Huawei, has unveiled its first laptop powered entirely by its self-developed HarmonyOS, marking a significant milestone in the company’s efforts to reduce reliance on foreign software platforms. The announcement comes after Huawei’s license to use Microsoft Windows on its personal computers expired in March 2025. (Reuters)
HarmonyOS 5: A Leap Towards Software Independence
The new laptop operates on HarmonyOS 5, also known as HarmonyOS NEXT, the latest iteration of Huawei’s proprietary operating system. This version is designed to function independently of Android and Linux, featuring a microkernel architecture developed entirely in-house. HarmonyOS NEXT supports only native HarmonyOS applications, signaling Huawei’s move towards a fully self-reliant software ecosystem. (Wikipedia)
AI Integration and Productivity Tools
Equipped with Huawei’s AI assistant, Celia, the laptop offers features such as slide creation, meeting minute summarization, and information retrieval from local documents, provided it has access to the necessary third-party software. The device also includes a suite of Chinese software catering to both work and entertainment needs, such as WPS Office and Alibaba’s DingTalk. (Wikipedia)
Expanding App Ecosystem
The HarmonyOS laptop is compatible with a growing selection of mobile apps available on HarmonyOS smartphones, including social media platform RedNote, video-sharing site Bilibili, and ByteDance’s enterprise collaboration tool Feishu. By the end of the year, the device is expected to support over 2,000 apps, according to state-backed newspaper Nanfang Daily.
Strategic Implications
Huawei’s launch of a HarmonyOS-powered laptop underscores its commitment to building a self-sufficient technology ecosystem amid ongoing U.S. sanctions. The move aligns with China’s broader push for technological independence, particularly in critical areas like operating systems. By developing and deploying its own software platforms, Huawei aims to mitigate the risks associated with foreign technology dependencies.(The Express Tribune, Hawaii Tribune-Herald)
As Huawei continues to expand its HarmonyOS ecosystem across various devices, including smartphones, tablets, and now laptops, the company is positioning itself as a formidable player in the global tech landscape, capable of challenging established operating systems like Windows and Android.
