Next week, Huawei will finally be dethroned from the Android throne with its first phone arriving without Google. The company has been working on a new kind of custom software called ‘HarmonyOS Next’ that it will bring to all eligible devices, both released and planned for release. This marks Huawei’s definitive departure from Android.
All About the Huawei HarmonyOS Next
Huawei has been working on HarmonyOS for years now, as it sought to cut ties with Google and the Android platform. Certainly, a boon if it works out the way Microsoft promises, although bear in mind that only a limited number of apps are available. One of the applications developed by Huawei for HarmonyOS. As per a statement from the company, apps essential to 99.9% of those used on the current OS will be supported, with an increase in that list to over 10,000 mobile and computing app categories.
HarmonyOS began as a proprietary skin on top of Android but is now transforming into its own native OS for Huawei smartphones and tablets. Its app ecosystem is growing to rival that of Android. The other product launched was HarmonyOS Next, set to roll out from next week onwards on compatible devices as part of Huawei’s plan to eliminate Android completely.
Previously, it was reported that HarmonyOS held a 17% market share in China during the first quarter of this year, a notable achievement for a platform moving beyond Android or iOS. The rollout of the update will reportedly begin on October 15, which is when Google is likely to announce its next version, Android 15. The Mate 60, Mate X5, and the new tri-fold Mate XT is also headed to pick up HarmonyOS at some point in the future along with the company’s Matepad Pro.
As the update approaches, questions remain about any unique features Huawei may introduce that competitors do not offer. Additionally, the company’s strategy regarding AI integration is still unknown, leaving uncertainty about how it will compete with Android and iOS. We will keep you updated once the update is available, so stay tuned.
FAQs
When will HarmonyOS Next be available?
HarmonyOS Next is set to launch on October 15 for compatible devices.
Which devices will receive the HarmonyOS Next update first?
The first devices to receive the update will include the Mate 60, Mate X5, and MatePad Pro.
