Huawei sells budget mobile phone arm Honor

Huawei is selling its budget mobile phone brand Honor to Shenzhen Zhixin New Information Technology, the company has announced.

Citing “tremendous pressure” in its commercial business owing to supply issues, it is offloading Honor’s assets in full, and will not retain any shares or management positions.

The phone brand, which launched in 2013 and now sells over 70 million units per year, was seen as Huawei’s foothold in the lucrative low-to-mid-end mobile phone market, attracting sales among younger demographics and, more importantly, in developing markets. 

In a statement, the Chinese tech giant said: “Huawei highly appreciates the continued dedication, attention, and support given by Honor's consumers, channel sellers, suppliers, partners, and employees.

“We hope this new Honor company will embark on a new road of honor with its shareholders, partners, and employees. We look forward to seeing Honor continue to create value for consumers and build a new intelligent world for young people.”

International Data Corporation recently reported that Huawei’s overall phone sales had dipped below Samsung’s, largely owing to the latter’s success with budget handsets. Those figures suggested Samsung had knocked Huawei from the top spot for the quarter. The data showed a dramatic fall in Huawei’s sales (see graph).

Huawei’s statement in full

Huawei's consumer business has been under tremendous pressure as of late. This has been due to a persistent unavailability of technical elements needed for our mobile phone business. Huawei Investment & Holding Co., Ltd. has thus decided to sell all of its Honor business assets to Shenzhen Zhixin New Information Technology Co., Ltd. This sale will help Honor's channel sellers and suppliers make it through this difficult time.

Once the sale is complete, Huawei will not hold any shares or be involved in any business management or decision-making activities in the new Honor company.

This move has been made by Honor's industry chain to ensure its own survival. Over 30 agents and dealers of the Honor brand first proposed this acquisition.

Since its creation in 2013, the Honor brand has focused on the youth market by offering phones in the low- to mid-end price range. During these past seven years, Honor has developed into a smartphone brand that ships over 70 million units annually.

Huawei highly appreciates the continued dedication, attention, and support given by Honor's consumers, channel sellers, suppliers, partners, and employees.

We hope this new Honor company will embark on a new road of honor with its shareholders, partners, and employees. We look forward to seeing Honor continue to create value for consumers and build a new intelligent world for young people.