HarmonyOS NEXT: Accelerating Huawei's "Pure-Blood HarmonyOS" Strategy and Future Outlook

HarmonyOS NEXT: Accelerating Huawei's "Pure-Blood HarmonyOS" Strategy and Future OutlookThis HarmonyOS NEXT upgrade temporarily disabled features like Super Device call transfer, call projection, and screen sharing. This caused inconvenience for users who relied on these functions

HarmonyOS NEXT: Accelerating Huawei's "Pure-Blood HarmonyOS" Strategy and Future Outlook

In today's fiercely competitive global technology landscape, the operating system, as the core of smart devices, has become crucial for tech giants to build ecological barriers. Huawei's HarmonyOS, launched in 2019, has continuously challenged traditional operating system paradigms with its distributed architecture and all-scenario interconnection concept. Now, the continuous iteration of HarmonyOS NEXT marks the accelerated advancement of Huawei's "pure-blood HarmonyOS" strategy, with a series of devices equipped with the native HarmonyOS system on the horizon. However, the HarmonyOS NEXT upgrade hasn't been without its challenges, with the temporary suspension of some features drawing user attention.

This HarmonyOS NEXT upgrade temporarily disabled features like Super Device call transfer, call projection, and screen sharing. This caused inconvenience for users who relied on these functions. Huawei officially explained that the suspension wasn't simply a "subtraction" but a preparation for a more thorough cross-device collaboration upgrade, aiming for a completely new form of these features in the second quarter of 2025. This reflects Huawei's deep restructuring of its distributed architecture.

Currently, Super Device services already enable seamless audio and video calls across phones, tablets, smart screens, and in-car systems. For example, calls automatically transfer to the car system while driving and then to the smart screen at home. The next generation of Super Device is expected to break free from device limitations, integrating spatial computing capabilities to intelligently adapt the call interface to the user's environment. The screen sharing function upgrade may also incorporate real-time annotation and AR technology, providing a richer interactive experience.

These features are officially expected to return in the second quarter of 2025. This timeline isn't arbitrary but closely linked to the iterative rhythm of HarmonyOS NEXT. The recently released HarmonyOS NEXT 5.0.0.130 version indicates the system is still undergoing continuous optimization and requires time to reach its optimal state. Therefore, users can expect a system upgrade including these new features around the beginning of the second quarter.

Beyond feature upgrades, HarmonyOS NEXT's ecosystem construction is also accelerating. The new Huawei Pocket3 will be the first to feature the native HarmonyOS system, indicating a significant expansion of the HarmonyOS ecosystem. Furthermore, the Huawei Nova 14 series, Huawei Pura80 series, and Huawei Enjoy 70X+ are also expected to be equipped with the native HarmonyOS system, accelerating system optimization and iteration. Notably, these models will all feature Kirin processors, further enhancing Huawei's market competitiveness.

Software ecosystem improvement is also paramount. Recently, the native HarmonyOS version of WeChat 1.0.0.4.35 officially launched on Huawei's app market, initially compatible with MatePad series tablets, indicating mainstream applications are actively embracing the HarmonyOS ecosystem. Additionally, Huawei is about to release five Linux-based laptops, including the MateBook D14, MateBook D16, MateBook 14, MateBook GT14, and MateBook X Pro. While not entirely new models, the inclusion of Linux suggests the arrival of HarmonyOS PCs, expected in the second or third quarter, further expanding the HarmonyOS ecosystem's application scenarios.

Huawei's strategic layout is clear: temporarily delaying some feature updates to focus on improving the system architecture and the native application ecosystem. Huawei is building a technological moat across imaging, interaction, and security. As more developers join the native HarmonyOS application camp, an ecosystem independent of the Android framework will accelerate its formation, providing strong momentum for HarmonyOS's development.

A mature and complete HarmonyOS will undoubtedly put immense pressure on competitors, especially in the current market dominated by Android. HarmonyOS NEXT is poised to create a three-way standoff with iOS and Android, and the final outcome is highly anticipated.

Huawei's progress in the operating system field is remarkable. For Huawei users, patient waiting is worthwhile. The future of HarmonyOS NEXT is full of possibilities. It's more than just an operating system upgrade; it represents Huawei's firm steps in building an independent ecosystem. The future development of HarmonyOS NEXT deserves our continued attention.

Ultimately, the success of HarmonyOS NEXT will depend not only on technical strength but also on the intensity and speed of ecosystem development. Only with sufficiently rich applications and complete services can it attract more users and developers, creating a virtuous cycle. Whether Huawei can stand out in this fiercely competitive market will depend on its strategic execution capabilities and market responsiveness in the coming period. Let's wait and see. What are your expectations for HarmonyOS NEXT? Share your thoughts in the comments.