HarmonyOS, explained without the hype
Huawei's operating system is no longer "Android with a new skin": it has its own kernel, its own programming language and runs on phones, watches, tablets, laptops and cars. Here is what it is, how it got here and what it means if you live in Europe.
One operating system, many kinds of device
An ecosystem that is no longer small
HarmonyOS 6 arrived in November 2025 and in less than a year it is on more than 90 million devices. Counting earlier versions, Huawei talks about more than 1.3 billion devices.
- 1.3 bn+devices across the whole HarmonyOS ecosystem (June 2026)
- 90 m+devices on HarmonyOS 6 or later (October 2026)
- 100,000+native HarmonyOS apps (August 2026)
Sources: Huawei Central, Huawei Central, TechNode.
Where do you want to start?
-
What is HarmonyOS
Its own kernel, ArkTS, "atomic" services and one system for every device, step by step.
To start -
History
From the 2019 Honor TV to HarmonyOS 7: every version and what changed.
For context -
Versus Android and iOS
Where it wins, where it loses and what you need to know outside China.
To decide -
Devices
Phones, foldables, tablets, laptops, watches and cars running HarmonyOS.
To choose -
Developers
ArkTS, ArkUI, Cangjie and DevEco Studio: where to start building.
To build -
News
New devices, updates and developer news, every day.
To keep up
Would a HarmonyOS device suit you?
Six questions about where you live, which apps you use and which devices you own. Your answers never leave your browser.
Latest news
See all news-
CarNewsChina.com
Huawei enters China's three-wheeled market, brings HIMA smart cockpit tech to 1500 USD e-trike
The trike is now capable of handling complex voice commands, as well as app-based remote locking and location tracking.
New devices -
news.lavx.hu
Huawei Debuts First HarmonyOS Desktops, Qingyun HM650 and HM650G, at Wuhan Summit
Huawei unveiled two commercial desktop PCs under its Qingyun brand — the HM650 for enterprises and HM650G for government buyers — both powered by the Kirin X90 processor. The compact towers, shown at the November 5 HarmonyOS Office Industry Summit in Wuhan…
Ecosystem and market -
Crypto Briefing
Huawei unveils Qingyun HM650, a fully domestic desktop running HarmonyOS
Huawei's Qingyun HM650 desktop runs HarmonyOS on a Kirin X90 chip with no Intel, Qualcomm or Windows, targeting enterprise and government buyers.
Ecosystem and market -
Technetbook
HUAWEI Announces Qingyun HM650 Desktop Powered by Kirin X90
HUAWEI introduces the Qingyun HM650 desktop PC running HarmonyOS on Kirin X90 silicon with a dual layer cooling system.
Ecosystem and market -
Notebookcheck
Motorola,'s Signature 27 beats iPhone 18 Pro Max in DxOMark camera test
DxOMark has given the Motorola Signature 27 an overall camera score of 173 and a Gold Label, the highest result among phones launched in 2026 and second only to the Huawei Pura 80 Ultra in its global ranking. The score is nine points above the original…
Ecosystem and market -
South China Morning Post
No Intel, no Qualcomm: Huawei unveils its first ‘100% domestic’ desktop
Tech giant expands HarmonyOS beyond laptops and tablets as it accelerates efforts to replace US technology.
Ecosystem and market