Smartphones lift Huawei in Q3

london — Huawei Technologies’ third-quarter revenue jumped 27 per cent, driven by a surge in shipments of smartphones launched before a trade blacklisting by the US expected to hammer its business.

Its newest Mate 30 smartphone — which lacks access to a licenced version of Google’s Android operating system — started sales last month.

The tech giant did not break down third-quarter figures but said on Wednesday revenue for the first three quarters of the year grew 24.4 per cent to 610.8 billion yuan. Revenue in the quarter ended September 30 rose to 165.29 billion yuan ($23.28 billion) according to Reuters calculations based on previous statements from Huawei.

“Huawei’s overseas shipments bounced back quickly in the third quarter although they are yet to return to pre-US ban levels,” said Nicole Peng, vice president for mobility at consultancy Canalys. “The Q3 result is truly impressive given the tremendous pressure the company is facing. But it is worth noting that strong shipments were driven by devices launched pre-US ban, and the long-term outlook is still dim.”

The company said it has shipped 185 million smartphones so far this year. Based on the company’s previous statements and estimates from market research firm Strategy Analytics, that indicates a 29 per cent surge in third-quarter smartphone shipments.

Still, growth in the third quarter slowed from the 39 per cent increase the company reported in the first quarter.

Huawei did not break out figures for the second quarter either, but has said revenue rose 23.2 per cent in the first half of the year. —