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-
The Gadgeteer
Huawei Qingyun HM650 desktop runs HarmonyOS on a Kirin X90, no Windows anywhere
Huawei’s Qingyun HM650 is a desktop with its own Kirin X90 chip, its own HarmonyOS, and a certificate that says every component is made in China. It’s sold only to the Chinese state and its companies.
Ecosystem and market -
Notebookcheck
Compact Huawei MateBook Fold S launches soon with big secondary display
With the MateBook Fold S, Huawei will unveil one of the most exciting laptops with a foldable OLED display in just a few days, as the notebook's 14.7-inch folding display not only makes it significantly more compact than the older MateBook Fold, but it now…
New devices -
GSMArena
Huawei teases new MateBook Fold laptop with cover screen
Back in May of last year, Huawei unveiled its MateBook Fold Ultimate – an 18-inch HarmonyOS PC laptop that folds in half. And since then we’ve seen a 2026 edition with an upgraded Kirin chipset, and the brand is now teasing its third entry – the MateBook Fold…
New devices -
South China Morning Post
Hong Kong Hosts HDD HarmonyOS Ecosystem Executive Summit with Over 100 Industry Leaders
Supported by an active base of 90 million devices, local partners expand mobile and lifestyle services across the Greater Bay Area.
Ecosystem and market -
Technology Org
Huawei Launches Qingyun HM650 Desktop PCs It Says Use Only Chinese-Made Parts
Ecosystem and market