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Huawei in talks with Digital China to divest parts of Honor smartphone business

Reuters Hong Kong | Updated on October 14, 2020 Published on October 14, 2020

Huwaei plans to focus on higher-end brands instead of the pocket-friendly Honor   -  REUTERS

Deal size could be up to $3.7 billion

Huawei Technologies Co Ltd is in talks with Digital China Group Co Ltd and other suitors to sell parts of its Honor smartphone unit in a deal that could fetch up to 25 billion yuan ($3.7 billion), people with knowledge of the matter said.

Embattled Huawei is resetting its priorities in the face of US sanctions and will focus on its higher-end Huawei phones rather than the Honor brand which is aimed at young people and the budget conscious, they said.

The assets to be sold have yet to be finalised but could include Honor’s brand, research & development capabilities and related supply chain management business, two of the people said.

Likely deal size

The deal may be an all-cash sale and could end up smaller, worth somewhere between 15 billion yuan and 25 billion yuan, one of the people said.

Digital China, the main distributor for Honor phones, has emerged as the frontrunner but other prospective buyers include Chinese electronics maker TCL and rival smartphone maker Xiaomi Corp, the people said.

The sources declined to be identified as the talks were confidential.

Huawei, Digital China and Xiaomi did not immediately respond to requests for comment. TCL declined to comment.

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Published on October 14, 2020
smartphone
China
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