Huawei’s HarmonyOS-Next Enters the Desktop OS Market with Performance Enhancements and UI Tweaks
Huawei has officially launched HarmonyOS-Next, a desktop operating system aimed at replacing Windows 11 on its modern laptops, bringing notable UI enhancements, performance upgrades, and AI integration, although it comes with critical limitations like the lack of sideloading and backward compatibility.
HarmonyOS-Next Tailored for Modern Devices Only
The OS will be exclusive to Huawei’s newer laptops, meaning older hardware will be left out of the HarmonyOS ecosystem.
- Backward compatibility is not part of the rollout, making it impossible to run the OS on legacy Huawei systems.
- This move underlines Huawei’s commitment to a modernized, vertically integrated platform where only the latest hardware can access the full experience.
AI Capabilities Lead the Feature Set
HarmonyOS-Next includes a built-in AI assistant named Celia, who also acts as an intelligent agent capable of automated task execution, such as slide creation.
- The assistant adds a layer of contextual productivity not traditionally seen in desktop OS environments.
- Native apps like WPS Office come pre-installed, ensuring basic utility functions are handled out of the box.
No App Sideloading: A Significant Limitation
A major restriction in HarmonyOS-Next is the inability to sideload third-party applications, forcing users to rely exclusively on Huawei’s App Gallery.
- This mirrors Huawei’s mobile ecosystem strategy and aligns with efforts to reduce dependency on Western software.
- For users familiar with the freedom and flexibility of desktop environments, this could be seen as a major drawback.
macOS-Like Design with Chinese Market in Focus
Inspired by Apple’s macOS, HarmonyOS-Next features a software shortcut dock at the bottom, offering a streamlined UI experience.
- The overall interface emphasizes simplicity, speed, and integration, aligning with Apple-like design philosophies.
- This suggests Huawei is not just replacing Windows, but also reshaping user habits around its ecosystem-first approach.
Target Audience Will Likely Embrace the Trade-offs
While the lack of sideloading and backward compatibility might disappoint global tech enthusiasts, Huawei’s **primary market—China—**may find these compromises acceptable.
- Desktop users in China are increasingly accustomed to closed ecosystems, especially given regulatory constraints on Western apps.
- As such, Huawei seems confident that HarmonyOS-Next will be well-received within its target demographic.
