Huawei Breaks Completely Free from Android OS with The Formal Launch of HarmonyOS NEXT

Huawei has formally launched HarmonyOS NEXT, marking a definitive break from the Android ecosystem and representing a significant step in its quest for technological independence from Western platforms.

The launch, announced on Wednesday, officially initiates public beta testing for the OS on select Huawei smartphones and tablets powered by the company’s Kirin and Kunpeng chips.

This latest version of HarmonyOS is a departure from previous iterations, as it no longer supports Android apps—a bold move underlining Huawei’s growing confidence in its proprietary ecosystem. Prior versions of HarmonyOS relied heavily on the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) for essential functions, a strategy initially adopted due to the restrictions imposed by U.S. sanctions in 2019 that cut Huawei off from Google’s Mobile Services.

With HarmonyOS NEXT, Huawei has effectively shed its dependence on Android, signaling its determination to carve out a distinct identity in the software landscape.

With a huge domestic market to leverage, Huawei has been unfazed after cutting ties with Android as major Chinese tech companies show readiness to embrace the new operating system. Meituan, Douyin (the Chinese version of TikTok), Taobao, Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book), Alipay, and JD.com are among the prominent players that have developed native applications for HarmonyOS NEXT. These apps cover key areas such as e-commerce, social media, and digital payments, underscoring the broad ecosystem Huawei is building to support its OS.

At the time of the announcement, Huawei disclosed that over 15,000 HarmonyOS-native applications and meta-services were already available. Although this figure pales in comparison to the millions of apps on established platforms like the Google Play Store and Apple’s App Store, it represents a growing base of support for HarmonyOS that could help it gain traction in the Chinese market.

Huawei is touting HarmonyOS NEXT as a major upgrade over its predecessors, boasting 110 million lines of code and significant performance improvements. According to the company, devices running HarmonyOS NEXT will experience a 30 percent boost in overall performance, longer battery life with an added 56 minutes of usage, and an average of 1.5GB of free memory for applications beyond the operating system.

The OS aims to deliver a seamless user experience across smartphones and tablets, maintaining a consistent interface between devices. This unified approach aligns with Huawei’s broader strategy of creating a tightly integrated ecosystem that encompasses a range of smart devices, from mobile phones to wearables and potentially even PCs in the future.

Limited Availability Outside China

However, Huawei has indicated that the new OS will not be available outside China for the foreseeable future. This decision reflects the company’s cautious approach, especially given the limited success of earlier attempts to export HarmonyOS to international markets. Previous efforts included outreach to developers to create apps for the platform with a focus on global markets, but uptake was minimal.

Nonetheless, Huawei has had some success in attracting international developers. Companies such as Singapore-based super app Grab and the airline Emirates have created applications for the HarmonyOS platform, indicating some level of offshore interest and potential future growth.

Background: U.S. Sanctions and The Birth of HarmonyOS

The development of HarmonyOS was accelerated by the 2019 U.S. sanctions against Huawei, which prevented the company from accessing Google’s Android services. In response, Huawei embarked on a journey to create a self-sufficient operating system that would reduce its reliance on U.S. technologies.

The initial versions of HarmonyOS integrated elements of the Android Open Source Project to retain compatibility with Android apps, allowing Huawei to provide a familiar experience for users while continuing to expand its app ecosystem.

HarmonyOS NEXT, however, represents the culmination of years of development aimed at achieving true software independence. Huawei is positioning HarmonyOS as a homegrown alternative that supports China’s broader push for technological self-reliance by moving away from Android altogether. This initiative aligns with China’s ongoing efforts to reduce dependence on foreign technology amid geopolitical tensions and trade restrictions.

Beyond Mobile, HarmonyOS Sees Ambitions in the PC Market

In a move that signals Huawei’s broader ambitions for HarmonyOS, the company announced that it plans to replace Windows with HarmonyOS in future PC models. Yu Chengdong, the chair of Huawei’s consumer business group, revealed last month that the company intends to roll out HarmonyOS-powered PCs, though specifics regarding the launch timeline and potential adoption by other manufacturers remain uncertain.

However, analysts believe that the transition from Windows to HarmonyOS on PCs comes with both opportunities and challenges for Huawei. They note that it could pave the way for a fully integrated ecosystem where users experience seamless interactions across all Huawei devices, but the dominance of Windows in the global PC market poses a significant barrier to entry, as software compatibility and user familiarity with Windows-based systems are deeply entrenched.

A Major Blow to Android’s Market Share?

The launch of HarmonyOS NEXT is expected to resonate far beyond Huawei’s individual fortunes, posing a substantial challenge to Android’s dominant position in one of the world’s largest smartphone markets: China.

By this launch, China is no longer just a massive consumer market but also a crucial battleground for smartphone operating systems. Android has long enjoyed a dominant share in the country, powering the vast majority of smartphones sold there.

However, with HarmonyOS NEXT making a complete break from the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) and its lack of support for Android apps, Google’s operating system is set to lose a large segment of the Chinese market. This is not merely a shift of one company from Android to another system but represents a more profound change, given Huawei’s prominent market position in China and its substantial user base. With over 240 million HarmonyOS devices already activated across previous versions of the OS, Huawei’s ability to migrate its existing user base to HarmonyOS NEXT could mean the transfer of millions of users away from the Android ecosystem.

As Huawei pushes forward with the new OS, Google’s influence in China could be further marginalized. Analysts believe that if other Chinese smartphone manufacturers follow Huawei’s lead and begin developing or adopting alternative operating systems, Android’s grip on the market may weaken even further.