What's happened
Huawei has announced that all its 2025 smartphones will run on HarmonyOS Next, moving away from Android support. The Mate 70 series, launching December 4, is the first to feature this OS. Challenges remain, particularly in app availability and international usability.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to the South China Morning Post, Huawei's rotating chairman Eric Xu emphasized that achieving 100,000 applications is crucial for the maturity of HarmonyOS Next. He noted that while the most frequently used apps are available, many essential low-frequency apps are still needed. Rich Bishop, CEO of AppInChina, highlighted the challenges in attracting international developers, stating, 'If a user isn’t able to access even one app that they use on a regular basis, then this is likely to put them off from buying a Next device.' This sentiment underscores the potential hurdles Huawei faces in expanding its ecosystem beyond China. The TechCrunch article discusses Google's shift in its Android rollout schedule, which may indirectly affect Huawei's strategy as it seeks to differentiate HarmonyOS Next in a competitive landscape dominated by Android and iOS.
How we got here
Huawei launched HarmonyOS in 2019 as an alternative to Android amid US sanctions. The platform gained traction with the Mate 60 series last year, which marked its return to the 5G market. HarmonyOS Next aims to further establish Huawei's independence from US technology.
Common question
-
What is HarmonyOS and How Does It Differ from Android?
Huawei's transition to HarmonyOS marks a significant shift in the smartphone landscape, especially as the company moves away from Android. This change raises many questions about the new operating system, its features, and the challenges Huawei faces in this transition. Below, we explore key aspects of HarmonyOS and its implications for users and developers.
More on these topics
-
Google LLC is an American multinational technology company that specializes in Internet-related services and products, which include online advertising technologies, a search engine, cloud computing, software, and hardware.
-
Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. is a Chinese multinational technology company headquartered in Shenzhen, Guangdong. It designs, develops, and sells telecommunications equipment and consumer electronics.