Huawei has announced its latest operating system (OS) in China, which was developed independently of Android. Called HarmonyOS Next, it does not use Google’s Android Open Source Project (AOSP) code, which is used by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to develop Android skins for their devices. Instead, according to the company, it is built on the core and architecture of the Hongmeng system. HarmonyOS Next offers new home screen and lock screen customization options, artificial intelligence (AI) features, and faster animations and app launch speeds.

HarmonyOS Next Compatible Devices

Huawei says HarmonyOS Next is available to users in China through a public beta. The following models may receive updates:

The following features of HarmonyOS

Huawei’s new OS offers new ways to customize your home screen and lock screen. It borrowed certain design elements from Harmony OS – the corporate Android shell. This includes application engines, widgets, notification panel and control center. It has a new physical lighting engine, which is said to make the interaction smoother, and has a new wallpaper feature that recognizes the object in the image and suggests a suitable composition.

A key component of HarmonyOS Next is the inclusion of artificial intelligence built into its core, from the kernel system to applications. It uses an artificial intelligence agent called Celia, built on Pangu’s proprietary Large Language Model (LLM). The agent can also take advantage of third-party cloud AI models to provide enhanced services. Thus, the OS is able to provide personalized content and smart services based on various scenarios. It also has a built-in artificial intelligence system assistant that has high-level understanding and interaction capabilities. Its capabilities include on-screen content awareness, context understanding, document analysis and summarization, and Circle-to-Search functionality.

Huawei says HarmonyOS Next has more than 15,000 apps, with more coming soon. It is also claimed to result in 30 percent smoother system operation and an increase in system memory of up to 1.5 GB. Using the new Star Shield security architecture, the OS provides nuclear-level system security, according to the company.