Huawei Consumer Business Group (BG) and Leica Camera AG announced the start of their strategic partnership, with a shared vision and goals. A partnership that will allow the two parties to combine their unparalleled expertise in technology and photography and their long tradition of craftsmanship, meticulous technique and pioneering spirit for a powerful partnership, aiming to redefine smartphone photography.
In 2012, Huawei was ranked as the world’s third largest smartphone manufacturer, and in 2015, it became the first Chinese company to sell more than 100 million mobile phones in a single year. Being the first Chinese brand to be included in the prestigious Interbrand Best Global Brands List in 2014, Huawei rose to 88th place in 2015. At the same time, the internationally highly anticipated Huawei Watch and Huawei P8 were launched. In 2016, Huawei is collaborating with Leica Camera, aiming to strengthen its success. A mutually beneficial partnership with the most famous brand in the field of photography that aims to create an unparalleled experience for consumers.
For over 100 years, the premium manufacturer of the famous Leica cameras has successfully created lightweight cameras with innovative optical lenses, first preferred by pioneering street photographers. Leica cameras, with their distinctive “red dot” branding, continue to attract the interest of a new generation of consumers who seek to acquire the “Leica look” and own such a camera.
Richard Yu, CEO of Huawei Consumer BG, said: “We carefully select our partners and with this excellent partnership, we will offer our broad consumer base the unlimited possibilities of both brands. Combining innovation with design, we will enhance the user experience and continue to produce advanced technology through seamless image quality. Leica is a legend in the world of photography, who has set the bar for the entire industry. We, at Huawei, are very proud of our new partnership.”
Oliver Kaltner, CEO of Leica Camera AG, said: “The strategic partnership between Huawei and Leica Camera demonstrates the desire of two rapidly growing brands worldwide to continuously evolve and expand their technological horizons. In addition to innovative strength and premium standards, the two companies are united by a commitment to uncompromising quality. The technology partnership with Huawei offers Leica Camera a great opportunity to present its proven optical expertise in a new product category and to unlock great business segments in the mobile device industry. Smartphones make a significant contribution to the world of photography and open a new door for the company to new common goals and application areas.”.
“Leica owes its legendary reputation to its long tradition of innovation, precision and craftsmanship. I am particularly pleased and convinced that a traditional, medium-sized company will contribute its principles and know-how to its long-term partnership with Huawei, aiming to achieve the best possible result in the smartphone photography industry,” said Dr Andreas Kaufmann, major shareholder and chairman of the supervisory board of Leica Camera AG.
