BEIJING (Reuters) - On Thursday, Chinese technology corporation Huawei Technologies announced plans to host a media gathering on September 25th to present new products, prompting predictions that information about its recently launched smartphones will be unveiled. Huawei's newest release, the Mate 60 series, is receiving considerable attention. It is noteworthy both for its usage of an advanced chip made in China and because the series is possibly Huawei's most significant effort yet to reignite its smartphone business after having been severely affected by American sanctions.

Huawei did not provide further details about the new products to be discussedon the event. However, China's domestic business newspaper, Yicai, reported that the unveiling of its newest phones is expected. Huawei began sales of its most recent top-tier smartphones, the Mate 60 and Mate 60 Pro at the end of the previous month. Just last week, it initiated presales for its state-of-the-art Mate 60 Pro+ smartphone, in addition to its new foldable phone, the Mate X5.

This series' release was not preceded by a typically flashy, promotional event, which makes the launch of the Mate 60 series a striking contrast from previous practices. Despite this, the phones have garnered significant attention. This heightened awareness coincided with US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo's visit to China. Intrigue also grew from the discovery that the Pro version is equipped with a 5G-capable chip manufactured by a Chinese company.

The performance of Huawei's smartphones, particularly against Apple during a time of escalating US-China tensions, will be of significant interest to investors, business analysts, and observers of Chinese society. The unveiling of Apple's iPhone 15 series this week elicited mixed reactions in China, Apple's third-largest market. Many online users have expressed appreciation for its faster processor and enhanced gaming functions, while others have displayed a preference for Huawei's recent smartphone output.

Further diminishing Apple's allure in China, the Chinese government has amplified restrictions on the use of iPhones by public sector employees, with some being advised not to use them during work hours. The state-endorsed publication Securities Times reported this week that due to higher-than-expected sales, Huawei had increased its Mate 60 series second-half delivery target by 20%.

Huawei, previously the world's premier smartphone manufacturer, found this portion of its business drastically reduced after the US began imposing tech export limitations on the company in 2019. The US and various Western governments have tagged Huawei as a security threat, a claim that Huawei fervently denies. Since the initiation of these sanctions, Huawei has only been able to sell limited quantities of 5G models, relying on a stockpile of chips.