Huawei has taken a significant step towards full tech independence by officially launching HarmonyOS NEXT, marking its complete separation from the Android ecosystem. This new version of the company’s proprietary operating system is now in public beta testing, designed to run on Huawei’s own Kirin and Kunpeng chips. With this launch, Huawei has severed its ties with Android, signaling a bold move toward self-reliance in the global tech industry.
Unlike previous versions of HarmonyOS, HarmonyOS NEXT no longer supports Android apps. This is a major departure from the earlier iterations, which relied on the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) for core functionality, particularly after U.S. sanctions in 2019 cut Huawei off from Google Mobile Services (GMS). The launch of HarmonyOS NEXT reflects Huawei’s efforts to fully develop its own ecosystem, free from reliance on American technology.
While the lack of support for Android apps may seem like a significant limitation, Huawei remains confident that it won’t affect its growth, especially in China. The company highlighted that many of China’s largest tech companies, including Meituan, Douyin, Taobao, Xiaohongshu, Alipay, and JD.com, have developed native applications for HarmonyOS NEXT. These apps are crucial to the Chinese digital economy, and their inclusion suggests that Huawei’s operating system could gain significant traction in the domestic market.
Growing Native App Ecosystem
At the time of the announcement, Huawei revealed that over 15,000 native HarmonyOS applications and meta-services were available on the platform. While this figure is impressive, it pales in comparison to the millions of apps available on Google Play and the Apple App Store. However, this early growth of native applications is an encouraging sign for Huawei’s broader strategy, as the company aims to cultivate a self-sustaining app ecosystem that could eventually compete with global app stores.
To support this expansion, Huawei has been working closely with developers to create optimized apps for the new system. The company claims that HarmonyOS NEXT offers significant improvements in performance, with devices running the OS benefiting from a 30 percent overall performance boost. Additionally, the OS is said to extend battery life by up to 56 minutes and free up an average of 1.5GB of memory for other tasks. These performance enhancements could make the OS attractive to users who prioritize speed and efficiency.
Challenges in Expanding Beyond China
Despite its ambitions, Huawei faces significant challenges in bringing HarmonyOS NEXT to international markets. Although the company has previously expressed plans to launch its OS outside of China, there is currently no indication that HarmonyOS NEXT will be available globally. Huawei’s earlier attempts to export previous versions of HarmonyOS were met with limited success, as developers outside of China were slow to adopt the platform.
However, Huawei has managed to secure some international partnerships. For example, Singapore-based ridesharing company Grab and the airline Emirates have developed applications for HarmonyOS. These partnerships suggest that while global expansion may be slow, Huawei is still finding ways to integrate its operating system into international markets.
A Milestone in China’s Push for Tech Independence
The launch of HarmonyOS NEXT is a significant moment in China’s broader push for tech independence. Following the 2019 U.S. sanctions, Huawei has been at the forefront of efforts to reduce China’s reliance on foreign technology, particularly from the United States. The development of HarmonyOS as a fully independent operating system is a crucial part of this strategy, as it allows Huawei to control both the hardware and software of its devices.
In addition to its smartphone and tablet applications, Huawei has broader ambitions for HarmonyOS. The company plans to extend the operating system to personal computers, potentially replacing Microsoft’s Windows OS in future Huawei PCs. Last month, Yu Chengdong, chair of Huawei’s consumer business group, announced that Huawei would no longer use Windows on its upcoming machines, opting instead for HarmonyOS. While details about when these PCs will be available are still unclear, this move signals Huawei’s commitment to becoming a fully self-reliant tech company.
Huawei’s decision to divorce itself from Android is a bold one, but it comes with significant risks. The global app ecosystem is dominated by Android and iOS, and gaining traction outside of China will be a daunting task for HarmonyOS NEXT. The limited success of Huawei’s earlier efforts to export HarmonyOS indicates that the company may face continued challenges in convincing developers and users to adopt its platform, especially in regions where Android and iOS are deeply entrenched.
However, Huawei’s strength lies in its dominance of the Chinese market. With millions of users in China and strong partnerships with domestic tech giants, HarmonyOS NEXT has the potential to thrive within its home country. Furthermore, as China continues to prioritize tech independence, Huawei’s operating system could play a key role in reducing the country’s reliance on foreign technology, particularly in strategic sectors like telecommunications and artificial intelligence.
### Conclusion: A New Chapter for Huawei
The launch of HarmonyOS NEXT marks a new chapter in Huawei’s journey toward full tech independence. By severing its ties with Android and developing a fully independent operating system, Huawei has taken a significant step in building its own ecosystem. While challenges remain, particularly in expanding beyond China, Huawei’s strong foothold in its domestic market and its performance improvements in HarmonyOS NEXT position the company for continued growth. As Huawei pushes forward, its success could serve as a model for other Chinese tech companies looking to reduce their reliance on foreign technology.
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