Huawei Abandons Android in Major Tech Shift Towards Homegrown Software
Beijing, China — Huawei Technologies Co. announced a significant pivot in its technology strategy, confirming that from next year, its smartphones and tablets will no longer use Google’s open-source Android operating system. Instead, the Chinese tech giant will fully embrace its own HarmonyOS Next, marking a decisive step towards independence from US technology.
At a live-streamed event on Tuesday, Huawei unveiled its latest flagship device, the Mate 70, which will debut HarmonyOS Next. This iteration of its operating system eliminates the remnants of Android, positioning Huawei as a pioneer in developing indigenous technology in the face of stringent US trade restrictions.
A Strategic Leap for Huawei
The Mate 70 and Mate 70 Pro, available from December 4, are successors to the groundbreaking Mate 60, which revitalised Huawei’s presence in the smartphone industry last year. The Mate 60 was powered by a domestically developed processor, demonstrating Huawei’s capability to circumvent US-imposed trade curbs designed to restrict its access to cutting-edge chip technology.
Priced at 5,499 yuan ($760) for the 6.7-inch model, the Mate 70 series is said to offer 40% better performance than its predecessor, bolstered by the HarmonyOS Next. Richard Yu, chairman of Huawei’s consumer business group, stated that while HarmonyOS Next may require an additional two to three months of refinement, it represents the future of the company’s devices.
Yu refrained from disclosing specifics about the processors powering the new series. However, analysts speculate that Huawei’s in-house Kirin chip is likely at the heart of the Mate 70. While the performance of these chips may lag behind competitors such as Qualcomm and MediaTek, Huawei remains undeterred in its mission to build a robust, self-sufficient tech ecosystem.
Challenging the Dominance of Apple and Android
Huawei’s latest move is part of a broader campaign to reclaim China’s premium smartphone market, which is currently dominated by Apple. While Apple is set to adopt 2nm chip technology in upcoming devices, Huawei faces limitations with its current 7nm chipmaking process, which may persist until at least 2026. Despite these hurdles, Huawei is aiming to manufacture over 10 million units of the Mate 70 during its lifecycle, according to Counterpoint analyst Zhang Mengmeng.
The company’s trajectory mirrors a larger trend among Chinese tech firms seeking to reduce reliance on foreign technology. For example, Xiaomi is developing its own mobile processors to decrease dependency on Qualcomm and MediaTek.
A Track Record of Resilience
Despite US sanctions and technological challenges, Huawei has demonstrated remarkable resilience. Over the past seven quarters, the company achieved steady sales growth, largely driven by a revitalised smartphone business. Research firm IDC reported four consecutive quarters of double-digit growth in Huawei’s smartphone shipments within China as of September.
More Read
This growth has been buoyed by innovative products like the world’s first trifold phone, powered by in-house chips, introduced earlier this year. Huawei also revealed other luxury offerings at Tuesday’s event, including a gold-plated smartwatch priced at 23,999 yuan and a new tablet, underscoring its ability to cater to high-end consumers.
The Road Ahead
While HarmonyOS Next signals a bold step forward, challenges remain. Analysts from Bloomberg Intelligence caution that the Mate 70 may struggle to capture the attention of non-Huawei Android users, given that its performance gains may not match the top-end offerings from competitors. However, Huawei’s strategy is more about building a self-reliant ecosystem than merely competing on specifications.
As the geopolitical landscape continues to shape the tech industry, Huawei’s decision to abandon Android underscores a broader trend of decoupling from US technology. By leaning into homegrown innovation, Huawei is not only charting its path forward but also inspiring other Chinese tech giants to follow suit.
For Huawei, the stakes are high, but the company remains steadfast in its vision to redefine its future, one device at a time.
