Shenzhen, China – June 16, 2025 – In a powerful signal of its resilience and strategic pivot, Huawei has officially surpassed the shipment of 100 million smartphones running its proprietary HarmonyOS operating system in the second quarter of 2025, according to fresh analysis from Canalys. This landmark figure represents a significant achievement for the Chinese tech giant, which has navigated years of intense US sanctions that severed its access to Google Mobile Services (GMS) and crippled its once-dominant handset business.
The milestone, confirmed in Canalys' latest market pulse report, underscores the remarkable traction Huawei has gained with HarmonyOS since its forced transition away from Android. Once facing an uncertain future in the smartphone arena, Huawei's heavy investment in its own ecosystem – encompassing the OS, Huawei Mobile Services (HMS), and a rapidly expanding AppGallery – is demonstrably paying off.
"The 100 million mark is more than just a number; it's a testament to Huawei's ability to innovate under pressure and the strong acceptance of HarmonyOS within its core markets, particularly China," commented Canalys analyst Ben Stanton. "Consumers are responding positively to the seamless connectivity features and the performance improvements Huawei has baked into its ecosystem."
Driving the Surge: Flagship Launches and Ecosystem Synergy
Analysts point to several key factors fueling this rapid adoption:
- Compelling New Hardware: The recent launch of the highly anticipated Huawei Pura 80 Series Ultra has been a major catalyst. Featuring breakthrough imaging technology powered by Huawei's in-house XMAGE system and the latest Kirin chipset, the Pura 80 series has generated significant consumer excitement and robust sales.
- Expanding the Ecosystem: HarmonyOS's strength lies in its "Super Device" concept, enabling seamless interaction between phones, tablets, wearables, smart home devices, and, soon, PCs. The success of devices like the premium Huawei MatePad Pro 13.2 (2025) , designed as a powerhouse companion to HarmonyOS phones, reinforces the ecosystem's appeal and drives multi-device ownership.
- Maturing App Ecosystem: Huawei's relentless push to grow its AppGallery and HMS Core services has significantly narrowed the app gap that initially hampered HarmonyOS adoption. Major global and regional developers increasingly support the platform.
Beyond Smartphones: HarmonyOS Eyes the PC Arena
Huawei isn't resting on its smartphone success. The company has made it clear that HarmonyOS's ambitions extend far beyond mobile. Industry watchers are keenly anticipating Huawei's imminent foray into the personal computer market with HarmonyOS-powered laptops. A recent deep-dive discussion on the Canalys EMEA Forum explored the potential impact and strategy behind this significant move. This expansion promises to further unify the user experience across all major device categories under one operating system, a key differentiator against competitors like Apple, Microsoft, and Google.
Market Context and Future Outlook
Reaching 100 million HarmonyOS smartphones solidifies Huawei's position back in the global top five vendors, primarily driven by its massive home market dominance. While international sales outside China remain a challenge due to the lack of GMS, the company continues to make inroads in regions like Asia-Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa with its compelling hardware and growing app support.
The achievement also intensifies the competition within China, putting pressure on rivals like Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo, and Apple. Huawei's blend of advanced hardware, a unique ecosystem experience, and strong brand loyalty presents a formidable challenge.
Accessory Integration:
Complementing its core devices, Huawei's ecosystem includes a range of popular accessories like the Huawei FreeBuds Pro 3 available on Amazon , known for their superior noise cancellation and seamless pairing with HarmonyOS devices.
What's Next?
Hitting the 100 million mark is a crucial validation for HarmonyOS. The focus now shifts to sustaining this momentum. Key challenges include:
- Accelerating international adoption without GMS.
- Continuing to attract top-tier global app developers.
- Successfully launching and gaining traction for HarmonyOS PCs against established players.
- Maintaining hardware innovation, particularly in chipset development.
"Huawei has proven it can build a viable, large-scale alternative mobile ecosystem," Stanton concluded. "The 100 million milestone is just the foundation. The real test is whether they can translate this smartphone success into a truly global, multi-device HarmonyOS powerhouse. Their move into PCs is the next critical chapter in that story."
For now, Huawei celebrates a hard-won victory. Surpassing 100 million HarmonyOS smartphones signifies not just recovery, but the emergence of a potent third force in the global mobile OS landscape.
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