Huawei Technologies is experiencing a notable decline in consumer excitement for its recently launched Mate 70 smartphone series, a situation that could significantly impact the company's overall shipment numbers for the year. Analysts from brokerage firm Jefferies have reported that their analysis of online discussions and reviews following the Mate 70's launch indicates a "significantly lower excitement" compared to previous models. This waning enthusiasm comes at a critical time for Huawei, as it seeks to regain market share in the highly competitive smartphone sector, particularly against rivals like Apple and other domestic brands. The decline in consumer interest is particularly concerning given Huawei's recent efforts to revitalize its brand and product offerings.

The Mate 70 series, which includes several models such as the Mate 70, Mate 70 Pro, and Mate 70 RS, is touted by Huawei as its most powerful smartphone yet. However, analysts suggest that the enhancements over its predecessor, the Mate 60, are minimal. The Mate 60 was celebrated for showcasing Huawei's ability to produce advanced chips domestically after years of U.S. sanctions that severely restricted its access to critical technology. In contrast, the Mate 70's improvements appear less groundbreaking, leading to skepticism among consumers and analysts alike regarding its potential sales performance. Jefferies has revised its shipment forecast for Huawei down from an initial estimate of 48 million units for the year due to these concerns.

The lack of excitement surrounding the Mate 70 series is further compounded by disappointing sales figures from Huawei's earlier model, the Pura 70, which has only shipped about 5 million units since its launch in April. This figure falls short of expectations and raises questions about consumer demand for Huawei's products moving forward. The Mate 60 series had initially sparked a wave of patriotism and renewed interest in Huawei's capabilities; however, analysts now fear that this momentum may not carry over to the Mate 70. The cooling consumer sentiment reflects a broader trend where initial enthusiasm for Huawei's technological advancements has begun to fade.

Despite these challenges, there are indications that the Mate 70 series may still achieve some level of success in terms of sales volume, albeit potentially below that of the Mate 60. Analysts like Toby Zhu from Canalys have suggested that while consumer excitement may be waning, sufficient production capacity for flagship models could help bolster sales figures. Additionally, Huawei continues to leverage patriotic sentiments among Chinese consumers who support domestic technology firms in light of geopolitical tensions. As Huawei navigates this complex landscape, it remains to be seen how effectively it can adapt its strategies to reignite consumer interest and compete against formidable rivals in the premium smartphone market.