Huawei Technologies is making a strategic move away from Android compatibility with the upcoming release of its HarmonyOS Next platform, according to reports from domestic financial media Caixin. The company plans to introduce a developer version of the new platform in the second quarter of this year, followed by a full commercial version in the fourth quarter. This decision to detach from Android apps underscores Huawei’s commitment to strengthening its proprietary software ecosystem.
The journey to Harmony OS began in 2019 when Huawei initially unveiled the operating system. The push towards its adoption on smartphones gained momentum a year later, driven in part by restrictions imposed by the United States, which limited Huawei’s access to Google’s technical support for its Android mobile OS. However, earlier versions of Harmony allowed compatibility with Android apps. The new report suggests that this feature will no longer be retained in the upcoming iteration.
Huawei, known for its resilience in the face of challenges, surprised the tech community last August with the launch of the Mate60 series of smartphones. These devices are believed to be powered by a domestically developed chipset, marking a significant milestone in Huawei’s return to the high-end smartphone market. The move came after years of grappling with US sanctions.
Despite challenges, Huawei remains optimistic about its financial outlook. An internal message from the company last month revealed expectations of surpassing 700 billion yuan ($97.3 billion) in revenue for 2023, reflecting a 9% year-on-year growth.
As Huawei navigates the changing landscape of the smartphone industry and seeks independence from external operating systems, the HarmonyOS Next platform aims to solidify the company’s position in the software domain.
