PRESS: Huawei launches new phone in Russia without Google apps

MOSCOW, Nov 25 (PRIME) -- Chinese telecom giant Huawei started sales of its flagship smartphone Mate 30 Pro in a limited release in Russia on Monday, and the device does not support Google services, business daily Kommersant reported, citing several sources.

The limited supply will allow Russians to get used to a new mobile platform as the device runs on Android 10, but does not support services or an application store of Google.

The Mate 30 Pro costs 40,000–50,000 rubles and is available only on a preliminary order in the manufacturer’s official store.

A Huawei spokesperson did not comment on the start of sales of the smartphone, but confirmed that the company actively expands the mobile ecosystem in Russia.

Huawei started working hard on its own operating system HarmonyOS and the mobile platform after U.S. President Donald Trump had signed a decree to block purchase of equipment threatening national security.

The Chinese company was blacklisted, which turned Google away from partnership. However, on November 18, the U.S. Department of Commerce prolonged for the second time by 90 days a permit to local companies to work with Huawei.

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