Huawei Launches PCs Running Its Self-Developed HarmonyOS

Overview

On May 19, 2025, Shenzhen-headquartered Huawei Technologies held a launch event in Chengdu, Sichuan province, unveiling personal computers running its self-developed operating system, HarmonyOS. The products include the MateBook Pro laptop and the foldable MateBook Fold Ultimate Design, both running HarmonyOS 5. This is the first time HarmonyOS has been used on personal computers.

Earlier, on May 8, Huawei held a HarmonyOS Computer Technology and Ecosystem Communication Conference in Shenzhen to outline the PC version of the system. Zhu Dongdong, president of the tablet and PC product line at Huawei's consumer business group, said the aim was to redefine the future of computing with a secure, intelligent and interconnected experience.

Background

HarmonyOS was officially launched in August 2019 as an open-source operating system for multiple devices and scenarios. It has since been used in smartphones, tablets, wearables, smart home appliances and new energy vehicles. As of 2024, the ecosystem had more than 20,000 native applications, a developer community of over 7.2 million, and more than one billion connected devices.According to Huawei, development of HarmonyOS began in 2015. The new PC version is based on the same HarmonyOS 5 as the company's smartphones and tablets, with the aim of providing a unified experience across different types of devices.

The PC operating system market, by contrast, has long been dominated by Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS, and domestic alternatives in China have mainly been adaptations of Linux. According to reports, Microsoft's Windows supply license for Huawei expired in March 2025, which highlighted the need for Huawei to offer a new PC operating system.

Key Points

• Scale of development: More than 10,000 engineers from over 20 research institutes worked on the system for five years, and it is backed by more than 2,700 core patents.
• Built from the kernel up: Huawei says the system is not a modification of an existing OS but was built starting from the kernel.
• On-device AI: AI functions run on the device itself, reducing reliance on the cloud.
• Development efficiency: A "develop once, deploy across devices" framework is intended to cut application development costs and time.
• Applications: According to Huawei, more than 2,000 applications were being adapted for HarmonyOS PCs, with more than 300 already available as of early May.
• Cross-device integration: At the launch, Huawei executive director Yu Chengdong said the computers integrate software, hardware, devices and cloud services to fundamentally reshape the PC experience.
• Launch-day response: On May 19, the day of the launch, many customers also visited Huawei's Global Flagship Store on Nanjing Road in Shanghai, according to reports.

Implications for Japan–Shenzhen Exchange

A major Shenzhen technology company extending its own operating system from smartphones to PCs appears to be one sign of a more diverse software environment in the Chinese market. For Japanese companies that provide software, peripherals or business applications to Chinese customers, whether to support the new operating system may become an issue to consider. Shenzhen is also home to a large cluster of device makers and component and software developers, and attention is turning to how the formation of a new ecosystem may affect the wider supply chain.The idea of connecting smartphones, home appliances, cars and PCs through a single operating system may also serve as a useful reference for Japanese companies in the Internet of Things and smart appliance fields as they track technology trends in the Chinese market.

Outlook

The uptake of HarmonyOS PCs is expected to depend on the number of compatible applications, usability, and adoption by business users. Plans for overseas markets and the market share the system may achieve remain unclear.

From the Association

The Association will continue to follow developments in technology and ecosystem building by Shenzhen-based companies. We will work to provide opportunities for information sharing and exchange so that Japanese and Shenzhen companies can better understand each other's technological trends.