Huawei Mate 20 Pro Freebies and Promotional Offers in the Philippines: A Guide to Launch Incentives

The launch of the Huawei Mate 20 and Mate 20 Pro in the Philippines in October 2018 was accompanied by a significant promotional campaign designed to incentivize early adoption. For consumers interested in high-value consumer electronics, these launch offers represent a classic example of how manufacturers utilize bundled freebies to enhance the perceived value of a flagship product release. While the specific devices discussed are older models, the structure of these promotions—bundled accessories, pre-order bonuses, and price reductions—offers a useful case study for understanding how consumer electronics brands reward early buyers. This article details the specific freebies, eligibility requirements, and subsequent pricing adjustments associated with the Huawei Mate 20 series in the Philippines, based on contemporary reports.

Launch Pre-Order Freebies

During the initial launch window in late 2018, Huawei Philippines structured its promotional offers around pre-order incentives. These offers were designed to add tangible value to the purchase of the Mate 20 and Mate 20 Pro, effectively discounting the overall cost of ownership through bundled hardware rather than direct price cuts.

Eligibility and Redemption Process

To qualify for the launch freebies, interested buyers had to participate in the pre-order period. According to reports, the pre-order window for the Mate 20 series ran from October 26 to November 2, 2018. The process for securing a unit and the associated bonuses required a specific physical action. To reserve a unit, consumers were instructed to visit an authorized Huawei store and make a deposit of PHP 1,000. This deposit likely secured the specific device variant and ensured the buyer’s place in line to receive the bundled accessories.

Value of Bundled Accessories

The value of the bundled freebies was substantial, amounting to nearly PHP 8,000 depending on the model.

Huawei Mate 20: Pre-orders of the standard Mate 20 (priced at PHP 40,990) included a free Huawei TalkBand B3 Lite and a Huawei SoundStone Bluetooth speaker. The combined value of these items was reported to be PHP 7,980.
Huawei Mate 20 Pro: Pre-orders of the Mate 20 Pro (priced at PHP 49,990) included a free Huawei TalkBand B3 Lite and a Huawei Wireless Charger. The combined value of these items was reported to be PHP 8,980.

These offers were positioned as a way to offset the cost of the devices, which were noted to be cheaper in the Philippines compared to launch prices in Europe.

Post-Launch Price Reductions

Following the initial launch and pre-order period, promotional strategies shifted from bundled freebies to direct price reductions. These discounts occurred several months after the initial release, offering a more affordable entry point for consumers who missed the pre-order window.

The Mate 20 Discount

By early 2019, reports indicated that Huawei had slashed the price of the standard Mate 20 in the Philippines. The price was reduced from the original suggested retail price (SRP) of PHP 40,990 to PHP 35,990. This represented a savings of PHP 5,000. This discount was described as the "biggest official discount to date" for the model at that time.

Strategic Value Considerations

The price drop was noted as a strategic opportunity for consumers. Despite being the "lowest-end" of the Mate 20 series lineup (which included the Mate 20 X, Mate 20 Pro, and Porsche Design Mate 20 RS), the standard Mate 20 shared the same top-tier Kirin 980 chipset and general design as its more expensive siblings. Reports suggested that this discount made the device a compelling purchase even with the impending release of the next flagship series (the P30), as the P30 was expected to utilize the same processor, keeping the Mate 20 competitive in terms of performance.

Device Specifications and Context

Understanding the hardware being promoted helps contextualize the value of the freebies and discounts. The Mate 20 series was a flagship line featuring high-end specifications for its time.

Mate 20 Pro Specifications

The Mate 20 Pro was the premium offering, featuring: * Display: 6.39-inch Quad HD+ OLED Display (3120 x 1440). * Processor: Octa-Core HiSilicon Kirin 980. * Memory/Storage: 6GB RAM / 128GB Storage. * Camera: Triple Rear Cameras (40MP Wide + 20MP Ultra Wide + 8MP Telephoto) and a 24MP Front Camera. * Battery: 4,200 mAh with 40W SuperCharge and 15W wireless charging. * Durability: IP68 Water and Dust Resistance.

Mate 20 Specifications

The standard Mate 20 offered slightly different specs but retained the flagship processor: * Display: 6.53-inch Full HD RGBW HDR IPS Display. * Processor: Octa-Core HiSilicon Kirin 980. * Memory/Storage: 6GB RAM / 128GB Storage. * Camera: Triple Rear Cameras (12MP Wide + 16MP Ultra Wide + 8MP Telephoto) and a 24MP Front Camera. * Battery: 4,000 mAh with 22.5W SuperCharge. * Durability: IP53 Certification.

Conclusion

The promotional campaign for the Huawei Mate 20 series in the Philippines highlights two distinct phases of consumer electronics marketing: pre-order incentives and post-launch price adjustments. Early adopters were rewarded with high-value accessory bundles, including fitness trackers, Bluetooth speakers, and wireless chargers, effectively lowering the total cost of acquiring a new flagship device. For consumers who waited, significant price reductions on the standard model provided a more budget-friendly option without sacrificing core performance features. While these specific offers are historical, they demonstrate the value of monitoring launch windows and subsequent price drops when purchasing high-value technology products.