Huawei Launches HarmonyOS NEXT, Signaling Full Departure from Android

Huawei officially launches HarmonyOS NEXT, marking its complete shift away from Android, with improved performance and a growing library of native apps.

In a move that sets the tone for Huawei’s future, the tech giant has introduced HarmonyOS NEXT, its in-house operating system that fully parts ways with Android. Huawei just launched the public beta version of the OS for a range of devices. This new system is part of its ongoing strategy to build a tech ecosystem entirely under its own control, away from Western influences.

HarmonyOS NEXT does not support Android apps, a clear indication that Huawei is aiming to develop a standalone platform. The OS is now available for beta testing on select devices like the Pura 70 series, Huawei Pocket 2, and the MatePad Pro 11 (2024). While Huawei has tried to introduce previous versions of HarmonyOS internationally, this version will stay exclusive to China for now.

Native Apps and Performance Boost

Huawei has secured partnerships with China’s largest app developers, such as Meituan and JD.com, making 15,000 native applications available for HarmonyOS NEXT. This number pales in comparison to the millions of apps on Google’s Play Store, but it’s a key step in building a viable alternative.

Huawei claims that HarmonyOS NEXT enhances performance significantly. It promises a 30% boost in device fluency and reduces battery drain, leading to almost an extra hour of uptime. Additionally, the system uses memory more efficiently, with around 1.5 GB of space left available for tasks while the OS runs. Users will also notice a refreshed interface with customizable home screens and lock screens.

Artificial intelligence also plays a role in the new mobile OS, which includes features powered by Huawei’s Pangu large language model. These enhancements are designed to make tasks like app launching faster and more responsive.

Broader Implications for Huawei’s Strategy

The release of HarmonyOS NEXT comes amid broader efforts by Huawei to strengthen its software and intellectual property portfolio. The company has been leveraging its patents more aggressively, as evidenced by a lawsuit filed in July 2024 against MediaTek. Huawei accuses the chipmaker of infringing on its communication tech patents, part of a strategy to generate revenue from its IP in areas like 5G.

MediaTek, for its part, confirmed the legal case but downplayed its potential impact on operations. This legal fight underscores Huawei’s increasing focus on protecting its technology as hardware sales face setbacks due to U.S. sanctions.

TSMC Investigation and U.S. Restrictions

While Huawei is busy building its software empire, its hardware supply chain has come under scrutiny. U.S. authorities recently began investigating whether Taiwan-based TSMC has been secretly providing chips to Huawei, which could violate export restrictions. The investigation is focused on whether Huawei has been able to source chips for its Mate 60 phones and Ascend AI processors despite U.S. regulations.

TSMC is a critical player in the global chip market, and its connections with American firms like Nvidia and Apple mean any violation of export rules could have widespread consequences. The chipmaker, however, has said it follows all applicable export laws and would act if any compliance issues were uncovered.

Huawei’s growing reliance on its own chips—like those used in the Mate 60—signals a shift away from foreign tech, but the TSMC investigation highlights the difficulties in fully escaping U.S. sanctions.

AI and Tech Independence in China

Huawei’s ambitions in artificial intelligence are central to China’s broader strategy to reduce dependency on Western technologies. Chinese tech giants, including Tencent and Alibaba, are ramping up investments in AI. In the first half of 2024, these firms spent nearly $7 billion on AI infrastructure, a figure more than double the previous year’s spending.

However, Huawei’s AI aspirations have hit a few snags. In September, reports surfaced about software bugs affecting its AI systems, causing operational issues in sectors like healthcare and finance. Huawei has acknowledged these problems and is actively working to improve the software, but the issues have raised concerns about the readiness of Chinese AI platforms to compete globally.

What Lies Ahead for Huawei and HarmonyOS NEXT

As Huawei continues to build out HarmonyOS NEXT, it faces ongoing challenges both at home and abroad. With U.S. sanctions in place, the company has had to double down on its own research and development. At the same time, Huawei is involved in legal battles and navigating a complex global chip supply chain that’s under intense scrutiny.

The future of HarmonyOS NEXT depends largely on how well Huawei can scale it across devices and whether it can successfully build out a robust ecosystem. While the OS is only available in China for now, Huawei’s long-term goal of global expansion still looms in the background. Whether it can succeed remains an open question.

Last Updated on November 7, 2024 2:22 pm CET

SourceHuawei
Markus Kasanmascheff
Markus Kasanmascheff
Markus has been covering the tech industry for more than 15 years. He is holding a Master´s degree in International Economics and is the founder and managing editor of Winbuzzer.com.

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