Huawei has officially revealed the upgrade roadmap for its newest HarmonyOS NEXT operating system. While developer beta testing begins today for a limited number of users, the general public will need to wait until later this year to experience the new OS.
Currently, the developer beta testing program is open to a restricted group. Huawei is recruiting developers along with 3,000 pioneer users to initially test HarmonyOS NEXT.
Initial Rollout
The first wave of the rollout focuses on flagship devices, with the Huawei Mate 60 and Mate X5 series, as well as the MatePad Pro 13.2 tablet, being the primary recipients. These high-end models will have access to the developer beta starting from today, June 21st.
A broader beta program will commence in August 2024, including the aforementioned flagship models along with the Pura 70 series phones, the Pocket 2 foldable phone, FreeBuds Pro 3 earbuds, and the 2024 refresh of the MatePad Pro 11 tablet.
Timeline for Stable Release
The stable version of HarmonyOS NEXT will not be available for these flagship devices until Q4 of 2024. At that point, the devices mentioned earlier are anticipated to receive the final, fully polished version of the operating system.
For mid-range device users such as those with the Nova series and budget tablets like the MatePad 11, the wait is even longer. These models are scheduled for the beta program only in Q4, with a possible stable release sometime in 2025.
Details about the upgrade path for older devices remain vague, with Huawei simply advising users to "Stay tuned" for further announcements. Below is a list of Huawei devices that will receive the HarmonyOS NEXT update:
| Release Window | Products |
|---|---|
| Developer Beta Testing (June 21) | Huawei Mate 60 Series, Huawei Mate X5 Series, Huawei MatePad Pro 13.2 tablet |
| August 2024 (Beta) | Huawei Mate 60 series, Huawei Mate X5 series, Huawei Pura 70 series, Huawei Pocket 2 series, Huawei FreeBuds Pro 3, Huawei MatePad Pro 13.2, Huawei MatePad Pro 11 2024 |
| Q4 2024 (Stable) | Huawei Mate 60 series, Huawei Mate X5 series, Huawei Pura 70 series, Huawei Pocket 2 series, Huawei FreeBuds Pro 3, Huawei MatePad Pro 13.2, Huawei MatePad Pro 11 2024 |
| Q4 2024 (Beta) | Huawei Nova 12 series, Huawei MatePad 11.5-inch S series, Huawei Watch Ultimate, Huawei Watch Ultimate Design Edition, Huawei Watch GT 4 series, Huawei FreeClip, Huawei Smart Glasses 2 |
Participation Details
Developers and pioneer users can sign up for the current beta program from June 21st to June 28th. Huawei will review applications and select participants based on their requirements and the type of build they need. Developers with existing apps on the AppGallery will be given priority, according to Huawei.
Selected participants are advised to back up their data before installing the beta software to avoid any potential data loss. Additionally, those who find the beta experience challenging will have the option to revert to their current OS through the settings menu.
