In May 2019, the U.S. government placed Huawei on its entity list, restricting the company from utilizing its American supply chain. This ban effectively severed Huawei’s ties with Google, forcing the tech giant to either rely on the open-source version of Android or create its own operating system. Anticipating this scenario, Huawei’s HarmonyOS NEXT had already begun developing an alternative OS a year prior to the sanctions. As noted back in April 2018, losing access to Google services meant that Huawei devices would no longer be able to pre-install essential apps like the Google Play Store.
The Birth of HarmonyOS
In response to these challenges, Huawei announced HarmonyOS as its replacement for Android on its smartphones and other devices. This new operating system is essentially an “Android fork,” built by customizing the open-source Android source code (AOSP). Fast forward to October 22, 2024, when Huawei officially launched HarmonyOS NEXT, following a public beta release on October 8. This latest iteration uses only the HarmonyOS kernel and supports applications developed specifically for HarmonyOS.
Supported Devices for HarmonyOS NEXT
The launch of HarmonyOS NEXT introduces compatibility with several Huawei devices, allowing users to experience the new software features firsthand. The devices eligible for this upgrade include:
- HUAWEI Mate 60
- HUAWEI Mate X5
- HUAWEI Mate 60 Pro+
- HUAWEI Mate X5 Collector’s Edition
- HUAWEI Mate 60 Pro
- HUAWEI Pura 70
- HUAWEI Mate 60 RS ULTIMATE DESIGN
- HUAWEI Pura 70 Pro
- HUAWEI Pura 70 Ultra
- HUAWEI Pura 70 Pro+
- HUAWEI Pocket 2
- HUAWEI Pocket 2 Art Edition
- HUAWEI MatePad Pro (13.2-inch)
- HUAWEI MatePad Pro (13.2-inch Collector’s Edition)
- HUAWEI MatePad Pro (11-inch, 2024 model)
- HUAWEI WATCH Ultimate
Next year, HarmonyOS NEXT will expand to additional models including the Nova Flip series and various MatePad devices.
Ambitions for Global Market Share
Huawei aims for HarmonyOS NEXT to become the world’s third-largest mobile operating system, standing alongside Android and iOS. To achieve this goal, AI integration is a significant focus within HarmonyOS NEXT, featuring an AI-powered assistant named Xiaoyi. The lock screen design draws inspiration from iOS, while widgets can be repositioned to harmonize with the user’s wallpaper.
Developer Ecosystem and App Availability
The success of HarmonyOS NEXT hinges on Huawei’s ability to attract developers to create applications for its platform. Currently, there are 15,000 apps and services integrated into the HarmonyOS NEXT ecosystem, with more expected to follow. Richard Yu, Chairman of Huawei’s Consumer Business Group, confirmed that HarmonyOS is now operational on over 1 billion devices worldwide.
Conclusion: A Bold Step Forward
As Huawei continues to navigate the complexities of operating without Google services, HarmonyOS NEXT represents a bold leap into a self-sufficient future. By moving away from Android and focusing on its proprietary ecosystem, Huawei is positioning itself as a formidable player in the mobile operating system landscape. With innovative features and a growing app ecosystem, HarmonyOS NEXT could redefine user experiences across various device categories—from smartphones to wearables—ushering in a new chapter in Huawei’s technological journey.
