- HUAWEI’s latest phones are designed to run on its new Harmony OS Next operating system.
- The original Harmony OS, used by HUAWEI in recent years, was partially based on Android.
- Harmony OS Next is completely Android-free, requiring its own apps and marking a bold move toward a fully independent ecosystem.
HUAWEI has unveiled its latest flagship smartphones, the Mate 70 series and the Mate X6 foldable, in China. But the real story is about HUAWEI breaking up with Android. These devices are the company’s first step toward switching to Harmony OS Next, an operating system built entirely in-house and free of US technological influence. (h/t: Bloomberg)
While the original Harmony OS, launched in 2019, was built on Android’s framework, this next-generation platform leaves Android behind entirely. Dropping Android means Harmony OS Next won’t support Android apps, which could be a significant hurdle for user adoption. HUAWEI has been working closely with developers, with reports that around 10,000 apps are already compatible with Harmony OS Next, with a goal of reaching 100,000 apps within months.