Huawei P50 may not launch until June

pro
(Image credit: TechRadar)

It looks like we’ll be waiting a little longer for the arrival of Huawei’s next flagship 5G phone, the Huawei P50.

Having recently reported on an OS-related delay which saw the P50’s release date pushed back until May (after rumors suggested initial plans to launch the phone in March), it now seems more likely to arrive in June.

According to PhoneArena, supply chain issues related to US export restrictions on Chinese manufacturers are thought to be the cause of this latest delay. In 2019, Huawei was placed on a US government blacklist which banned the company from accessing US-based suppliers. Although these export rules were eased in 2020, lengthy licensing and shipping processes continue to hinder the company’s production line. 

Typically, new models in Huawei’s P series launch between March and April, and usually arrive prior to the release of an updated Huawei Mate lineup later in the year. In 2021, we’re expecting the arrival of the Huawei P50, P50 Pro and P50 Pro Plus, following the release of the impressive P40, P40 Pro and P40 Pro Plus in 2020.

You can find all the latest rumors and information surrounding these upcoming devices – including their expected chipsets, camera setups and displays – in our Huawei P50 hub. 

The Sleeping Giant 

Given the aforementioned export sanctions imposed on Huawei in 2019, the company’s sales have deteriorated in the US and Europe in the years since – but that doesn’t mean its profits have fallen, mind.

A recent The Verge report suggests Huawei recorded its highest-ever quarterly revenue in 2021, despite its struggles in markets outside of China. 

The company’s success should come as no surprise, though, given the quality of its recent phones. Last year’s Huawei P40, P40 Pro and P40 Pro Plus all packed superb cameras, plenty of power and excellent battery lives which saw them rank among the best smartphones of 2020.

While it’s true that these latest delays mean we won’t get to see the Huawei P50 and its siblings as soon as we’d otherwise expect, we’ve no doubt that its arrival will be worth the wait. 

Via PhoneArena 

Axel Metz
Phones Editor

Axel is TechRadar's UK-based Phones Editor, reporting on everything from the latest Apple developments to newest AI breakthroughs as part of the site's Mobile Computing vertical. Having previously written for publications including Esquire and FourFourTwo, Axel is well-versed in the applications of technology beyond the desktop, and his coverage extends from general reporting and analysis to in-depth interviews and opinion.  Axel studied for a degree in English Literature at the University of Warwick before joining TechRadar in 2020, where he then earned an NCTJ qualification as part of the company’s inaugural digital training scheme.

Read more
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
Sorry, Samsung fans: the tri-fold Galaxy phone might not make it to the next Samsung Galaxy Unpacked
Three-image composite; A Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, Snapdragon 8 Elite graphic, and see-through iPhone 16 Pro
AI step aside – 3 ways phone hardware could finally get interesting again in 2025
OnePlus Open
We may have to wait longer for the OnePlus Open 2 than we thought
Samsung Galaxy S24 on a yellow background
Strangest Samsung Galaxy S25 Slim leak yet says the smartphone will skip the US
Nvidia RTX 5070 Founders Edition GPU shown against a green and black backdrop
Nvidia RTX 5070 and 5060 GPUs rumored to be delayed to March and April respectively, and stock could be every bit as dire as the RTX 5090 and 5080
Acer Nitro V16
Rumor suggests Nvidia’s planned launch timeframe for laptops with RTX 5000 GPUs got pushed back - what does this mean for PC gamers?
Latest in Huawei Phones
Holding the Huawei Mate XT in-hand
I thought the tri-folding Huawei Mate XT was a gimmick, but then I held it
The Huawei Mate X6 on a pink background
The Huawei Mate X6 looks like a huge step forward for foldable phone photography, and I’m annoyed that I probably won’t be able to get one
The Huawei Mate XT and PS5 Pro side-by-side
Huawei's tri-fold phone is so expensive you could buy four PS5 Pros for the same price
Huawei Mate XT
Huawei posts the first official image of the tri-fold Mate XT, and reveals storage options
Samsung's tri-folding display technology unveiled at the SID Display Week 2021 online event
Huawei finally confirms the name of its tri-fold smartphone in new teaser video
Samsung's tri-folding display technology unveiled at the SID Display Week 2021 online event
Huawei sets the date for its tri-foldable phone launch, with a 10-inch display and high price rumored
Latest in News
Google Pixel 8a in aloe green showing
Google Pixel 9a benchmark link teases the performance of the upcoming mid-ranger
Quordle on a smartphone held in a hand
Quordle hints and answers for Monday, March 17 (game #1148)
NYT Strands homescreen on a mobile phone screen, on a light blue background
NYT Strands hints and answers for Monday, March 17 (game #379)
NYT Connections homescreen on a phone, on a purple background
NYT Connections hints and answers for Monday, March 17 (game #645)
Apple iPhone 16 Pro HANDS ON
Leaked iPhone 17 dummy units may have given us our best look yet at all four models
A super close up image of the Google Gemini app in the Play Store
It's official: Google Assistant will be retired for phones this year, with Gemini taking over