Huawei has recently unveiled HarmonyOS NEXT, a major upgrade to its operating system. This new version is completely independent of Android, meaning it does not support Android-based apps. According to reports from Android Headlines, HarmonyOS NEXT is built on the open-source OpenHarmony project.
The initial launch of HarmonyOS NEXT will be in China, with plans for a global release in the future. While the new OS shares similarities with the original HarmonyOS, there are notable differences highlighted by Android Headlines. These include a revamped lock screen with enhanced customization options, a redesigned control center, and faster animations. The home screen, however, closely resembles the previous HarmonyOS design.
HarmonyOS NEXT integrates advanced AI capabilities at the system level, leveraging the Pangu large language model. Additionally, Huawei has introduced a new security feature known as “Star Shield” to provide comprehensive protection for devices running HarmonyOS NEXT.
During the announcement of the new OS, Richard Yu, Chairman of Huawei Consumer Business Group, revealed that the HarmonyOS NEXT ecosystem now includes 15,000 apps and services.
Due to stringent restrictions on Huawei products in the U.S., HarmonyOS NEXT was developed as an Android-free platform. While Huawei products are not completely banned for purchase by consumers in the U.S., they are notably difficult to find. Furthermore, the U.S. government has prohibited the use of Huawei products at the federal level due to national security concerns.
Currently, HarmonyOS NEXT is in public beta testing in China and is compatible with devices such as the Huawei Pura 70 series, Huawei Pocket 2, and Huawei MatePad Pro 11 (2024).
In addition to the OS upgrade, Huawei has introduced several new products in recent months, including Android-based tablets like the MatePad Pro 12.2 and MatePad 12 X, as well as new smartwatches.
