Is Huawei's Cangjie The Future? My 2025 Dev Overview
Is Huawei still a viable choice in 2025? We dive deep into their phones, HarmonyOS, and the impact of the US ban to see if their amazing hardware is worth it.
David Chen
A seasoned tech journalist with over a decade of experience reviewing mobile devices.
Remember the buzz around the Huawei P30 Pro? It felt like a watershed moment. A phone that could practically see in the dark, with a zoom lens that felt like something out of a spy movie. For a moment, Huawei wasn't just a competitor to Apple and Samsung; in many ways, it was leading the pack. Then, almost overnight, the conversation changed. The US trade ban hit, and the question shifted from “What can Huawei do next?” to “Can Huawei even survive?”
Fast forward to today, and the dust has settled, but the landscape is permanently altered. Google Mobile Services (GMS) are still absent from new Huawei devices, and 5G connectivity is a ghost on their global spec sheets. Yet, Huawei is still here, releasing beautifully engineered phones, watches, and laptops.
This begs the question that many people are quietly asking: In 2025, is a Huawei device still worth considering? Let's dive in.
A Quick Rewind: The Rise and The Stumble
It’s impossible to talk about Huawei today without acknowledging its past. From its roots in telecommunications infrastructure, Huawei exploded onto the consumer electronics scene. They mastered the art of building premium hardware, often at a more competitive price than their rivals. Their partnership with Leica turned their P-series and Mate-series phones into mobile photography powerhouses, forcing the entire industry to step up its game.
Then came May 2019. The US government placed Huawei on its “Entity List,” effectively barring American companies from doing business with them. The most immediate and devastating blow was the loss of Google. No more Google Maps, no Gmail, no YouTube, and most critically, no Google Play Store on any new devices. It also cut off their access to US-designed chip technology, which is why their global phone releases today lack 5G capabilities.
Life Without Google: The HarmonyOS Reality
Faced with an existential threat, Huawei did the only thing it could: it built its own lifeboat. That lifeboat is HarmonyOS. While initially based on Android's open-source core, Huawei has been steadily developing it into its own distinct platform. It’s not just a phone OS; it's a unified ecosystem designed to seamlessly connect everything from your phone and watch to your tablet and laptop.
But the billion-dollar question remains: what about the apps?
AppGallery and the Workarounds
Huawei's primary solution is the AppGallery. It has grown impressively over the years and hosts many major local and international apps. You'll find banking apps, social media like TikTok and Telegram, and various games and utilities. However, the giants of the Google-verse are conspicuously absent.
To bridge this gap, Huawei has a few tricks up its sleeve:
- Petal Search: This is a powerful search tool that can find and install APKs (the installation files for Android apps) from trusted third-party sites.
- GBox/Gspace: These are third-party apps that create a virtualized environment on your phone, allowing you to sign in to a Google account and run apps like Google Maps, YouTube, and Gmail.
Does it work? Yes, mostly. But it's not a perfect substitute. Notifications can be delayed, some apps might be buggy, and there’s an undeniable layer of friction compared to a native experience. It’s a solution for a determined user, not a seamless experience for a casual one.
The Hardware: Still World-Class?
This is where the argument for Huawei gets compelling again. Despite the software and connectivity limitations, their hardware engineering remains absolutely top-tier.
Smartphones: Pura, Mate, and Foldables
Huawei's flagship phones, like the Pura series (the successor to the P-series) and the Mate series, continue to push boundaries. You can expect:
- Stunning Cameras: They still pack some of the most advanced camera systems on any smartphone, with incredible sensors, variable aperture lenses, and powerful telephoto capabilities. If your number one priority is photography, Huawei is still in the conversation.
- Premium Build Quality: From vegan leather backs to durable “Kunlun” glass, these devices feel every bit as premium as an iPhone or a top-end Samsung Galaxy.
- Innovative Designs: Huawei is a leader in the foldable space, often producing thinner and lighter designs than its competitors.
But the two major caveats are always there: no native Google apps and, crucially for a flagship in 2025, no 5G on global models. 4G is perfectly fine for most tasks, but for the price of a flagship, the lack of future-proof connectivity is a tough pill to swallow.
Beyond Phones: Watches, Laptops, and Audio
Perhaps the smartest buy from Huawei today isn't a phone at all. Their other product categories are far less affected by the ban and are fiercely competitive.
- Wearables: The Huawei Watch GT series offers incredible battery life (often lasting weeks, not days), premium designs, and comprehensive health tracking that rivals the best from Apple and Samsung.
- Laptops: The MateBook line is consistently praised for its excellent screens, sleek designs, and innovative features like the pop-up webcam and Huawei Share for easy file transfers with other Huawei devices.
- Audio: The FreeBuds series provides high-quality sound and effective noise cancellation, often at a very competitive price point.
The Verdict: Who Is Huawei For in 2025?
So, we come back to our original question. Is Huawei worth it? The answer is a resounding “it depends.” Huawei is no longer a one-size-fits-all brand. It's for a specific type of user.
A Huawei phone might be for you if:
- You are a mobile photography enthusiast who prioritizes camera hardware above all else.
- You are a tech-savvy user who doesn't mind tinkering with workarounds to get the apps you need.
- You are already invested in or planning to build a Huawei ecosystem with their excellent watches, laptops, and earbuds.
- You are actively trying to de-Google your digital life and are willing to embrace an alternative ecosystem.
You should probably look elsewhere if:
- You rely heavily on native Google apps like Maps for navigation, Google Pay for payments, or Google Photos for backups.
- You want the simplest, most seamless “out-of-the-box” software experience.
- Having 5G connectivity is a must-have for you.
Huawei’s story is a fascinating tale of innovation, adversity, and resilience. They still build some of the most beautiful and capable hardware on the planet. But the software and connectivity compromises are real and significant. They are no longer the default choice for the average Android user, but have instead become a compelling, if complicated, choice for the discerning niche. The titan hasn't fallen, but it now walks a very different path.