Earlier this month, Huawei released a public beta update for the Mate 60 series, Mate X5 series, and the MatePad Pro 13.2-inch series. Now, the company is extending this update to eight additional devices.
New Devices Included
The new devices that are eligible for the beta upgrade include the Pura 70, Huawei Pura 70 Satellite Messaging Edition, Pura 70 Pro, Pura 70 Pro+, Pura 70 Ultra, Pocket 2, Pocket 2 Art Custom Edition, and MatePad Pro 11-inch (2024). Owners of these models can apply for the beta upgrade via the “My Huawei” app, specifically in the “Early Access” section.
A Major Shift in Software
The latest version of HarmonyOS, named HarmonyOS Next, signifies a major transformation in Huawei’s software. It now operates on a single-framework architecture, meaning that it is no longer compatible with Android. This shift makes HarmonyOS Next a completely self-developed operating system that depends solely on the HarmonyOS kernel.
Nonetheless, rumors suggest that Huawei might adopt a dual-OS strategy for the upcoming Mate 70 series, allowing support for both HarmonyOS Next and Android apps. This speculation, shared by leaker RuiPlaysDigital, aims to meet the needs of both Chinese users who are accustomed to HarmonyOS and global users who need Android compatibility, especially for Google apps limited by US trade rules.
Evolution of HarmonyOS
HarmonyOS was initially introduced in 2015 and officially launched in 2019, receiving four major updates since then. In January 2024, Huawei introduced HarmonyOS Next, which is designed for a fully native HarmonyOS experience, concentrating only on applications developed for the HarmonyOS environment.
Currently, the top 5,000 apps in China are being developed natively for HarmonyOS, with the HarmonyOS Next App Store offering over 10,000 apps and services, covering nearly all essential usage requirements.
Market Growth
According to a recent report from Counterpoint Research, HarmonyOS has significantly increased its market share in China, rising from 8% in Q1 2023 to 17% in Q1 2024. In contrast, iOS's market share decreased from 20% to 16% during the same period, positioning HarmonyOS as the second-largest operating system in China, overtaking Apple's iOS.
Huawei’s Xu Zhijun pointed out that for HarmonyOS to truly function as a mobile operating system, it requires a strong ecosystem. The aim is to enhance coordination among apps, the OS, and hardware, which would lead to a better user experience.
Today, Huawei is hosting an event in China to officially unveil HarmonyOS Next alongside the Nova 13 series. The Mate 70 series is expected to be launched in November.
