When it comes to mobile software, users in the US and most of the world, can choose between the likes of iOS 27 on the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro, or Android 17 on the Pixel 11, Galaxy Z Fold 8, and some other models. Escaping from Apple's and Google’s software is an almost impossible feat, even if you’re an advanced user. This may start changing very soon as one of the leading smartphone companies in the world appears ready to throw a wrench in the duopoly.
Huawei plans to expand HarmonyOS outside of China
Huawei may finally expand its mobile operating system to markets outside of China. During the company’s HarmonyOS Ecosystem Conference last weekend, the company made it clear it has serious plans to expand the software to the global markets.
Huawei’s Deputy Chairman and Rotating Chairman, Eric Xu (Xu Zhijun), said (source in Chinese) the company is looking forward to running pilot programs with the software in other countries. During a talk called “The construction of the Harmony OS ecosystem is a marathon without a finish,” the executive said the success of an operating system is measured by its ability to go global.
Based on validating the model and accumulating best practices, we aim to achieve the global-scale development of the HarmonyOS ecosystem and provide the world with a second option.
Eric Xu, Deputy Chairman and Rotating Chairman, Huawei, August 2026
When will Huawei launch HarmonyOS outside of China?
Huawei phones run EMUI in Europe. | Image by PhoneArena
One detail that was missing from Xu’s talk was the timeline of the global expansion of HarmonyOS. While we could assume the pilot programs will launch in the coming months, there’s a non-zero chance for them to never happen. Huawei has made similar comments about a global expansion of HarmonyOS before, without following them up with actual software releases.
HarmonyOS was developed by Huawei after the company was banned from buying any technology with US origin and lost access to Google’s version of Android. In its first smartphone versions, the OS was compatible with Android apps, but the support was dropped with the introduction of HarmonyOS Next in 2024.
What would make you switch from Android or iOS?
Now, Huawei says there are over over 400,000 applications available for HarmonyOS phones, with 100,000 of them being native to the OS.
HarmonyOS is already an alternative to iOS and Android in China. | Image by Counterpoint Research
While Android and iOS dominate the US smartphone market, things look very different in the Chinese market. There, 24% of the phones sold in Q2 of 2026 are running HarmonyOS, which is more than the iOS devices, accounting for 18% of the sales. On a global scale, 5% of the smartphone sales are for devices with HarmonyOS, according to a Counterpoint Research report.
An alternative, but not for everyone
While I’m sure HarmonyOS will never make it to the US market, I won’t be surprised by a Huawei comeback in other markets. Consumers in Europe, Latin America, and many other regions liked the company’s phones, which is an important first step.
Huawei is also one of the very few companies that could secure the essential app ecosystem in many countries. If that gets paired with great hardware at a competitive price, I can see HarmonyOS being a third viable option, at least in some markets.
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Ilia, a tech journalist at PhoneArena, has been covering the mobile industry since 2011, with experience at outlets like Forbes Bulgaria. Passionate about smartphones, tablets, and consumer tech, he blends deep industry knowledge with a personal fascination that began with his first Nokia and Sony Ericsson devices. Originally from Bulgaria and now based in Lima, Peru, Ilia balances his tech obsessions with walking his dog, training at the gym, and slowly mastering Spanish.
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