Week 21 in review: Huawei hit hard by USA-China trade war

This week politics spilled over into the world of technology quite suddenly and somewhat unexpectedly.

Last week the US put Chinese Huawei on a ban list and this week we felt the consequences as Google suspended Huawei's license to use Android. Google later revoked the ban for 90 days but that still doesn't give Huawei a real way of using its Android.

The issues get further complicated. A trade war encompasses a huge spectrum of businesses and the US has a huge network of partners. UK-based chip design giant ARM had to cut ties with Huawei, effectively ending the Chinese company's Kirin development.

The Honor 20 and Honor 20 Pro were made official but it later turned out that they didn't get Android certification and may not launch soon. Additionally, the Huawei Mate 20 Pro was pulled from the Android Q beta program.

Tough times for Huawei, which issued a few comments on the situation. Huawei said that the US is using the trade war to bully it and that it's working with Google to resolve the matter. Huawei has also issued a statement that it understands that partners, such as ARM, are caught up in the ugly situation.

Huawei is reportedly in talks with Aptoide to provide a replacement for the Google Play store and its services.

Moving outside the US-China drama. The Redmi K20 will come with a notch-less screen, a 7th-gen under-display fingerprint scanner, a triple camera and a 4,000mAh battery.

The Samsung Galaxy S10 series smartphones received a software update that has improved the results from Night mode photos. Speaking of photos, the Honor 20 Pro managed to tie the OnePlus 7 Pro for an overall score of 111 on DxOMark.

Meanwhile it was revealed that Samsung has readied its own 5x zoom camera that it will likely premiere in the Samsung Galaxy Note10 this fall.

Sony detailed its mobile plans, listing the markets it will be focusing on and those it will be leaving behind. The latter include Canada, India and Australia.

Those were the bigger stories of the week. See you in seven days!

ARM cuts ties with Huawei in a devastating blow

The ripple effect of the US-imposed ban on Huawei continues.

Huawei: the US is bullying us and we're working with Google to resolve the matter

However, Huawei doesn't blame Google.

US delays Huawei ban for 90 days, its Android license is temporarily back

The US Commerce Department will allow the company to purchase American-made goods until August.

Huawei reportedly in talks with Aptoide to find replacement for Google Play Store

Huawei’s situation puts the future of Huawei’s smartphone business at risk, but it is not going down without a fight.

Redmi K20 will come with a notch-less display and a 7th-gen UD fingerprint scanner

It's already confirmed to come with a 48MP primary camera, 960 FPS slow-mo video recording, and a 4,000 mAh battery.

Sony details its mobile plans, lists countries it's pulling out of

Contracting business across several regions.

Honor 20 and Honor 20 Pro go official with quad cams, flagship Kirin 980 chipset

The Honor 20 Pro main camera has the widest aperture of any phone - f/1.4. It lets in 60% more light than an f/1.8 aperture.

Oppo K3 brings full-screen display and SD710 for $230

The phone arrives with 6/64 GB memory or 8/128 GB variant that brings the price up to $275.

Samsung is ready with its own 5x optical zoom smartphone camera

Five times zoom from Samsung coming soon.

Redmi K20 shown off in an official image with gradient design and triple camera

It will be unveiled on May 28 with Snapdragon 855 SoC, 48MP primary camera, and a 4,000 mAh battery.

Honor 20 Pro gets 111 score in DxOMark test, matches the OnePlus 7 Pro

There are only two phones ahead of it - the Huawei P30 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S10 5G. 

United States pushes South Korea to ditch Huawei products

Local carrier LG Uplus should not be allowed to serve in sensitive areas, US State Official claims.

Huawei Mate 20 Pro pulled from the Android 10 Q beta program

It's not clear if it will be reinstated during the 90-day delay in the ban on Huawei trading with US companies.

Redmi K20 confirmed to have a 4,000 mAh battery

The good news about the next “flagship killer” keep coming.

Xiaomi Mi 9T certified, likely Pro version of Mi 9

Xiaomi's flagship line is getting a new top model.

Lenovo Z6 Youth Edition announced: Snapdragon 710 SoC and triple rear cam

The camera system at the back offers 8x hybrid zoom.

Samsung Galaxy S10 trio gets major camera update

Camera refinements and latest security update for the brand’s flagship line.