News
Huawei Surpasses Apple to be the Second Largest Smartphone Brand
According to the latest research from Counterpoint’s Market Pulse for July 2017, Huawei has surpassed Apple in global smartphone sales consistently for June and July. With August sales looking strong for the Chinese vendor, a hat-trick for Huawei could be on the cards.
Discussing this key competitive development, Counterpoint’s Research Director Peter Richardson, notes, “This is a significant milestone for Huawei, the largest Chinese smartphone brand with a growing global presence. It speaks volumes for this primarily network infrastructure vendor on how far it has grown in the consumer mobile handset space in the last three to four years. The global scale Huawei has been able to achieve can be attributed to its consistent investment in R&D and manufacturing, coupled with aggressive marketing and sales channel expansion.”
Mr. Richardson adds, “While this streak could be temporary considering the annual iPhone refresh is just around the corner, it nevertheless underscores the rate at which Huawei has been growing. However, a weak presence in the South Asian, Indian and North American markets limits Huawei’s potential in the near-to mid-term to take a sustainable second place position behind Samsung. Huawei is over-dependent on its home market China where it enjoys the leadership position and operator-centric markets in Europe, Latin America and Middle East.”
Talking about future prospects and other findings, Counterpoint’s Associate Director, Tarun Pathak, notes, “The growth of Chinese brands is an important trend which no player in the mobile ecosystem can ignore. Chinese brands with their dominant position in key markets such as China, Europe, Asia and Latin America have restricted the growth prospects for leading global brands such as Samsung and Apple. Chinese brands are growing swiftly thanks not only to smartphone design, manufacturing capability and rich feature sets, but also by out-smarting and out-spending rivals in sales channels, go-to-market and marketing promotion strategies.”
Pathak, adds, “Huawei, Oppo, Vivo and Xiaomi have successfully gained access to key supply chain partners, which has allowed them to launch designs with bezel-free, full displays, Augmented Reality, in-house chipsets and advanced camera features, that have kept them toe-to-toe with rivals. These players have become as equally important as Samsung or Apple to the global supply chain, application developers and distribution channels, as they continue to grow in scale more rapidly than the incumbent market share leaders.”
Commenting on the best-selling models in the month of July, Senior Analyst, Pavel Naiya highlighted, “Apple continued to drive its flagship momentum with iPhone 7 and 7 Plus; still the world’s best-selling models. OPPO has been one of the fastest growing brands globally thanks to the popularity of models including the flagship OPPO R11 and the mid-tier OPPO A57 that captured third and fourth spots respectively. These were followed by Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S8, Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X and Samsung Galaxy S8+. Apple’s 32GB refresh of the venerable iPhone 6 enabled it to regain momentum during the month, with popularity across prepaid markets to edge out Samsung’s Galaxy J7.
Naiya, added. “While Huawei climbed to be the world’s second largest brand overall, it is surprising to see none of its models breaking into the top ten rankings. This is due to a multiple SKU portfolio that currently lacks a true hero device. While having a diverse portfolio allows Huawei to fight on multiple fronts, it does little to build overall brand recognition; something Huawei badly needs if it is continue to gain share. While Huawei has trimmed its portfolio, it likely needs to further streamline its product range like Oppo and Xiaomi have done – putting more muscle behind fewer products.”

Gadgets
Huawei Intros New Mate XT in 512GB Storage Option

The HUAWEI Mate XT | ULTIMATE DESIGN has proven a hit among consumers since its launch in February in the UAE market. The phone first offered only the 1TB storage option, which allowed users a great deal of flexibility in storage. To make the smartphone more accessible to a wider market, Huawei has now introduced a 512GB version of the world’s first-ever commercial tri-fold phone with a much more accessible price point. Available on Huawei’s official online platforms and in select retail stores, the HUAWEI Mate XT | ULTIMATE DESIGN 512GB version is priced at AED 10,999 with free gifts worth AED 2898. It comes with a tablet-sized 10.2-inch screen that folds into the size of a regular smartphone.
For a tri-fold phone, the HUAWEI Mate XT is only slightly thicker than a regular phone when folded with the three folds stacked together. When fully unfolded, it becomes the thinnest foldable in the world, measuring just 3.6mm. It is a result of a slew of innovations, including the ultra-thin leather on the back, which adds a touch of subtle luxury. The HUAWEI Mate XT also introduces the 3K HUAWEI X-True Display. With its Multiview in One experience, it redefines what a smartphone display can do, supporting seamless transitions between single, dual, and triple-screen modes. This flexibility lets users enjoy an all-in-one device that is a smartphone, tablet, and even somewhat like a laptop.
The Mate XT features a 10-step adjustable physical aperture in its extremely thin and light body. The HUAWEI XMAGE camera system covers ultra-wide angles to 5.5x telephoto, making it easy to capture both close-up details and faraway subjects. The Ultra Speed Snapshot feature ensures fast-moving subjects are captured with stunning clarity.
What makes this tri-fold smartphone possible is the extremely advanced hinge system. Not only does it fold and unfold smoothly with effortless precision, but also manages to fold inward and outward while maintaining its slim profile. To ensure the durability of this complex folding mechanism, Huawei uses ultra-high strength steel that delivers reliable folding even under stress from continuous and frequent opening and closing. Now with the new 512GB option, Huawei is making its latest and greatest smartphone innovation more accessible than ever.
Gadgets
Samsung Launches Galaxy Tab S10 FE and S10 FE+

Samsung Gulf Electronics has expanded its tablet lineup with the launch of the Galaxy Tab S10 FE and Galaxy Tab S10 FE+, bringing premium features to more users in the region. Designed as accessible gateways to Samsung’s ecosystem, these new models combine immersive displays, enhanced performance, and AI-driven productivity tools in sleek, portable designs.
The Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ debuts with a 13.1-inch display, the largest ever in the FE series, featuring slimmer bezels for a more expansive viewing area. Both tablets boast a 90Hz refresh rate for fluid visuals and 800 nits HBM brightness, ensuring clarity even outdoors. Samsung’s Vision Booster technology dynamically adjusts screen settings for optimal visibility, while reduced blue light emission helps minimize eye strain during extended use.
Fadi Abu Shamat, Vice President and Head of the Mobile eXperience Division at Samsung Gulf Electronics, said: “With the new Galaxy Tab S10 FE Series, we’re bringing Samsung’s powerful Galaxy AI and connected ecosystem into the hands of even more users in the UAE, unlocking new levels of productivity, creativity and immersion. Designed with ultra-slim bezels, expansive displays and seamless integration, the Galaxy Tab S10 FE empowers users to work, create and connect in smarter and more meaningful ways.”
Under the hood, the Tab S10 FE series delivers upgraded performance for multitasking, gaming, and creative work. A refined 13MP rear camera captures sharp photos, while the tablets’ slimmer, lighter builds (over 4% lighter than predecessors) enhance on-the-go usability. Durability is a highlight too—both models carry an IP68 rating, matching the flagship Tab S10 series for dust and water resistance.
As the first FE tablets with built-in AI capabilities, the S10 FE series introduces tools to streamline work and creativity:
- Circle to Search: Instantly Google anything on-screen without leaving your app.
- Samsung Notes AI: Features like Solve Math and Handwriting Help simplify note-taking.
- Enhanced Photo Editing: Object Eraser, Best Face, and Auto Trim refine images and videos effortlessly.
- Galaxy AI Key: Dedicated keyboard button for quick AI assistant access.
Preloaded creative apps like LumaFusion, Goodnotes, and Clip Studio Paint further cater to artists and professionals. The tablets sync effortlessly with other Samsung devices, offering SmartThings controls and 3D Map View for smart home management. Security is fortified by Samsung Knox, providing defense-grade protection for sensitive data.
The Samsung Tab S10 FE series is available in various configurations with differing prices inclusive of VAT in AED. The Wi-Fi-only model with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage is priced at AED 1,849, while the 12GB RAM and 256GB storage variant costs AED 2,149. For the 5G-enabled versions, the 8GB/128GB model is priced at AED 2,199, and the 12GB/256GB configuration costs AED 2,499. The larger Tab S10 FE Plus (Wi-Fi) is priced at AED 2,449 for the 8GB/128GB version and AED 2,749 for the 12GB/256GB version. Finally, the 5G-equipped Tab S10 FE Plus models are priced at AED 2,799 for the 8GB/128GB option and reach AED 3,099 for the top-tier 12GB/256GB configuration.
Gadgets
CMF by Nothing Expands Portfolio with Phone 2 Pro and New Buds Lineup

CMF by Nothing has today expanded its product ecosystem with the launch of four new devices: the CMF Phone 2 Pro, CMF Buds 2 Plus, CMF Buds 2, and CMF Buds 2a. The company showcased its latest innovations in a launch event:
Headlining the announcement is the CMF Phone 2 Pro, positioned as the brand’s ultimate daily smartphone. The Phone 2 Pro stands out as Nothing’s slimmest and lightest smartphone yet, measuring a mere 7.8 mm thin and weighing only 185 g – 5% thinner than its predecessor, the CMF Phone 1. Its design features an elegant body with an aluminum camera surround, stainless steel screws, and an upgraded IP54 water resistance rating.
Available in four distinct colours – White, Black, Orange, and Light Green – the Phone 2 Pro offers a range of aesthetic choices. The Black and Light Green variants sport a glass-like back with a metallic frame, while the White version features a panelled sandstone finish, and the Orange option presents a bold metallic sheen. CMF emphasizes a “more sophisticated quality” in this generation’s design.
Photography enthusiasts will appreciate the advanced four-camera system, headlined by a 50 MP main camera with a larger sensor capturing 64% more light than the CMF Phone 1. Notably, the device includes a powerful telephoto lens with 6 stacked lenses and 20x digital zoom, a feature CMF claims is unique in its segment. An 8 MP ultra-wide camera and a 16 MP front camera complete the setup.
Powering the CMF Phone 2 Pro is the newly upgraded MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro 5G processor, featuring an 8-core CPU with speeds up to 2.5 GHz. CMF claims a 10% quicker processing and a 5% improvement in graphics compared to the previous model, thanks to the state-of-the-art TSMC 4 nm process technology. The device also packs a 5000 mAh battery, offering nearly an hour more battery life than the Phone 1.
The CMF Phone 2 Pro features a 6.77″ FHD+ flexible AMOLED display, capable of displaying a stunning 1.07 billion colours – significantly more than its predecessor. HDR photography is enhanced, and Ultra HDR captures boost highlight brightness up to 8 times, achieving a peak brightness of 3000 nits. A 1000 Hz touch sampling rate and a 120 Hz adaptive refresh rate promise a smooth and responsive user experience.
Continuing the modularity of the CMF line, the Phone 2 Pro supports three new accessories: a Universal Cover, Interchangeable Lenses (Fisheye and Macro), and a Wallet/Stand. A significant upgrade is the inclusion of NFC for contactless payments. Alongside the smartphone, CMF introduced a trio of new wireless earbuds catering to various needs and budgets under the CMF Buds lineup for 2025.
The CMF Buds 2 Plus are designed for users seeking a premium audio experience, featuring Hi-Res LDAC support, hearing compensation, and full EQ customization. The CMF Buds 2 offer a versatile everyday audio solution, balancing sound, comfort, and smart features. They come equipped with Dirac Opteo tuning, 48dB hybrid ANC, and a Spatial Audio Effect.
The CMF Buds 2a serve as the entry-level option, focusing on delivering clear, high-quality audio in a lightweight design. Key features include 42dB ANC, a 12.4 mm bio-fibre driver, and deep bass.
Pricing and Availability:
The CMF Phone 2 Pro is available in two configurations:
8 + 128GB: £219
8 + 256GB: £249
CMF Phone 2 Pro accessories are exclusively available at nothing.tech in the EU and UK (limited quantities):
Universal Cover: £25
Interchangeable Lenses (Fisheye and Macro): £35
Wallet/Stand: £35
Bundle 1 (Cover + Wallet/Stand or Lenses): £45
Bundle 2 (Cover + Wallet/Stand + Lenses): £65
The CMF Buds are priced as follows:
CMF Buds 2 Plus: £49
CMF Buds 2: £39
CMF Buds 2a: £29
The pricing and distribution may vary depending on the region.