Huawei Unveils Android-Free Operating System

Huawei has unveiled its new operating system, which operates independently from Android, marking a significant milestone in the development of its proprietary technology.

HarmonyOS Next, Huawei’s New Ace

Chinese tech giant Huawei has recently launched its latest smartphone models, the Mate 70 and the foldable Mate X6, powered by HarmonyOS Next, Huawei’s newest mobile operating system. According to Bloomberg, this system no longer contains any elements of the open-source Android code.

100% Chinese Chips to Bypass American Restrictions

Launching in China on December 4, the Mate 70 represents a significant breakthrough for Huawei. It follows the Mate 60, which was a pivotal device as the first Huawei smartphone to feature a completely Chinese-manufactured processor. This innovation has allowed Huawei to sidestep U.S. trade restrictions. However, Huawei’s technology is currently limited to 7-nanometer chips for the coming years, while Apple is already gearing up for 2-nanometer chips.

HarmonyOS, a Fully In-House Operating System

Long aiming to produce its own chips and software, Huawei announced in 2012 its plans to develop its operating system, anticipating potential denial from Google. Seven years later, Huawei confirmed the creation of HarmonyOS. Though initially using much of Android’s open-source code, Huawei claims the latest version is completely free from Android.

Allegations of Trade Secret Theft

Despite these developments, Huawei has been accused of illicitly receiving TSMC chips through a third party. The U.S. imposed trade sanctions on Huawei following attempts by the company to steal trade secrets from T-Mobile and to evade sanctions against Iran. Despite these allegations, Huawei plans to install HarmonyOS on all its future smartphones. The Mate 70 models start at $760 for the 6.7-inch edition, with prices rising for the pro models, promising a 40% performance boost, partly due to the new operating system.