has secured its position in the foldable smartphone competition. The Huawei Mate X is the model chosen by the brand to enter this market, featuring a single flexible screen that can be used in three different ways. In addition to this innovation, the device offers high-level technical specifications and a triple camera with 40, 16, and 8-megapixel sensors. As of now, there is no release date for the Mate X in Brazil.

4 – THOUSANDS OF EMPLOYEES

Huawei employs over 180,000 people worldwide.

This number is smaller than IBM’s 350,000 and Samsung’s 321,000, but surpasses Apple’s 132,000, Nokia’s 102,000, SAP’s 96,000, Ericsson’s 95,000, and Qualcomm’s 35,000. Huawei’s employees are distributed across the 170 countries where the Chinese company operates.

5 – BRAZILIAN MARKET

Huawei returned to the Brazilian market in May 2019, launching the Huawei P30 Pro and Huawei P30 Lite smartphones.

The premium model was introduced with a suggested price of R$ 5,499, while the mid-range model was launched at R$ 2,499. It is important to note that this return refers only to the mobile division, following the company’s departure in 2013.

Huawei has been present in Brazil for quite some time, providing equipment for the telecommunications sector.

6 – SENSORS

Cameras have become a major differentiator for Huawei smartphones. One of the factors that generate significant interest are the RYB sensors, developed in collaboration with Leica.

These sensors use a color filter distinct from the standard, contributing to more accurate color reproduction and helping to correct overexposure issues when the sensor receives excessive light.

7 – MULTIPLE CAMERAS

The Honor Magic 2, a smartphone from the Honor subsidiary, stood out for its six-camera setup, with three on the front and three on the back.

This feature allows the device to capture selfies with the popular Portrait Mode, as well as providing the rear camera array with the same foundation that made the Huawei P20 Pro a reference in photographic quality.

8 – PHOTOGRAPHING THE MOON WITH 50X ZOOM

One of the major selling points of the Huawei P30 Pro is its ability to photograph the moon with its 50x zoom.

However, the Moon Mode generated controversy: according to Android Authority, the feature could create artificial images by using existing photos of the moon to produce more detailed versions. In response to the specialized site, Huawei denied this accusation, stating that the system does not replace any images.

9 – MEMORY CARD

Huawei is interested in replacing the traditional microSD memory card used in smartphones. With the launch of the NM Card, the company aims to introduce a new type of card that is 45% smaller than the current standard and can be inserted into the same slots as SIM cards.

However, this innovation is currently available only in a few specific models of the brand.

10 – SUSPENSION OF LICENSE FOR THE CHINESE MANUFACTURER

The conflict between the U.S. government and Huawei resulted in the suspension of the Chinese manufacturer’s license for Android and other Google services.

This situation highlighted Huawei’s own operating system project, called Project Z. However, according to the specialized site The Information, the software development is still far from completion.

11 – ESPIONAGE ALLEGATIONS

Allegations of espionage against Huawei emerged primarily in 2018 when the United States began raising concerns about national security.

The allegations include claims that Huawei, through its telecommunications equipment, could facilitate espionage for the Chinese government, given its ties to the Chinese government and Chinese legislation that might require companies to cooperate on security matters.

Huawei has repeatedly denied all espionage allegations. The company states that its practices comply with international laws and regulations and that there is no evidence of any wrongdoing.

Huawei also highlights that it has a robust privacy and security policy and that its operations are regularly audited.

12 – ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

In 2024, Huawei Technologies claimed to have made significant advancements in areas such as operating systems and artificial intelligence (AI), achieving in a decade what took 30 years for the United States and Europe.

Richard Yu, President of Huawei’s Consumer Business Group, made these statements during the opening of a three-day developer conference in Dongguan, southern China. He mentioned that HarmonyOS, the operating system developed by Huawei and launched in 2019 after the company was excluded from Google’s Android support, is now installed on over 900 million devices.

Additionally, Yu highlighted that Huawei’s Ascend AI infrastructure, the most powerful of any Chinese company, has become the second most popular in the market, trailing only Nvidia, the leader in AI chipsets.

Huawei, one of the largest technology companies in the world, is a fascinating example of innovation and controversy in the tech sector.

Founded in 1987, the company has evolved from a small telecom equipment supplier to a global giant in telecommunications and smartphones.

Its pioneering role in the development of 5G technology and its commitment to research and development are notable, highlighting its significant influence on technological advancement.

However, espionage allegations and subsequent restrictions imposed by various countries have created an environment of distrust and political tension. Huawei continues to face challenges related to security and privacy while seeking to increase transparency and strengthen its position in the global market.

Huawei’s trajectory illustrates not only the dynamism of the tech sector but also the complex interactions between technology, security, and international relations.