Huawei & Android: The latest from O2

[Chris_K]

Hi everyone, 

As most of you will have seen, Huawei has been in the news this week and we’re here to update and reassure our customers who use Huawei or Honor devices. This week the US Commerce Department has granted a temporary license restoring Huawei’s ability to maintain existing networks and provide software updates to existing Huawei handsets until August 2019.

We’re continuing to monitor the situation to understand any and all potential implications for our customers and we’ll update this thread with the latest information.

The situation for existing customers

Huawei has indicated that for existing Huawei and Honor devices which are currently on the market, things will stay the same for now and the phones will continue to operate normally, including access to Google services such as Google Play, Gmail, etc. Huawei has confirmed these devices will continue to receive security updates from Android and will be covered by Huawei’s after-sales service.  Based on the current situation, availability of software updates (including apps and bug fixes) after 19 August 2019 cannot be confirmed and it’s possible the ongoing issue could prevent the upgrade of existing apps from taking place.

The situation for new/future customers

For anyone considering purchasing a Huawei or Honor device, we want to help you understand the current situation as best as we can, from what Google and Huawei have made public so far:

• To date, Huawei has not confirmed the availability of future Android updates for their devices.
• However, the US Government has issued a partial and temporary license (expiring 19 August) which permits Huawei to provide service and support, including software updates and patches to existing Huawei devices that were available to the public on or before 16 May.
• Based on the current situation, availability of software updates (including apps and bug fixes) after 19 August 2019 cannot be confirmed and it’s possible the ongoing issue could prevent the upgrade of existing apps from taking place.

In all cases, we continue to analyse the situation closely. We will be in permanent contact with Google and Huawei, in order to share with our customers any additional relevant information.

We understand many of you have some specific questions, so we’d like to cover these below.

I am an existing Huawei smartphone user, what does this mean for me?

• Your device will continue to function as it does today.
• All the Google services and apps will continue to function and you will be able to download & update applications from the Play Store.
• Huawei will be able to issue Android security updates based on patches provided by Google.
• Based on the current situation, availability of software updates (including bug fixes) after 19 August 2019 cannot be confirmed.

*The information provided is based on Huawei's statements.

Q. I am thinking of purchasing a new Huawei smartphone from the current available range, what does this mean for me? 

• Your device will come with full current Android software, including all the normal Google applications.
• All the Google services and apps will continue to function and you will be able to download & update applications from the Play Store.
• Huawei will be able to issue Android security updates based on patches provided by Google.
• Based on the current situation, availability of software updates (including apps and bug fixes) after 19 August 2019 cannot be confirmed and it’s possible the ongoing issue could prevent the upgrade of existing apps from taking place.

*The information provided is based on Huawei's statements.

Can I return my Huawei/Honor device for a refund or exchange as a result of this issue?

• Yes, if you’re within your 14-day Change of Mind period. If you’re outside of 14 days, you will not be able to return the device for a refund on the basis of the current situation while your device continues to work as it should. We will continue to monitor the situation and advise customers if things change.

What about Honor products?

• Honor is not officially included in the list, but as a Huawei subsidiary and as confirmed by Huawei and Google, it is likely that Honor is impacted in the same way as Huawei.

Will Google Services continue to work on existing Huawei phones?

• Google have publicly stated “We assure you while we are complying with all US gov't requirements, services like Google Play & security from Google Play Protect will keep functioning on your existing Huawei device.”

Will Google apps/services continue receiving updates?

• Google and Huawei have confirmed for now that Google apps will continue being updated through Google Play.  Based on the current situation, availability of software updates (including apps and bug fixes) after 19 August 2019 cannot be confirmed and it’s possible the ongoing issue could prevent the upgrade of existing apps from taking place.

I heard that Huawei have been granted a 90 day license extension, what does this mean?

• The US government has issued a partial and temporary licence (expiring 19 August 2019) which permits Huawei to provide service and support, including software updates and patches to existing Huawei handsets that were available to the public on or before 16 May 2019.  Based on the current situation, availability of software updates (including apps and bug fixes) after 19 August 2019 cannot be confirmed and it’s possible the ongoing issue could prevent the upgrade of existing apps from taking place.

[jcf224]

On the o2 website Huawei P30 pro is still being advertised at £30 upfront and £44.82 a month for 36 MTHS or £899 on PAYG 😂😂😂

[welshsteve76]

If the trade in value for Huawei phones is now next to nothing, then O2 should pull them from sale until this situation is resolved as it is simply not fair to sell a product to somebody for hundreds of pounds when you are not attaching that kind of value to the phone.  If the situation gets to the point where Huawei phones are banned, then O2 themselves seek compensation from Google/Huawei. 

By continuing to sell the phones at their high prices they are essentially profiteering and passing the buck to the consumer.

However you look at it, it is morally wrong.

[snukems]

Why has no one still come back to help us on this post I thought that was the whole point? Also still no one from the complaints team has emailed back.

[gmarkj]

Are there any further updates @Chris_K @Martin-O2 @EmilieT @Marjo?

[Chris_K]

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@gmarkj wrote:
Are there any further updates @Chris_K @Martin-O2 @EmilieT @Marjo?

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There are no further updates as of yet I'm afraid. We continue to monitor the situation to understand any and all potential implications for our customers and we’ll update this thread with the latest information as and when there's any updates.

[welshsteve76]

Thanks @Chris_K 

[AlexTucker]

Huawei published commitment and looks all good now 

Yeah, My P30 Pro is still good

[viridis]

Cant wait for the outrage from people who "had no choice but to sell their phones for £100"

[Cleoriff]

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@viridis wrote:
Cant wait for the outrage from people who "had no choice but to sell their phones for £100"

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Yep I can just see them coming

[jonsie]

But will O2Recycle ever increase their trade-in 'value'????? I doubt they could, just think of that outrage if anyone took 'advantage' of the derisory £60-100 .....