HarmonyOS NEXT Public Beta Review: Surpassing Apple? Both Surprises and Shortcomings Exist

HarmonyOS NEXT Public Beta Review: Surpassing Apple? Both Surprises and Shortcomings ExistHonestly, when I first got my hands on the HarmonyOS NEXT public beta, I didn't feel any disconnect. If you're accustomed to HarmonyOS or domestic UI customization systems, you won't feel much difference

HarmonyOS NEXT Public Beta Review: Surpassing Apple? Both Surprises and Shortcomings Exist

Honestly, when I first got my hands on the HarmonyOS NEXT public beta, I didn't feel any disconnect. If you're accustomed to HarmonyOS or domestic UI customization systems, you won't feel much difference. To judge how good an operating system is, consumers need to consider aspects like system fluency, animation effects, app compatibility, interface design, privacy control, theme design, etc. Stability and compatibility are also crucial. If it doesn't provide a truly superior user experience, it will be difficult for brands to attract users.

However, when it comes to operating systems, the current Huawei HarmonyOS NEXT is undeniably attractive and has garnered significant attention from consumers. I borrowed a friend's Huawei Mate60 Pro and upgraded it to experience the new OS firsthand. So, here are my thoughts.

Without exaggeration, the animation effects in HarmonyOS NEXT have surpassed, or at least matched, Apple's. Huawei has truly outdone themselves this time; this is not an exaggeration. The new system interface features a brighter color scheme and more logical layout, giving an overall vibrant feel. The interface design does bear some resemblance to Apple's iOS, but maintains Huawei's unique style. It's worth noting that the blue wave theme really caught my eye, although this is just my personal opinion, not necessarily everyone's.

It must be acknowledged that HarmonyOS NEXT is highly stable and performs smoothly. After the upgrade, I noticed very little heat generation on the Huawei Mate60 Pro. However, there are a few things to be aware of beforehand. Third-party app functionalities are still under development, resulting in frequent updates. During my two-day experience, I encountered multiple updates. Also, if you regret the upgrade, you can revert back to the original system in the developer options.

Currently, WeChat is not available, but it will certainly be included in the official release, so don't worry. My current feeling is that I wouldn't recommend upgrading your main device. If you do upgrade, make sure to back up your data beforehand to avoid loss.

Of course, there are significant changes in details. To summarize: In HarmonyOS NEXT, when you pull down the control center, you'll find more large icons. Also, the XiaoYi assistant is now permanently at the bottom of the screen, allowing you to long-press to use it or directly drag in text, images, etc. for recognition or processing.

In the photo gallery, HarmonyOS NEXT has moved the selection button to the top right corner. You now need to tap the button before selecting all or multiple photos. In the camera, HarmonyOS NEXT has redesigned the zoom scale as a semi-circular dial with haptic feedback. The lock screen now includes several shortcut button icons in the bottom left corner.

Just from these changes, it's clear that the HarmonyOS NEXT public beta version offers a robust style, making the official release highly anticipated. However, I feel that while most major applications and mainstream apps are available, they primarily provide basic functionality that cannot compare to the Android versions. My friend argued that these simple functionalities are sufficient, with minimal ads and even many functions that are rarely used, ensuring a clean and concise experience.

Regarding WeChat, it is currently in an invitation-only beta, and it's unclear who has been invited. It's not yet available in the app store's "Try It Out" section, so we'll have to wait. However, many users have gotten their hands on the beta, and based on the screenshots shared, the native HarmonyOS version of WeChat feels truly clean. The "Discover" and "Me" sections have only two simple entry points. Even after entering "Services," only payment and wallet options appear at the top. Importantly, the Moments feed is refreshingly clean without any ads, resembling the initial version of WeChat from years ago. This might be the version many users have been waiting for, but it doesn't support features like voice-to-text, leading to some usability issues.

Ultimately, the current experience of HarmonyOS NEXT is solid, but the ecosystem is still a "bare-bones" version that requires further development. Have any of you upgraded and experienced it yourselves? Let's hear your thoughts!