Huawei vs Xiaomi: Why One Doesn't Have Google and Another Has a Complete Sanctions and Consequences

It’s hard to find a user who hasn’t wondered why Huawei was stripped of Google’s services while Xiaomi, Oppo and other Chinese brands continue to operate with the American ecosystem without restrictions. Both manufacturers are global players from China, but their fates diverged radically after 2019. In this article, we’ll examine the political, technical and economic causes of this inequality, and analyze how it affects the end user.

Many people mistakenly believe that Google Mobile Services is banned (GMS) For Huawei, it’s a purely technical solution, in fact the result of a decades-long trade war between the US and China, where smartphones have become a tool of pressure. While Xiaomi has managed to stay in the shadows, Huawei has been in the middle of sanctions because of its strategic importance to Beijing?

Next, we’ll compare the legal basis for sanctions, analyze alternative ecosystems (like Huawei Mobile Services), assess the risks to users, and predict whether Xiaomi could ever replicate Huawei’s fate.

1. US Sanctions Against Huawei: Chronology and Causes

It all started in May 2019, when the Trump administration placed Huawei on the so-called “Entity List,” a list of companies that U.S. businesses cannot do business with without special permission, with accusations of espionage for China and violating sanctions against Iran being formalized, but the real motives were broader:

Huawei has become the leader in the number of patents for technology. 5G, And second, the brand was actively cooperating with Chinese government agencies, which in Washington was considered a national security risk, and finally, Huawei was too successful: In 2019, it overtook Apple in smartphone sales, becoming the second in the world after Samsung.

The first consequence was the loss of access to Google Mobile Services (GMS). This meant that new Huawei models (starting with the Mate 30 and the new Huawei models) P40) could not pre-set:

• 📱 Google Play Store and other Google apps;
• 🔍 Google Search as the default search engine;
• 🗺️ Google Maps, YouTube, Gmail;
• 🔄 Automatic security updates via Google Play Services.

However, older devices (released before May 2019) continued to receive updates — but only until Huawei was deprived of the ability to use chips made in the US (for example, from Qualcomm or Broadcom), which forced the company to develop its own Kirin processors and the HarmonyOS operating system.

⚠️ WARNING: If you’re buying a 2020 Huawei or newer, make sure the model officially supports the model. GMS (Otherwise, you'll have to install Google services manually, which can cause security and stability issues.

Why Xiaomi avoided sanctions: 5 key differences

Huawei’s Xiaomi looks like a real lucky guy, with its smartphones still coming with Google Play, security updates and a full suite of services. Why so?

1. Lack of ties to the Chinese government: Unlike Huawei, which was founded by a former officer of the People’s Liberation Army of China, Xiaomi is positioned as a private company with international management, its headquarters even registered in Hong Kong, a special administrative region with different laws.

2.Huawei has actively tried to conquer the American market (for example, through a partnership with the US). AT&Xiaomi has focused on Asia, Europe and India, without claiming leadership in the US.

3 No critical technology.Huawei was the leader in 5G, Semiconductors and telecommunications equipment, areas that the US considers strategic, Xiaomi is known as a manufacturer of smart gadgets and budget smartphones, but not infrastructure solutions.

4.Transparency for regulators: After being briefly blacklisted in January 2021 (under Trump), Xiaomi successfully challenged the decision in court, proving that it had no ties to the Chinese military.

5. Flexible localization policy: Xiaomi is actively adapting to the requirements of different markets: for example, in India, it localizes production, and in Europe cooperates with local operators, Huawei has long been betting on global standardization.

But that doesn’t mean Xiaomi is completely safe: In 2020, the Pentagon listed it as a company “affiliated with the People’s Liberation Army of China,” but without consequences, and in 2023, Xiaomi voluntarily restricted some technology exports to Russia due to sanctions, so as not to repeat the fate of Huawei.

3. Google Alternatives to Huawei: What it Offers HMS HarmonyOS

After deprivation GMS Huawei has been forced to develop its own ecosystem – Huawei Mobile Services (HMS). It's a set of services designed to replace Google Play, Maps and other apps?

Main components HMS:

• 📲 AppGallery is an alternative to the Google Play Store (more than 5 million apps, but many popular services are missing);
• 🗺️ Petal Maps – Data Maps from TomTom and other partners;
• 🔍 Petal Search – A search engine that aggregates results from Bing, Yandex, and others.;
• 💳 Huawei Pay is a payment system (not available in all countries).

The key problem HMS — There are no key apps, for example, there are no official versions of AppGallery:

• 📺 Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video;
• 💬 WhatsApp, Signal (available only via workarounds);
• 🎮 Fortnite, PUBG Mobile and other popular games.

To compensate for this, Huawei offers:

1. Installation APK-manual files (virus risk!);
2. Using Phone Clone to transfer apps from an old phone
3. Cooperation with third-party stores (for example, Aptoide or APKMirror).

Since 2021, Huawei has also been actively promoting HarmonyOS, its operating system designed to replace Android. However, this is not a full-fledged alternative: HarmonyOS still uses the Android Open Source Project kernel (AOSP), But with its own interface and ecosystem.

⚠️ Note: Installing Google Mobile Services on new Huawei smartphones (e.g. Mate 50 or Huawei) P60) Through unofficial methods (such as LZPlay or GSpace) violates Google’s license agreement, which can lead to account blocking or service problems.

4.Consequences for Users: What Huawei Owners Are Losing

If you buy a Huawei smartphone without GMS, Be prepared for the following restrictions:

1. App problems. Even if you install Google Play manually, many apps (such as banking or government) may not work due to the lack of Google Play Services.

• 🏦 Mobile Banks (Sberbank Online, Tinkoff);
• 🚗 Applications for car sharing (Yandex Go, DeliMobile);
• 📄 Public services and electronic signatures.

2. Lack of security updates. No GMS The smartphone doesn't receive critical patches from Google, making it vulnerable to hacking attacks.Huawei releases its updates, but with delays (sometimes months in the making).

Limited functionality, for example:

• 📍 Google Maps doesn’t update maps in the background;
• 🎵 YouTube Music does not cache tracks for offline listening;
• 📈 Some fitness trackers are not synced with Google Fit.

4.Difficulties with sales and repairs.In the secondary market, Huawei smartphones without GMS In addition, service centers outside China often refuse to repair such devices because of spare parts problems (especially after sanctions against chips).

On the other hand, Huawei has advantages:

• 🔋 Longer battery life (due to HarmonyOS optimization);
• 📸 Best cameras in premium models (for example, P60 Pro);
• 🛡️ Less Google surveillance (if that’s the case for you).

5. Xiaomi under threat? could sanctions hit other brands

After the Huawei story, many Xiaomi users worry that the brand will repeat the fate of a competitor, but the risks are minimal.

1. Xiaomi is not a “national champion.” Unlike Huawei, which China has actively promoted as a flagship of technological sovereignty, Xiaomi is a commercial company without direct state support.

2.No conflicts with the United States. Huawei sued the U.S. authorities, refused to comply with regulators and openly criticized sanctions. Xiaomi is more diplomatic, for example, in 2023, it suspended shipments to Russia after the introduction of new restrictions.

3. Manufacturing diversification: Xiaomi is building smartphones not only in China, but also in India, Indonesia, Brazil, and even Europe, reducing dependence on the Chinese supply chain, one of the key arguments for sanctions.

4.Short of critical technologies: Xiaomi does not develop its own processors (unlike Huawei Kirin) and does not engage in telecommunications equipment. Its main business is consumer electronics, which does not pose a threat to US security.

However, in 2026, Xiaomi came under investigation by the US Securities Commission (SEC) If the allegations are confirmed, it could lead to further sanctions, and the risks are minimal so far, but the situation requires monitoring.

Other Chinese brands at risk:

• 📱 Oppo/Realme/OnePlus — belong BBK Electronics, which also avoids conflicts with the US;
• 📱 ZTE — It was already under sanctions in 2018, but was able to agree on the agreement;
• 📱 Transsion (Tecno, Infinix) – focuses on Africa, so it is not interesting to Washington.

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If you’re worried about Xiaomi’s future, go for models with Qualcomm Snapdragon processors (like Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Redmi). K60 In the case of sanctions, such smartphones are easier to reflash on custom firmware with GMS, than devices on MediaTek.

6.How to Choose Between Huawei and Xiaomi in 2026: Buyer's Checklist

If you are faced with a choice between Huawei and Xiaomi, answer these questions:

1.Do you need full access to Google services?

• ✅ If yes, choose Xiaomi or older Huawei models (until May 2019).
• ❌ If not, you can consider new Huawei, but be prepared for restrictions.

2.What applications are critical to you?

3. Where do you live?

• 🌍 In Europe/Asia: Huawei offers the best cameras and designs, but with limitations.
• 🇺🇸 Huawei is not officially for sale in the US, Xiaomi is limited.
• 🇷🇺 Both brands are available in Russia, but Huawei may have issues with updates.

4.Do you care about long-term support?

• 🔄 Xiaomi promises 4 years of updates for flagships (e.g. Xiaomi 14).
• ⏳ Huawei updates firmware less frequently, and security patches come with a delay.

5. Budget.

• 💰 Xiaomi offers the best price/quality ratio in the budget segment (Redmi Note 13, POCO X6).
• 💎 Huawei is stronger in the premium segment (for example, the Mate 60 Pro with a Kirin processor). 9000S).

If you’re still in doubt, here’s a quick comparison of the 2026 flagships:

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If you want Google services without restrictions, Xiaomi is the clear choice, but if the priority is the camera, design and autonomy, and you are willing to put up with the lack of a single service. GMS, Huawei could be an interesting option.

7. Forecasts for the future: what awaits Huawei and Xiaomi

For Huawei:

• 📉 Global market share decline (except for China).
• 🔧 HarmonyOS as a Fully-fledged Alternative to Android.
• 🤝 Partnering with local developers to replenish AppGallery.
• 🚀 Focus on the premium segment and innovation (folding smartphones, new materials).

For Xiaomi:

• 📈 Growth in the markets of India, Europe and Latin America.
• 🤖 Development of the HyperOS ecosystem (new firmware based on Android).
• 🔋 Emphasis on budget and medium-budget devices with long-term support.
• ⚖️ Possible problems with SEC, but unlikely sanctions.

General trends:

• 🌍 Strengthening localization of production (India, Vietnam, Mexico).
• 🔒 Tightening of data security requirements (especially in the EU and the US).
• 📱 The growth of the popularity of folding smartphones (Huawei – Mate) X5, Xiaomi — MIX Fold 4).

V 2026–2026 In the years ahead, Huawei is expected to switch to its own chips and OS, and Xiaomi will strengthen its position in the top-3 But geopolitical risks remain: if the US-China conflict escalates, new sanctions could affect other brands.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Huawei, Xiaomi and sanctions