Huawei continues to make significant strides in mobile technology, positioning its HarmonyOS as a cornerstone of its long-term strategic independence. This article explores the critical advancements and strategic implications of HarmonyOS 6.0, developer ecosystem growth, and the shifting role of EMUI.
HarmonyOS 6.0: Major Features and Deployment Strategy
Huawei officially unveiled HarmonyOS 6.0 during its annual Huawei Developer Conference (HDC) held from June 20-22, 2025. Dubbed as a “major leap forward,” this iteration enhances seamless integration across diverse devices, highlighting Huawei’s goal of a comprehensive “all-scenario” operating system.
A key innovation in HarmonyOS 6.0 is the introduction of the “AI Agent Framework,” empowering developers to create intelligent agents without extensive training on large foundational models. Additional prominent features include:
“Tap-to-Share” for instantaneous file transfers between smartphones and PCs.
Enhanced multi-user collaboration.
Cross-device content insertion capabilities.
Advanced privacy and security measures.
Moreover, HarmonyOS 6.0 integrates deeply with smart automotive functionalities, offering intelligent parking solutions and facial recognition-based contactless fuel payment systems, significantly enhancing user convenience.
HarmonyOS 6.0’s commercial launch is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2025, anticipated around October-November. The rollout will initially feature flagship devices such as the Mate 80 series and Mate X7, followed by incremental releases to other high-end models, including the Pura 80 series, Mate 70/60, Pura 70, and Mate X6. By mid-2026, Huawei aims to extend availability to mid-range Nova models and previous-generation devices.
The detailed enhancements of HarmonyOS 6.0, especially its AI Agent Framework and automotive integration, underscore its position as more than just an alternative operating system. Instead, it represents a strategic platform crucial to Huawei’s long-term ecosystem goals in AI and IoT, explicitly designed to counteract ongoing sanctions and build a self-sustaining technological ecosystem.
Developer Growth and Application Ecosystem
HarmonyOS has witnessed remarkable developer community expansion, surpassing 8 million registered developers. Such exponential growth is vital for platform sustainability and independence.
Currently, more than 30,000 applications and meta-services are actively developed for HarmonyOS. Huawei has set an ambitious target to reach 100,000 HarmonyOS NEXT applications by the end of 2025, signifying substantial efforts to rapidly enhance its application ecosystem.
Despite impressive domestic adoption, the platform still faces a significant “global application gap.” The absence of mainstream global apps like Google services, popular social media apps, and widely-used productivity tools substantially limits HarmonyOS’s international appeal. Addressing this challenge remains crucial for Huawei’s global mobile strategy unless geopolitical conditions change significantly or broader app integration becomes feasible.
EMUI's Role and Future Outlook
As of June 2025, Huawei’s Android-based EMUI 15 has seen limited deployment, predominantly on the Mate X6 model. While Huawei continues providing security updates for EMUI versions 12 to 14, strategic focus clearly shifts towards HarmonyOS NEXT, a version incompatible with Android applications.
Huawei actively prepares for dedicated global app development on HarmonyOS NEXT throughout 2025. Indicators suggest EMUI 15 may act as a “transition update,” particularly for Snapdragon-powered devices, signaling a definitive move towards HarmonyOS NEXT primarily for devices featuring Huawei’s next-generation Kirin processors.
This strategic shift suggests that EMUI’s role is increasingly becoming maintenance-oriented, reinforcing Huawei’s irreversible commitment to HarmonyOS as the primary software platform across its device lineup, domestically and internationally.