Huawei launches milestone smartphone with homegrown operating system
- Huawei's Mate 70 smartphone will be launched with its own HarmonyOS Next, challenging Western mobile operating systems.
- The launch is part of Huawei's strategies to recover from the effects of US sanctions since 2019.
- The success of HarmonyOS Next is crucial for Huawei's future and the broader self-reliance trend in the Chinese tech industry.
On November 26, 2024, in Shenzhen, China, Huawei is set to unveil its first smartphone featuring HarmonyOS Next, a fully homegrown operating system. This event marks a significant step for the firm in its bid to rival the dominance of Western companies like Apple and Google, which currently control the majority of the mobile operating system market. The new Mate 70 device is a culmination of Huawei's efforts to recover from severe US sanctions imposed since 2019, which had initially devastated its sales and production capabilities. More than three million units of the Mate 70 have been pre-ordered, showcasing public interest and high expectations amidst challenging market conditions. The introduction of HarmonyOS Next represents a crucial milestone for China in achieving technological independence and reducing its reliance on Western technologies. According to experts, this operating system poses unique challenges, particularly its requirement for a complete redesign of applications compatible with it, unlike previous versions based on the open-source Android code. Despite the potential benefits of promoting local hardware, analysts express skepticism about whether HarmonyOS Next can attract a sufficient number of developers to build a robust ecosystem of applications compared to its Western counterparts. This launch coincides with a broader push for self-reliance among Chinese tech firms as they navigate ongoing tensions with the United States. Huawei, once the largest domestic smartphone manufacturer in the country, has seen its market share decline, but the company has made a notable recovery with a reported shipment of over 10.8 million smartphone units, capturing 16% of the Chinese market in the latest quarter. The success of the Mate 70 and HarmonyOS Next could be pivotal for Huawei's future trajectory, reinforcing its ability to innovate despite geopolitical hurdles. In the context of a fierce tech rivalry between Beijing and Washington, the outcome of this launch will likely impact China's technological landscape and its aspirations for global competitiveness in mobile technology. While the Mate 70 is anticipated to be priced lower than its previous luxury model, the Mate XT, the real test will be in how well it can establish a compelling software ecosystem that appeals to global consumers.