Huawei HarmonyOS Surges to Second Largest Smartphone OS in China

The landscape of mobile technology is shifting rapidly as Huawei announces a monumental achievement for its self-developed ecosystem. During the opening day of the HDC 2026 event, the tech giant confirmed that HarmonyOS has officially ascended to become the second-largest smartphone operating system in China, marking a historic disruption in a market long dominated by the Android and iOS duopoly.

A Rapid Ascent in the Post-Android Era

Richard Yu, Chairman of Huawei Consumer Business and Product Investment Review Committee, took the stage at HDC 2026 to deliver the keynote speech. He highlighted that the transition to an "Android-free" system has entered a period of explosive growth. In just one year and two months, HarmonyOS 7.0 has redefined the competitive landscape in China, providing a viable and high-performance alternative to Western operating systems.

Historically, the Chinese market was a battleground between Google's Android and Apple's iOS. While Huawei previously utilized the Android Open Source Project (AOSP), international restrictions forced the company to innovate independently. This led to the birth of HarmonyOS NEXT, a truly independent operating system built with in-house components that prioritizes efficiency, security, and intelligent cross-device operations.

Surpassing iOS and Expanding the Ecosystem

The shift in consumer preference is backed by data. A recent report from Counterpoint Research confirmed that HarmonyOS has climbed to a 19% market share in China, effectively pushing iOS to the third position. This growth is attributed to superior hardware-software integration, particularly in camera performance and fluid user interface experiences that have enticed many former iPhone users to switch to Huawei devices.

The momentum is not just limited to market share. The software's adoption rate is equally impressive, with HarmonyOS 6.0 reaching 66 million installations. This robust growth is supported by a rapidly maturing developer ecosystem. The Huawei App Store now hosts over 400,000 applications, ensuring that users have access to all essential services without relying on external frameworks. Looking ahead, Huawei has set an ambitious target to cross the 100 million installation threshold before the conclusion of 2026.

Which operating system is currently the second largest in China?

As of the latest reports from HDC 2026 and Counterpoint Research, Huawei's HarmonyOS has officially become the second-largest smartphone operating system in China, surpassing Apple's iOS and trailing only behind Android.

What is the current market share of HarmonyOS?

HarmonyOS has achieved a 19% market share in the Chinese smartphone sector, marking a significant increase and a major milestone for Huawei's independent software ecosystem.

How many apps are available on the HarmonyOS platform?

The ecosystem has grown substantially, now offering over 400,000 apps and services within the Huawei App Store, catering to a wide range of user needs without the need for Android-based components.

What version of HarmonyOS is currently seeing the most installations?

HarmonyOS 6.0 has been a major success for the company, having already surpassed 66 million installations on various Huawei devices across China.

Is HarmonyOS still based on Android?

No, with the introduction of HarmonyOS NEXT and subsequent versions like HarmonyOS 7.0, Huawei has transitioned to a completely independent, "Android-free" architecture built on its own in-house technology.

🔎 In conclusion, the rise of HarmonyOS to the second spot in China represents a pivotal moment in the global technology industry. By successfully building a competitive, independent ecosystem from the ground up, Huawei has demonstrated that there is significant room for innovation outside the traditional mobile duopoly. As the platform moves toward its goal of 100 million installations, the continued expansion of its app library and the refinement of its AI capabilities will likely solidify its position as a dominant force in the future of mobile computing.