Huawei is releasing a faster phone to compete with Apple. Here's why the U.S. is worried.
CBSN
Huawei's latest phone, the Mate 60 Pro, is generating buzz among tech aficionados in China. But in the U.S. the new device is spurring concern, along with an investigation by the U.S. Department of Commerce.
At issue for American officials is the technology inside the Huawei phone, which reportedly includes an advanced 7-nanometer processor made by SMIC, China's top chipmaker, according to Capital Economics. With that chip, the phone has enough power and speed to rival Apple's iPhone, and it has been selling briskly in China.
That is raising questions about the effectiveness of U.S. export controls, which have been aimed at curbing Huawei's ability to acquire cutting-edge components like advanced processors. Until now, those restrictions had effectively crippled Huawei's smartphone business.