It's official! Google services are coming back to HUAWEI's former sub-brand

Huawei‘s sacrifice of sub-brand HONOR seems to have paid off for the latter. HONOR phones, starting with the HONOR 50 series, will once again come bearing Google’s apps and services.

HONOR Germany confirmed the information on Twitter (via GizmoChina). Replying to a question on its tweet about the upcoming Snapdragon 778 phone, the company made it clear that the device will carry Google service. It also confirmed that the phone will retain Magic UI on top with some new features.

The HONOR 50 would be the first phone from the company to launch with Google services since the US imposed strict sanctions on HUAWEI in May 2019. The mounting losses and declining growth of its smartphone business due to the lack of Google apps forced HUAWEI to sell HONOR to a consortium of Chinese companies.

As a newly independent brand, HONOR has been focused on reinstating partnerships with Qualcomm, Intel, and many other tech companies. Google was one of the biggest missing pieces in the company’s arsenal and it looks like that will no longer be a problem.

With devices like the HONOR 50 and the recently teased Snapdragon 888 flagship, HONOR could be looking at making a grand entry back in the European and Asian markets where it once held a decent market position. It’s too early to say if the firm will manage to rub shoulders once again with other Chinese smartphone OEMs who have long surpassed it in terms of growth. Nevertheless, the comeback of Google services is definitely pleasant news for the brand and its followers.