Huawei to Unveil First PC Running Its Own HarmonyOS in May 2025

Huawei has announced that it will launch the first personal computer powered by HarmonyOS in May 2025, according to Yu Chengdong, CEO and head of Huawei’s Consumer Business Group and Intelligent Automotive Solutions, who had previously only hinted at the possibility of such a device. The move marks the further development of HarmonyOS, which is gradually expanding to more device categories in Huawei’s ecosystem.

Image source: Huaweicentral.com

According to leaks, the HarmonyOS interface for PCs and laptops will be slightly different from the mobile version of the operating system. At the top of the screen, there will be a status bar displaying system information, notifications, and control options. This brings its functionality closer to the mobile version of the system. In addition, a dock panel will appear at the bottom of the screen, including both system and third-party applications. HarmonyOS will also offer a set of widgets optimized for screens of different sizes, which will ensure ease of use on various types of devices.

Chengdong did not specify which PC or laptop model will be the first to receive HarmonyOS. However, it is known that the device will run HarmonyOS Next, a version of the OS designed exclusively for native applications. This means that PCs running the new OS will not be able to run previous generations of mobile software. This approach requires a radical change in the architecture of applications and the emergence of new recommendations for developers, which may affect the speed of HarmonyOS distribution in the desktop PC segment.

Currently, Huawei MateBook notebooks run Windows. Despite US sanctions, the company remains one of the few Chinese corporations that continue to cooperate with Microsoft. However, HarmonyOS Next is aimed at creating a completely autonomous ecosystem, which may affect Huawei’s future strategy regarding the use of Windows. If the company focuses on developing its own OS, this may be an important step towards abandoning American software.

The promotion of HarmonyOS Next may limit the platform’s availability in the international market. The new OS version does not support legacy mobile apps, and this may complicate its adaptation to the international market. At the same time, Huawei will likely continue to sell Windows laptops in other countries. More details will be revealed after the official release of the device in May.