Huawei's HarmonyOS NEXT Breaks Free from Android: A New Era of Independence

BigGo Editorial Team
Huawei's HarmonyOS NEXT Breaks Free from Android: A New Era of Independence

In a significant move that marks Huawei's complete technological independence, the Chinese tech giant has unveiled HarmonyOS NEXT, its first operating system built entirely without Android or Linux kernel code.

A Fresh Start with Native Architecture

HarmonyOS NEXT represents a complete departure from its predecessor, which was based on the Android Open Source Project (AOSP). The new OS features:

  • A self-developed microkernel based on OpenHarmony
  • Custom Star Shield architecture for enhanced security
  • Proprietary Huawei Ark compiler
  • Integration with Huawei Mobile Services (HMS)

Performance Improvements and Features

The new operating system brings several notable enhancements:

  • System Performance

    • 30% increase in device fluency
    • 20% reduction in power consumption
    • Faster app launch speeds
    • Improved file sharing (1.2GB transfer in 8 seconds via Huawei Share 2.0)
  • User Interface

    • Refreshed visual identity
    • New lockscreen customization options
    • Redesigned control center
    • Enhanced animation system

AI Integration and Ecosystem

HarmonyOS NEXT comes with:

  • System-level AI powered by Pangu large language model
  • Cloud-based interconnectivity
  • Support for 15,000 native apps and services
  • Cross-device compatibility (smartphones, wearables, smart home devices, and vehicle systems)

Current Availability

The public beta is currently rolling out in China, with initial support for:

  • Pura 70 series
  • Huawei Pocket 2
  • MatePad Pro 11 (2024)

While the initial release is China-focused, Huawei has confirmed plans for a future global rollout. This marks a crucial step in Huawei's strategy to create a completely independent ecosystem, following years of U.S. trade restrictions.