Huawei Defies Memory Price Surge with Budget Phone Launch, Completes Full Product Line Return in 2026
Huawei Technologies launched its affordable Enjoy 90 smartphone series starting at 1,299 yuan (US$180) in its spring flagship event, defying a global memory chip price rally and completing a full-spectrum comeback across high-end to entry-level smartphone segments. The move strengthens its market leadership as China’s top smartphone vendor and accelerates the mass adoption of its self-developed Kirin chips and HarmonyOS 6 system.
The launch arrives as global DRAM and NAND flash prices remain elevated, with DRAM costs jumping 83% since September 2025, lifting handset component expenses by 20 to 30 percentage points. Rival brands including OPPO and vivo have lifted mid-range and entry-level model prices by 200 to 500 yuan since March, fueling fears of a shrinking sub‑2,000 yuan market. Huawei’s aggressive pricing strategy demonstrates its supply chain resilience and technical cost advantages.
Unveils Memory Technology to Ease Cost Pressures
Huawei debuted its proprietary HyperSpace Memory technology on the Mate 80 Pro Max Wind Edition to counter rising memory costs without passing higher prices to consumers. The innovation improves memory compression efficiency by 69% and app retention by 100%, delivering a 20GB equivalent experience on 16GB RAM devices, effectively reducing hardware expenses by 500 yuan for users. The technology will be rolled out across the Mate 80 series via OTA updates.
Priced at 8,499 yuan (US$1,179) for the 16GB+512GB variant and 9,499 yuan (US$1,319) for 16GB+1TB, the premium flagship features enhanced active cooling and sustained high-performance gaming. Powered by the Kirin 9030 Pro chip and HarmonyOS 6, the device maintains premium durability ratings while prioritizing processing and gaming performance.
Expands Entry‑Level Lineup with Kirin and Wi‑Fi 7
The Enjoy 90 series marks Huawei’s first budget range equipped with Kirin chips and Wi‑Fi 7. The lineup includes the base Enjoy 90 at 1,299 yuan, the Enjoy 90 Plus at 1,499 yuan, and the Enjoy 90 Pro Max at 1,699 yuan. The top variant carries an 8500mAh silicon‑carbon battery, supporting long‑lasting video playback and improved energy efficiency, alongside 5G connectivity and AI anti‑fraud functions.
All models ship with HarmonyOS 6 and an industry‑leading after‑sales package, including a two‑year warranty and extended protection coverage. With government subsidies, the Pro Max can be acquired for as low as 1,444 yuan (US$201), undercutting competitors while offering premium chip and connectivity features. Huawei also confirmed all future smartphones will include Wi‑Fi 7, bringing next‑gen wireless tech to mass markets.
Boosts Ecosystem Momentum with HarmonyOS Growth
HarmonyOS continued its rapid expansion, with over 50 million devices running HarmonyOS 5 and 6 as of March 22, 2026, adding more than 150,000 new devices daily. The platform supports over 350,000 apps and services and has seen a 20‑point rise in user NPS. Deep integration between Kirin chips and HarmonyOS lifts system efficiency by 38% in the Enjoy 90 series, enabling stable high‑frame‑rate gaming for extended periods.
Huawei’s full product restoration positions it to extend its market dominance after securing China’s smartphone sales title in 2025 with 17% share. Analysts project its domestic penetration to exceed 20% in 2026, as vertical integration and ecosystem strength reshape competition away from pure hardware specs toward systemic technological advantage.
Related Coverage:
Huawei's Next Foldable Phone Reportedly Features New 5G Kirin Chip
Huawei Debuts High-End Tri-Fold Phone With New Kirin 9020 Chip