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:
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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)
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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.