Huawei smartphone sales have dropped in the capital’s retail shops for more than a week following Google’s decision to cut off its business ties with the Chinese tech giant. Heng Chivoan
Huawei smartphone sales at retail shops in Phnom Penh have been in the red for more than a week following Google’s decision to cut off its business ties with the Chinese tech giant.
Nop Manet, a stock manager at Seav Lin phone shop, said Huawei smartphone sales at her shop had gradually fallen, especially high-end devices.
“Sales are currently dropping because people are worried that the phone will be unable to update apps,” she said, noting that as time went by, a higher number of Huawei customers are selling off their smartphones.
US President Donald Trump recently banned US companies in the telecom sector from doing business and sharing technology, services and components with Chinese tech giant Huawei, alleging that the company is threatening US security.
An owner at a Phsar Depot Market phone shop, who asked not to be named, expressed concern that the move could impact his business. He said Huawei phone sales have been very quiet for a while and supply from distributors have also fallen.
“The news of US companies’ termination of relations may be the main reason. It’s forcing Huawei’s customers to turn to other companies’ products instead,” he said.
Although Google has announced that certain apps will remain available for Huawei phones currently in the market, customer confidence remains unstable.
“Most of Huawei’s consumers remain concerned that various apps will become unavailable, but I think that there will be no problems with the products that have already been released,” he said.
The ban means that Huawei’s next-generation phones will no longer be able to use Android, as well as other Google apps such as Gmail and Play Store.
Dara, who owns a phone shop at Khlaing Romsev Market, said many of his customers this week were looking to sell their phones.
“Because I have a lot [of Huawei phones currently] in stock, I now have to cut on buying more until I can get rid of some,” he said.
Japanese companies such as Panasonic and SoftBank have also joined the US, announcing that they will no longer cooperate with Huawei.
However, the manager of a Nika Phone Shop in Phnom Penh said all Huawei phone models were selling well at his shop.
“Huawei phone sales at my shop are still as good as usual,” he said.
