Huawei and Xiaomi smartphones may be made available with U.S. carriers soon. The top Chinese phone makers are currently in talks with big U.S. wireless operators.
An unnamed source told Bloomberg that Huawei Technologies Co. and Xiaomi Corp. are currently negotiating with top U.S. carriers such as AT&T Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc. about selling and expanding their latest flagship phones to American consumers. Huawei is already selling their phones via Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, and other retailers. The phones, however, do not have a set carrier.
According to Digital Trends, this is not the first time Huawei has tried to enter the U.S. market. The Chinese smartphone manufacturer tried last year in 2016, but it was met with security concerns because of their devices' networking equipment. This security concern started from a 2012 congressional report that advised U.S. carriers to stay away from Huawei's phones because China might use them to "spy" on American citizens.
This is, however, Xiaomi Corporations' first try in getting inside U.S. smartphone market and, not to mention, challenging Apple in their home turf. Apple is currently the leading smartphone manufacturer in the country. But, with Huawei and Xiaomi coming into the American market, bringing cheaper but equally powerful devices with them, consumers may expect a drop in Apple's market share in 2018.
If a deal is made, it is possible that Huawei will bring their Mate 10 to the U.S. market to contend with Apple's iPhone X, while Xiaomi will be fighting with their Mi 6 phones. As far as specs are concerned, the Mate 10 and Mi 6 are far more advanced.
AT&T Inc., Verizon Communications Inc., and other major U.S. wireless carriers have yet to issue a statement regarding the news. It is also possible that there will not be any agreements made between the phone manufacturers and U.S. wireless operators.
