Xiaomi To Vivo Ready To Leave Google Because Of The US Tariff War

Google Mobile Services, in danger of being abandoned by Chinese mobile phone manufacturers (photo: x @BiodroideV ·)

JAKARTA - A number of large Chinese mobile phone manufacturers are reportedly considering leaving their dependence on Google Mobile Services (GMS). This move comes amid rising trade tensions between the United States and China.

In an unconfirmed report, it was stated that companies such as OnePlus, Xiaomi, OPPO, and Vivo were preparing alternative scenarios if relations with the US got worse. However, they are rumored to be still using the Android operating system as a base, only without Google services.

This move is nothing foreign. Huawei has already felt the impact of US government sanctions that have cost them access to Google and a number of other important technologies. Since then, Huawei has developed its own ecosystem, HarmonyOS, and even its latest version of HarmonyOS NEXT no longer fully supports Android applications.

Manufacturers like Xiaomi are said to be preparing the HyperOS 3 system as the foundation for their independence, while it is not yet clear whether there will be direct collaboration between the big players.

Concerns About US Sanctions

The trade tension between the US and China began in the era of President Donald Trump and is still ongoing today. The threat of sanctions against Chinese technology companies continues to overshadow, and phone manufacturers do not seem to want to have the same fate as Huawei.

With their dominance in the market, especially in China, collective steps from Xiaomi, OPPO, Vivo, and OnePlus could have a major impact. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, these four companies accounted for two-thirds of the total mobile phone shipments in China. Globally, Xiaomi, OPPO, and Vivo are also in the top five world smartphone manufacturers.

Although this step seems logical, the information circulating is still speculative. There is no official statement from related companies regarding plans to leave Google. However, with Huawei's experience, it is not impossible if they start preparing a 'backup plan' just in case.

If geopolitical tensions continue to rise, we could see major changes in the global mobile phone industry landscape. Dependence on the Google ecosystem could begin to be abandoned, and the market will witness the birth of new platforms from Asia.