HarmonyOS NEXT

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HarmonyOS NEXT
GUI)
LicenseCommercial software, Proprietary software except for open-source components
Preceded byHarmonyOS 4.2 mobile/4.5 (TV) AOSP & Linux
Official websiteconsumer.huawei.com/cn/harmonyos-next
Support status
Supported
Articles in the series
HarmonyOS version history

HarmonyOS NEXT (Chinese: 鸿蒙星河版; pinyin: Hóngméng Xīnghébǎn) is a proprietary distributed operating system that succeeded the similarly named HarmonyOS, with the main difference that the "Next" operating system was developed by Huawei to support only HarmonyOS native apps. Unlike Android-based HarmonyOS versions 1 to 4 (2019-2024) and the global market EMUI operating system, the Next version (starting with HarmonyOS Next 5) does not include the Android AOSP core and is incompatible with Android applications.[4][5]

HarmonyOS NEXT both discards the common Unix-like Linux kernel and replaces the previous multikernel system with its own bespoke HarmonyOS microkernel.[6] The rich execution environment (REE) version of the HarmonyOS microkernel is placed at its core, with a single framework as kernel mode. The operating system shares lineage with the lightweight LiteOS real-time operating system for resource-constrained devices like smart wearables and IoT products.[7]

History

On August 4, 2023, at Huawei Developers Conference 2023 (HDC), Huawei officially announced HarmonyOS NEXT, the next version of HarmonyOS, which supports only native APP apps via Ark Compiler and native APIs in the HarmonyOS SDK.[8] The kernel of HarmonyOS NEXT no longer includes the compatibility layer of AOSP framework with Android libraries from EMUI in the user space and cannot run Android apk apps natively, as was the case with the initial dual-framework HarmonyOS.[9][10]

The first internal preview version of the system was revealed on August 4, 2023, and the first preview version was released to registered public developers on January 18, 2024.[11] The first devices tested with the developer preview version were the Mate 60, Mate 60 Pro and Mate X5 phones.[12]

On October 22, 2024, HarmonyOS 5.0.0 was officially launched as the "HarmonyOS NEXT 5" brand,[13][14] after the public beta was released on October 8, 2024.[15] The first device to feature HarmonyOS NEXT at sale was the Huawei Mate 70, which went on sale in China in November 2024.[16] By installing the all-new operating system on a newly launched device, Huawei created a new competitor to Android and iOS. Future Huawei devices are to be sold mainly with HarmonyOS NEXT, creating a third player in the market for smartphone operating systems worldwide.[17] On May 8, 2025, a HarmonyOS computer running the HarmonyOS 5 operating system made its debut in Shenzhen, following the expiration of Huawei's Microsoft Windows licence in March.[18]

Technology

HarmonyOS kernel

The HarmonyOS Kernel (HongMeng Kernel), sometimes referred to as the Harmony kernel, is a computer operating system (OS) kernel developed by Huawei since August 2023. It is used in the HarmonyOS 5 version of the proprietary HarmonyOS distributed operating system, replacing previous versions that utilized the AOSP compatibility layer, the Linux kernel, and the LiteOS kernel.[19][20]

The HarmonyOS Kernel utilizes a microkernel architecture, which aims to improve security and performance by isolating critical components of the system.

Kernel design

The HarmonyOS kernel is a

Linux ABI compatibility by placing an ABI-compatible shim in IC0 (kernel space) with support for OpenHarmony and AOSP complex framework hardware migration deployments, which redirects Linux system calls to IPC and serves as a central repository for global state. The kernel also reuses Linux drivers through driver containers, which balances between compatibility and critical path performance, while having control plane and data plane separation to improve performance. HarmonyOS kernel capabilities in context switching, network, application startup time, load, frame loss, interrupt latency, etc., and also performance optimised in smart routers and smart vehicles with real time capabilities functions.[21]

Terminal on HarmonyOS PC

As of October 23, 2024, HarmonyOS kernel runs on

ARM64 devices on HarmonyOS 5.0.0 Release (Beta) version with current version 1.9.3.B010.[22]

Kernel Architecture

HarmonyOS NEXT is designed with a hybrid approach, combining the efficiency of a monolithic Linux kernel with modular elements from OpenHarmony. By utilizing a kernel abstraction layer, it ensures compatibility while maintaining performance optimization.

Compatibility Layer and Libraries

The system integrates a POSIX-compliant compatibility layer, enabling smoother interoperability with third-party applications. Furthermore, musl-libc is incorporated to support more advanced devices, facilitating optimized performance for critical user-mode tasks.

Performance and Use Cases

This kernel design allows HarmonyOS NEXT to handle complex computational tasks effectively while remaining lightweight for various device categories. Its balance between modularity and speed ensures stable operations in both consumer electronics and industrial applications.

The kernel features Address tokens that connects the Access token manager that is an essential component in OpenHarmony-based

RBAC and CBAC models as a hybrid ACL model.[23][24]

Software architecture and framework features

HarmonyOS NEXT architecture

Version history

See also: HarmonyOS version history and OpenHarmony § Software development
HarmonyOS NEXT releases
System version OS version Information
Release date
HarmonyOS NEXT (3.1) Developer Preview 1 [Internal Beta] OpenHarmony 3.2 HarmonyOS NEXT Developer Preview version equipped with latest base technology, open capabilities, and development kits. The new version comes with HarmonyOS kernel (Microkernel). Huawei Ark graphics engine added. Phones and tablets are tested. Native HMS Core built inside. Internally released developer only software on OpenHarmony base development stack with API 9.[36] August 4, 2023
HarmonyOS NEXT (4.0) Developer Preview 1 [Internal Beta] OpenHarmony 4.0 New graphical shells, including PC and tablet PC mode support with API 10.[37] October 26, 2023
HarmonyOS NEXT (4.1/4.1.1 - Canary Build) Developer Preview 1 [External Beta] OpenHarmony 4.1 A large number of ArkTS APIs have been added, and the scope of distributed hardware support has been expanded. Improved new graphical shells. PC APIs added.[38] HarmonyOS Kernel (Microkernel) retrofitted on Canary1 builds with API 11. January 18, 2024
2.0.0.59 (SP3DEVCC00E59R4P1log - Canary Build 2) OpenHarmony 4.1 beta 1 HarmonyOS NEXT Developer Preview 1 Beta rolled out on registered developers' handsets,
Huawei Mate 60 Pro
and other devices. 		February 29, 2024
2.0.0.66 (SP3DEVCC00E59R4P1log - Canary Build 2) OpenHarmony 4.1 External preview beta expansion of Developer Preview 2 rolled out on more registered developers' handsets with latest pre-release canary build.[citation needed] April 2, 2024
3.0.0.22(Canary3) OpenHarmony 5.0 beta 1 External beta expansion of Developer Beta 1 rolled out on more registered developers' handsets with latest pre-release developer Beta build with API 12.[39] May 25, 2024
NEXT.0.026(SP6DEVC00E29R4P6log) Developer Beta 1[40] 5.0.0.25(Beta1) HarmonyOS NEXT Developer Beta 1 with API 12, "Full scenario" intelligence OS with Harmony Intelligence rolled out publicly to all registered developers June 21, 2024 at HDC 2024 annual event in China.[41][42][43] June 21, 2024
NEXT.0.0.31 (SPXXXXXXXX) Developer Beta 2[40] 5.0.0.33(Beta2) HarmonyOS NEXT Developer Beta 2, expansion.[44] July 19, 2024
NEXT.0.0.35(SPXXXXXXXX) Developer Beta 3[40] OpenHarmony 5.0 beta 3 HarmonyOS NEXT Developer Beta 3 expansion.[45] August 2, 2024
NEXT.0.0.60(SP12DEVC00E6QR4P9)  - Developer Beta 5 OpenHarmony 5.0 beta 5 HarmonyOS NEXT Developer Beta 5 bug fixes and the final fourth developer beta recruitment extended. August 21, 2024
NEXT.0.0.65(SP3C00E65R1P6)  - Beta 1 (Developer Beta 6)[46] 5.0.0.60(Beta7 API 12 release) HarmonyOS NEXT beta recruitment for developers and early adopters expanded to more devices. First rolled out on three main devices for developer testing with API 12 transitioning with Developer Beta 6. August 30, 2024[47]
NEXT.0.0.71(SP6C00E71R1P13) - Beta 1/Release 5.0.0.71 (API 12 Release) HarmonyOS NEXT official consumer beta release for expanded models for single frame HarmonyOS 5.0 version with API 12. Starting with existing registered internal beta users of three models, Mate 60, Mate X5 and MatePad Pro 13.2 users. October 8, 2024[48]
NEXT.0.0.71(SP10C00E71R4P17) - Beta 2/Release 5.0.0.71 (API 12 Release) HarmonyOS Next update with exFAT support and charging improvements, alongside other fixes.[49] October 13, 2024
NEXT.0.0.72 - Release 5.0.0.71 (API 12 Release) Patch of changes introduced in the system ROM version updated on October 18 such as security control offset property setting and Media Library Kit improvements.[50] October 18, 2024
5.0.0.102(SP3C00E73R4P17) 5.0.0.102 (API 12 Release) HarmonyOS NEXT 5 public beta rollouts commences. October 22, 2024
5.0.0.102(SP3C00E73R4P17) - Release 5.0.0.102 (API 12 Release) Release build launch October 23, 2024
5.0.0.103 - Release (Beta) 5.0.0.103 (API 12 Release) HarmonyOS NEXT 5 branded "public beta" release as HarmonyOS 5.0.0. Move to commercialisation for single-frame builds. Updated developer tools and documentations.[51] October 23, 2024
5.0.0.107 SP8 5.0 (API 12 Release) Commercialisation of "HarmonyOS NEXT"; retrofitting on to the Galaxy Edition of the "HarmonyOS 5" name; HarmonyOS 5.0.1 installed on supported Huawei consumer flagship-devices on 26 November 2024; end of beta stage and move to "stable" for Chinese developers with API 12.[52][53][54] November 19, 2024
5.0.1.105 (SP11C00E105) 5.0.1 (API 12 Release) 5.0.1. update for Pura X foldable March 30, 2025
     5.1.0.110[55]      5.1. New version for Huawei Pura 80 devices[56] June 11, 2025

Reception

Political significance

Pan Jiaofeng, president of the Institute of Science and Technology Strategy of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, stated in October 2024 that HarmonyOS NEXT had "achieved complete independent research and development across the entire chain and process, from the kernel to the database, programming language, and development environment." He highlighted the significant role of the operating system in the development of China's digital economy and digital transformation.[57]

The Hong-Kong-based newspaper Ta Kung Pao commented in October 2024 that HarmonyOS NEXT had "essentially broken the United States' decades-long technological monopoly and demonstrated to the world China's unwavering commitment to the path of independent innovation."[58]

Application ecosystem

HarmonyOS NEXT was opened for public testing in October 2024. While some applications exhibited smoother performance compared to previous versions, others experienced issues such as lag or crashes. Some application vendors advised users to exercise caution when upgrading.[59]

Shanghai-based semiconductor analyst Li Tongyu noted at the launch that, although Huawei had secured adaptations from many developers, "most of these applications are demo versions with only basic core functionalities."[60]

Zhu Yuezhong, an assistant professor at Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology and an observer of Taiwan's semiconductor industry, remarked that, despite HarmonyOS moving away from Android's source code, at launch in October 2024 "the number of corresponding applications remains a concern."[60]

The 21st Century Business Herald remarked in October 2024 that many niche or "long-tail" applications had yet to be migrated or adapted to the new system.[61]

Global expansion

In October 2024, analyst Zhuo Weian commented that, although Apple Inc. had set a precedent with its closed ecosystem, "HarmonyOS's similar model presents significant challenges for developers accustomed to the open Android ecosystem." He also noted that expanding HarmonyOS to the global market was considered difficult.[60]

In contrast, the newspaper Ta Kung Pao opined in October 2024 that Huawei was "actively collaborating with global developers and partners, laying the groundwork for HarmonyOS's global expansion."[58]

See also

References

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