Users in China
- Fit
- High: local apps, payments and services are available.
- Look at
- Mate 90 or Pura 90 series.
Advantages of HarmonyOS over Android and iOS
HarmonyOS stands out for cross-device integration and for having the whole system under one company's control. Its big limit lies elsewhere: the app catalogue and availability outside China.
Key points
- HarmonyOS's big advantage is cross-device integration, deeper than Android's and comparable to Apple's.
- Huawei controls everything: kernel, system, chips and services. That makes it easier to optimise and update without relying on third parties.
- Its big drawbacks are the app catalogue and the lack of Google services.
- No phone with HarmonyOS 5 or later is sold outside China.
The advantages of HarmonyOS
- One system for all your devicesThe same system on phone, watch, tablet, PC and car. Tasks move between them without bridge apps.
- Own kernel and chipsLike Apple, Huawei designs both system and processor (Kirin), which makes performance and battery tuning easier.
- Services without installingAtomic services open instantly, without going through the store.
- Stricter permissionsWithout Android's legacy APIs, the system has tighter control over the data each app can reach.
- Direct updatesHuawei updates its whole ecosystem at once; on Android it depends on each manufacturer.
- One codebase, many screensDevelopers write one app that adapts to every form factor.
HarmonyOS, Android and iOS side by side
| Aspect | HarmonyOS | Android | iOS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Makers | Huawei (and others with OpenHarmony) | Hundreds of brands | Apple only |
| Kernel | HongMeng (in-house) | Linux | XNU (Darwin) |
| Cross-device integration | Native, across every kind of device | Depends on brand | Very good, Apple only |
| App catalogue | 100,000+ native apps | Millions | Millions |
| Google services | No | Yes | As apps |
| Availability | Phones in China only | Worldwide | Worldwide |
| Global share (2024) | ≈ 4% | Majority | Second |
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The drawbacks you need to know
Apps are the big obstacle
Since HarmonyOS 5 you cannot install APKs. Banking, messaging or transport apps from your country will only work if a native version exists on AppGallery, and most European ones do not have one.
- No Google: no Gmail, Maps, YouTube or Play Store as native apps.
- Built for China: services, payments, the assistant and content are aimed at the Chinese market.
- A single phone maker: less choice of models and prices than on Android.
How widely it is used
According to Counterpoint Research, HarmonyOS accounted for around 4% of global smartphone sales in 2024 and outsold iOS in China in all four quarters of that year. By the second quarter of 2025 it had spent six consecutive quarters as the second system in China, behind only Android.
Who is HarmonyOS for?
Users in Europe
- Fit
- Limited: no phones with HarmonyOS 5 or later are sold.
- Look at
- Huawei watches running HarmonyOS.
Developers
- Fit
- Interesting: a large market with less competition.
- Look at
- ArkTS, ArkUI and DevEco Studio.
Would it suit you?
Take the "Is HarmonyOS right for you?" quiz: six questions and an indicative result.
Frequently asked questions
Is HarmonyOS better than Android?
It depends on what you need. It offers better integration across Huawei devices and a more consistent system, but far fewer apps and no Google services. For most users outside China, Android is still more practical.
What is HarmonyOS's market share?
According to Counterpoint Research, around 4% of global smartphone sales in 2024. In China it has outsold iOS since 2024 and is the second best-selling system, behind only Android.
Can I use Android apps on HarmonyOS?
On HarmonyOS 4.2 and earlier, yes. On HarmonyOS 5 and later, no: only native apps from AppGallery, although Huawei reports more than 400,000 apps and services available.
Sources
- GSMArena / Counterpoint Research. HarmonyOS surpasses iOS in China, Android remains the undisputed global leader (14/03/2025)
- Huawei Central. HarmonyOS continues to top iOS for 6th quarter in China (Counterpoint, 23/09/2025)
- TechNode. Huawei says HarmonyOS native apps top 100,000 as HarmonyOS 6 devices surpass 80 million (28/08/2026)
- Huawei Central. Huawei says HarmonyOS global expansion plan is underway (06/10/2026)
- Huawei Central. HarmonyOS 7 debuts with AI security features, revamped UI, smarter Celia, and more (07/09/2026)