HarmonyOS Archives

AppWizard

March 21, 2025

Huawei Pura X flip phone launched; sideways form factor, no Android apps

Huawei has launched the Huawei Pura X smartphone in China, which is the first Huawei device to operate without Android, using HarmonyOS Next instead. The Pura X does not support Android applications and does not offer a choice between Android and HarmonyOS. The phone features a 3.5-inch outer OLED screen, a 6.3-inch foldable OLED screen, and a triple rear camera system with a 50MP main sensor. It is powered by the Kirin 9020 chip, supports up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, and has a 4720mAh battery with fast charging capabilities. The device is priced at CNY 7499 (approximately ₹89,000) and is unlikely to be available in India due to its lack of Android compatibility.

Winsage

March 19, 2025

Huawei’s HarmonyOS PCs set to launch in 2025, rumors of Windows exit intensify

Huawei has faced challenges in obtaining technologies since being placed on the US Entity List in 2019, impacting both its smartphone and PC divisions. The license for Windows operating systems for PCs is set to expire, raising concerns about Huawei's ability to compete in the global PC market. In response, Huawei is investing in its own operating system, HarmonyOS, and strengthening partnerships with local suppliers while exploring new markets.

Winsage

March 19, 2025

Huawei Continues Its Move Away From American Software

Huawei is shifting away from reliance on American software and is preparing to introduce alternatives to Microsoft Windows due to being placed on the U.S. Entity List, which limits its access to American software and services. Since launching HarmonyOS in 2021, Huawei is now set to launch its own desktop operating systems as its Microsoft license nears expiration, making it unlikely to receive an extension. Huawei plans to expand HarmonyOS into desktop and laptop PCs, potentially using the Android Open Source Project as a foundation, and may also consider various Linux distributions as alternatives to Windows. This shift could impact Microsoft's market share, especially in regions outside the U.S., and may provide opportunities for Linux to gain popularity as it closes the functionality gap with Windows.

Winsage

March 18, 2025

Huawei about to lose Windows licence

Huawei's relationship with the United States has deteriorated as Microsoft's supply license is set to expire, putting Huawei's Windows-based PCs at risk. Without an extension, Huawei may have to abandon Windows and switch to Linux or its HarmonyOS. The company plans to launch an "AI PC" powered by its Kunpeng CPU and HarmonyOS in April, targeting the Chinese market. Additionally, Huawei will introduce the MateBook D16 Linux Edition, but Linux holds only a 3.8 percent share of the consumer market compared to Windows' 70.65 percent. The success of Huawei's laptops outside China may depend on the acceptance of HarmonyOS and alternative operating systems amidst US sanctions.

Winsage

March 15, 2025

Huawei’s Microsoft Windows license for PCs expires this month, company launching PCs with Harmony OS: Report

Microsoft's supply license to Huawei is set to expire this month, preventing Huawei from legally producing and selling PCs with the Windows operating system. Without an extension, Huawei may shift towards open-source Linux distributions or further develop its own HarmonyOS. The company is expected to unveil a new PC model in April featuring HarmonyOS and plans to launch an 'AI PC' laptop using its Kunpeng CPU. Additionally, Huawei will introduce the MateBook D16 Linux Edition, transitioning from Windows to Linux. As of February 2025, Windows holds a 70.65% market share in desktop and laptop operating systems, followed by macOS at 16%, Linux at 3.8%, and ChromeOS at 1.81%.

AppWizard

February 18, 2025

Tencent

Tencent has begun beta testing a new search function in Weixin, China's largest messaging app, powered by DeepSeek. Users can select an "AI Search" option in the search bar, utilizing both DeepSeek and Tencent's Hunyuan foundational model. This feature is exclusive to Weixin and not available on WeChat. The DeepSeek-R1 model, launched on January 20, offers advanced reasoning capabilities at lower training costs compared to AI models from OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google. Approximately 1.3 billion active Weixin users will benefit from this integration for various functions. Users can observe the reasoning process during queries, and DeepSeek-R1 has also been integrated into Tencent's AI chatbot application, Yuanbao. Chinese telecom operators have started using DeepSeek's models, and smartphone manufacturers like Huawei, Oppo, Honor, and Vivo are adopting the DeepSeek-R1 model in their devices.

BetaBeacon

December 12, 2024

Epic Games Store Will Now Come Preinstalled In Some Android Phones And Devices

Epic Games and Telefónica have announced a partnership to make Fortnite and the Epic Games Store more accessible on Telefónica Android devices in several countries. This deal could pave the way for Xbox Games to be available on their Android Xbox app as well.

AppWizard

December 9, 2024

Surprise! Huawei’s HarmonyOS NEXT can run Android apps

Huawei has introduced HarmonyOS NEXT, an operating system that operates independently of Android and is designed to run only native applications. However, a workaround allows users to access Android apps through an emulator called "EasyAbroad," available in Huawei's AppGallery. All devices launching in 2025, including the Mate 70 series, will come pre-installed with HarmonyOS NEXT, which is currently in public beta testing. The "EasyAbroad" emulator enables users to install popular Android applications such as YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Google Search, Google Maps, Chrome, Gmail, Disney Plus, and Netflix (in SD quality only). The emulator includes its own app store but does not allow users to create individual app icons for the installed apps on their home screens. There may be limitations regarding notifications and alerts for these Android applications. The emulator operates smoothly, aided by microG, an open-source implementation of Google libraries that substitutes Google Play Services. Huawei's shift towards developing HarmonyOS began after being placed on the Entity List in 2019, which cut off its access to U.S. supply chains, including Google.

AppWizard

December 6, 2024

Huawei users found a new way to run Android apps in HarmonyOS NEXT

A beta tester discovered that Huawei's HarmonyOS NEXT can run Android applications through an emulator called "EzsyAbroad." This emulator allows users to access Android apps on HarmonyOS NEXT devices, particularly useful for those needing Google Mobile Services while traveling outside China. It operates within a separate container and provides its own app store, where popular applications like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Google Search, Google Maps, Chrome, Gmail, Disney Plus, and Netflix can be downloaded. Performance tests indicate that Android applications run smoothly, although some may not be compatible, and the emulator supports microG, which limits certain functionalities. Users cannot move the applications from the emulator's folder to other locations on the device.

AppWizard

November 26, 2024

Huawei’s Mate 70 smartphones will run its new Android-free OS

Huawei has launched the Mate 70 series, which includes the Mate 70, Mate 70 Pro, Mate 70 Pro Plus, and Mate 70 RS, featuring the new HarmonyOS Next that is not compatible with Android apps. The Mate 70 has a 6.7-inch display, 5,300mAh battery, 66W fast charging, and a camera setup with a 50MP main camera. It starts at 5,499 yuan for the 12GB RAM and 256GB storage variant. The Mate 70 Pro offers Wi-Fi 7 and enhanced satellite communication, starting at 6,499 yuan. The Mate 70 Pro Plus has upgraded camera sensors and starts at 8,499 yuan. The Mate 70 RS features premium materials and starts at 11,999 yuan. The specific processors used in the Mate 70 series have not been disclosed, but previous models used chips from China's SMIC. Additionally, Huawei introduced the Mate X6 foldable smartphone with a 7.93-inch internal display and a 6.45-inch external display. It features a 50MP main camera, 48MP telephoto periscope camera, and 40MP ultra-wide camera. The standard model has 12GB of RAM, 512GB of storage, and a 5,110mAh battery, priced at 12,999 yuan. A collector’s edition with 16GB of RAM and a 5,200mAh battery will be available for 14,999 yuan.