New devices in 2025 will run on native HarmonyOS, ditching Android: Huawei

Huawei is ready to drop Android support for its devices (phones/tablets) in favor of the native HarmonyOS software system by 2025. The company has said these words during the Mate 70 series launch event and highlighted a few important details.

The Chinese OEM unveiled Mate 70 models on November 26. At the event, the tech maker shared how HarmonyOS NEXT will expand its reach in the consumer market.

Richard Yu, the Chairman of Huawei Consumer Business Group mentioned that all of its new devices (phones and tablets) coming in 2025 will use native HarmonyOS.

This further implies that future smartphones and tablets will completely ditch support for Android apps and rely on the HarmonyOS NEXT operating system.

“Starting next year, all new Huawei phones and tablets will directly equip HarmonyOS NEXT.”

Huawei is taking these steps to become self-reliant. The company has been using Android components like Linux and codes to build its HarmonyOS software for years. But after the tougher US sanctions, the OEM decided to become independent.

The HarmonyOS NEXT operating system is built with self-developed parts like the harmony kernel, Pangu AI model, Cangjie language, and more. As a result, it doesn’t support Android apps but only native HarmonyOS apps and services.

Huawei HarmonyOS NEXT 5 (source – Huawei)

Analysts’ View:

However, some analysts see the HarmonyOS NEXT rollout as a challenge. Rich Bishop – the CEO of AppInChina says that the HarmonyOS ecosystem has limited apps that are currently compatible with the native software. It requires more time to mature.

“If a user isn’t able to access even one app that they use on a regular basis, then this is likely to put them off from buying a Next device. Users will also face substantial challenges when traveling abroad where the vast majority of apps that they’ll need to use will not be available on Next.” – says Rich Bishop.

Foreign developers often deny stepping into the HarmonyOS ecosystem due to little money and highly priced app development. Even though the new HarmonyOS NEXT is usable, it still requires more maturity to become perfect for consumers.

Another analyst – Will Wong from IDC Asia-Pacific says:

“HarmonyOS NEXT development is still largely focused on the Chinese market, as it remains challenging to break the consumer stickiness with the Google Mobile Services ecosystem outside China. Once Huawei conquers the learning curve, it could help a better roll-out outside China.”

Eric Xu – the Rotating Chairman of Huawei recently said that the company aims to develop around 100000 apps in 2025. The efforts are in progress and positive results will soon hit the surface.

Huawei HarmonyOS NEXT (Source – Huawei)

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