Do you agree? Huawei is changing how many Chinese consumers see domestic brands—no longer “worse than imports” or something that must be sold cheap.

Fast Technology reported on January 10 that a recent online post has sparked discussion about Huawei’s broader impact on how Chinese consumers view domestic brands. According to the post, Huawei’s most direct influence is helping people move past the long-held belief that “made-in-China” products should be cheap by default.

The author wrote that Huawei has changed the mindset of many consumers who once thought: “If a product is expensive, why wouldn’t I just buy an import?” In other words, the assumption wasn’t only that foreign brands were better—it was also that domestic brands had no right to charge premium prices.

For a long time, this way of thinking has been a persistent challenge for local manufacturers. Even when a company builds a genuinely high-quality product—using better materials, tighter engineering standards, and more careful quality checks—it may still struggle to earn market acceptance. Strong craftsmanship doesn’t always translate into sales when consumers are conditioned to equate “domestic” with “budget.”

The post quickly drew heavy engagement, with many commenters agreeing that the argument makes sense. Some said Huawei has helped break the perception that “high-end equals foreign,” and that once one brand successfully pushes into the premium space, it becomes easier for other domestic brands—if they can keep up—to gain recognition from new users. In that view, the market needs a “leading example” to reset expectations and normalize the idea of premium domestic products.

Others added that across many industries, higher prices for foreign products don’t automatically mean better quality. They argued that it’s positive—and necessary—for domestic companies to have true front-runners capable of competing at the high end and building global-level brand credibility.

So what do you think—has Huawei helped reshape perceptions of domestic brands and pricing, or are these attitudes still deeply rooted?