Huawei Technologies’ HarmonyOS mobile platform overtook Apple’s iOS to become the second-largest mobile operating system in mainland China in the first quarter, according to the latest market data from Counterpoint Research.
Strong domestic demand for Huawei’s latest 5G devices has driven adoption of the Shenzhen-based company’s homegrown mobile operating system, HarmonyOS, which captured a 17% share in the first quarter, overtaking iOS for the first time in the world’s largest smartphone market, according to Counterpoint data.
Huawei, which is subject to U.S. sanctions, returned to the 5G device field last year through its Mate 60 series smartphones, which is seen more than doubling HarmonyOS’ presence in the country from an 8% share in the first quarter of 2023.
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Apple’s iOS was slightly behind with a 16% share, but Google’s Android continued to dominate the market with a 68% share in the same period.
A man stands in front of a sign advertising Huawei Technologies Co.’s Harmony OS at the Smart China Expo in Chongqing on September 4, 2023. Photo: Bloomberg alt=A man stands in front of a sign advertising Huawei Technologies Co.’s Harmony OS at the Smart China Expo in Chongqing on September 4, 2023. Photo: Bloomberg>
According to Counterpoint, HarmonyOS’ share is expected to “further expand” as Huawei focuses on localizing its supply chain.
Globally, Android and iOS maintained their lead in the March quarter with 77% and 19% market share respectively, while HarmonyOS had a global market share of 4% during the same period.
The growing adoption of HarmonyOS in the country shows that Huawei’s strategy of building an alternative to Android is starting to pay off, overcoming the impact of technology restrictions imposed by the U.S. government when it was added to Washington’s Entity List in May 2019.
The trade blacklist prohibits Huawei from buying software, chips and other U.S.-made technology from suppliers without Washington’s approval. Huawei launched its Harmony OS in August 2019.
Huawei Technologies developed HarmonyOS as an alternative to Google’s Android mobile operating system. Photo: Shutterstock alt=Huawei Technologies developed HarmonyOS as an alternative to Google’s Android mobile operating system. Photo: Shutterstock>
Early versions of HarmonyOS were criticized for being little more than a variation of Android, but the latest version, HarmonyOS Next, released as a developer preview in February, makes the differences between the competing operating systems even more pronounced: HarmonyOS Next will no longer support Android-based applications.
Huawei plans to release HarmonyOS Next alongside its Mate 70 series flagship smartphones later this year, rotating chairman Eric Xu Zhijun said in May.
According to Counterpoint, the company performed the best among all major smartphone vendors in mainland China in the first quarter, with revenue growing 69.7% year-on-year. The research firm attributed the performance mainly to Huawei’s popular 5G Mate 60 series and strong brand reputation, which has allowed the company to gain share in the premium segment, where devices start at $600.
According to Huawei, as of January, more than 200 partners had started developing apps based on HarmonyOS, and the company said it aims to have 5,000 partners on board by the end of the year.
Major companies that have started developing apps based on HarmonyOS include Alibaba Group Holding, Meituan, Ant Group, JD.com and McDonald’s China. Alibaba owns the South China Morning Post.
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