HUAWEI has unveiled its latest operating system, HarmonyOS Next, marking a significant milestone for the company. For the first time ever, the OS is built on HUAWEI’s in-house kernel, completely independent from AOSP (Android Open Source Project). The Mate 70 series, Mate X6 foldable, and the newly launched MatePad Pro tablet are the first devices to ship with HarmonyOS Next, setting the stage for its broader rollout.
Richard Yu, CEO of HUAWEI, emphasized that HarmonyOS Next is just the beginning, with plans to power all HUAWEI devices released in 2025. However, there’s an important caveat: this change will initially apply only to devices launched in China, as HUAWEI continues to face challenges in expanding the OS internationally.
HarmonyOS Next: A Bold Vision, But Challenges Loom
While HUAWEI is pushing forward with its in-house OS, analysts point to one major hurdle: app availability. According to Rich Bishop, CEO of AppInChina, attracting international developers to create apps for the Chinese market is a tough sell, as they are unlikely to make substantial revenue. The lack of popular apps, especially international ones, could deter consumers from adopting HarmonyOS Next devices, particularly if key apps are missing. Moreover, users who travel abroad may face issues with app compatibility outside of China.
Despite these challenges, Richard Yu stated that users will have the option to choose between HarmonyOS 4.3 or HarmonyOS Next when purchasing HUAWEI devices. This flexibility is reflected in the various SKU numbers(Stock Keeping Units) found on HUAWEI’s product listings, indicating that customers can select their preferred operating system version.
HarmonyOS Market Share: Dominance in China, Struggles Globally
As of now, HarmonyOS holds a 17% market share in China, surpassing iOS at 16%. However, Android remains the dominant OS in the country, holding a commanding 68% share. On the global stage, the situation is much less favorable for HUAWEI. HarmonyOS claims a modest 4% market share, while Android leads with a staggering 80%, followed by iOS at 16%.
The absence of Google Mobile Services (GMS) continues to impact HUAWEI’s growth. Once a contender for the world’s top smartphone brand, HUAWEI now finds itself outside the top five in global smartphone sales. Nevertheless, the company remains determined to stay relevant in the highly competitive smartphone market.
International Expansion: A Long Road Ahead
Despite these hurdles, HUAWEI is not backing down. The company continues to expand its ecosystem by securing international partnerships. For instance, Grab, a leading ride-hailing platform in Southeast Asia, and Emirates, the Dubai-based airline, are both onboard with HarmonyOS by offering apps compatible with the OS. HUAWEI hopes that other international developers will follow suit and begin developing apps for HarmonyOS Next to enhance its appeal outside China.
Looking Ahead: The Future of HarmonyOS Next
While the HarmonyOS Next ecosystem is still in its early stages, HUAWEI’s long-term vision for the operating system is clear. The company plans to make HarmonyOS Next the standard for all its devices by 2025, but achieving significant global adoption will require overcoming the persistent app availability issue and gaining wider developer support.
As HUAWEI continues to roll out its new OS domestically, global users will have to wait a bit longer before HarmonyOS Next becomes a viable option outside of China. With its increasing focus on partnerships and local market strategies, HUAWEI hopes to position HarmonyOS as a serious contender in the global smartphone OS market in the coming years.
Conclusion: HarmonyOS Next Holds Promise, But App Ecosystem Is Crucial
HUAWEI’s HarmonyOS Next marks a bold new chapter in the company’s smartphone strategy, offering a unique operating system built on its own kernel. While HarmonyOS Next shows promise in China, the major challenge lies in building a robust app ecosystem for global markets.
The success of HarmonyOS Next will depend on HUAWEI’s ability to attract international developers and ensure compatibility with widely used apps, both within China and abroad. For now, the future of HarmonyOS Next remains uncertain outside of China, with much work to be done to make it a competitive global platform.
