Huawei, Vivo compete to become 'assistant' for iPhone

Application helps AirDrop files from Oppo to iPhone. Photo: Oppo .

Recently, Chinese manufacturers have been racing to launch connectivity, compatibility with iPhone and the Apple ecosystem. On October 23, Huawei announced HarmonyOS 6, the software version that will be used and updated for most of its phones next year. In addition to new functions, the ability to transfer files directly via peer-to-peer networks (similar to AirDrop) for iPhone is a feature that attracts attention.

In the domestic Chinese market, Huawei is considered a rival to Apple in the expensive segment. The launch of the above tool shows that the "wall" has finally collapsed, when all the largest smartphone companies in China have switched to befriending Apple instead of confronting it.

Make friends with Apple

The iOS-like user interface is no longer a strange thing for Chinese mobile companies. Most of the functions that can be copied from competitors are quickly brought to their phones by Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo. In addition to imitating the best, reducing the effort of product research, this helps attract customers, bringing the same experience as iPhone at a cheaper price.

However, copying is not enough for manufacturers from the billion-people country. Recently, these companies have also sought to bring their phones into the Apple ecosystem.

A trendy feature that Vivo, Oppo, and Xiaomi have been actively promoting recently on their operating systems is the ability to connect to iPhones and transfer files directly. Oppo launched the O+ Connect app, allowing photos and files to be transferred back and forth via peer-to-peer Wi-Fi, similar to AirDrop with Apple phones. Later, the company also introduced a similar tool with MacOS, adding the ability to use Oppo smartphones to remotely control Apple computers.

Apple Watch connects and receives notifications from Vivo phone. Photo: Vivo.

EasyShare from Vivo also has a similar function. Users just need to place the phone of this company next to the iPhone, close contact NFC will automatically activate Pop-up to transfer files, photos. The company also continuously expands the tool on OriginOS 6, allowing to connect AirPods, Apple Watch to Vivo phones, listen to iPhone calls on this company's smartphone when nearby.

Xiaomi is behind its competitors, having recently launched the Connectivity feature with iOS and MacOS. This software suite is even more complicated as it forces users to log in and sync with the same account to perform operations. Most recently, Honor and Huawei have also integrated similar solutions into their domestic MagicOS and HarmonyOS. The solution may soon be available in the upcoming international version.

Thus, the 5 largest Chinese Android phone companies, along with their sub-brands such as OnePlus, IQOO... all deeply integrate the ability to work and interact with iPhone and the Apple ecosystem into their products.

'If we don't win, we'll draw'

According to Observer , China's leading technology site, the trend reflects the new goals of the country's phone companies. After many years of fierce competition with Apple, they still cannot surpass the bitten Apple in the high-end segment. Instead of convincing customers to switch from iPhone to Vivo, Oppo, Xiaomi, these companies want to turn themselves into "secondary devices", the second choice next to the main device from the bitten Apple.

The new approach aims to address market saturation, as the number of first-time buyers or device replacements gradually declines. Meanwhile, the demand for second smartphone purchases increases.

Advertisement for Oppo's O+ Connect tool. Photo: Oppo.

Solutions like O+ Connect or EasyShare reduce the barrier when customers hesitate to choose a phone. They do not need to change their usage habits when they still have an iPhone. At the same time, Android devices are cheaper, have open operating systems and are easily compatible with available user accessories. From this step, new experiences with Vivo, Oppo, Xiaomi can attract a complete switch to the new system.

In Vietnam, Oppo also launched many advertising campaigns to promote the compatibility of its phone lines with iPhone, calling Apple phones "brothers".

Meanwhile, famous reviewer Marques Brownlee believes that copying or trying to join a competitor's system is a must when the market has divided boundaries. This expert's point of view is that manufacturers like Apple always try to "imprison" users in exclusive functions. This is to reduce the desire to escape and try other products of competitors.

So, having the Google Pixel also able to text iMessage or compatible with MagSafe accessories is a way to reduce the barrier customers have to overcome to change phones.

Source: https://znews.vn/huawei-vivo-canh-tranh-de-lam-tro-thu-cho-iphone-post1596391.html