Huawei Bids Farewell to Android and Steps into a New Era with HarmonyOS Next
The trade embargo imposed by the USA has led Huawei down an unexpected path. The Chinese tech giant is gearing up for a strong comeback in the domestic market with its flagship smartphones, while also making significant strides in the software arena.
According to a new report, Huawei is set to completely abandon Google’s Android operating system and transition to its own developed platform, HarmonyOS Next. The platform, which will initially host 4,000 applications, aims to reach 5,000 applications by the end of the year.
HarmonyOS Next
Expected to debut with Huawei’s new flagship series, the Mate 70, HarmonyOS Next promises three times more efficient memory usage and built-in artificial intelligence support. Powered by SMIC’s 5nm chipset, the Mate 70 series is rumored to be unveiled in October.
Like any operating system, HarmonyOS Next requires a robust application ecosystem to thrive. Huawei has integrated 4,000 applications into the platform, including popular ones like Alipay and McDonald’s. The company aims to expand the number of applications to 5,000 and eventually reach 500,000 after hitting this milestone.
Huawei introduced HarmonyOS
In 2021, Huawei introduced HarmonyOS to reduce its dependence on Google’s Android operating system. However, reviews revealed that HarmonyOS was still based on Android. With HarmonyOS Next, Huawei will offer a completely redesigned operating system developed entirely in-house.
The success of HarmonyOS Next depends on developer support. Developers need to recode their applications for HarmonyOS Next, which requires time and resources. Applications with over a billion users, like WeChat, could play a significant role in the platform’s ascent.
Huawei aims to rival Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android with its own operating system. Whether the Chinese company can achieve this ambitious goal remains to be seen.
