Huawei made a bold statement last year with HarmonyOS NEXT, a fully revamped operating system meant to unify its ecosystem—from smartphones and tablets to smartwatches and laptops. The first wave of HarmonyOS NEXT phones and tablets is already available in China, with a growing library of essential apps. Huawei had also promised that its upcoming PCs in 2025 would follow suit, ditching Windows and Linux in favor of its own platform.
But fresh leaks suggest that might not be happening—at least not just yet.
Huawei’s Next Laptops Might Skip HarmonyOS NEXT
A new leak from China hints at five new Huawei laptops in development, none of which are expected to run HarmonyOS NEXT. Instead, they’ll reportedly ship with Linux.
The models include:
- MateBook D14
- MateBook D16
- MateBook 14
- MateBook GT 14
- MateBook X Pro
What’s puzzling is that these are described as 2024 models, rather than part of the anticipated 2025 lineup that was supposed to introduce HarmonyOS NEXT on laptops. That could mean one of two things: Either Huawei is holding off on the transition for now, or these aren’t the flagship HarmonyOS NEXT machines the company had promised.
Huawei’s PC Strategy: A Moving Target
Huawei’s approach to PCs has been fluid over the years. In China, the company has already been selling Linux-based laptops, while international versions typically come with Windows. But a firm statement last year indicated that 2025 models would mark the transition to HarmonyOS NEXT, leaving many to wonder whether these new leaks signal a shift in plans.
There are a few possibilities:
- The leaked models are interim devices meant to fill the gap before the HarmonyOS NEXT transition.
- Huawei is still testing HarmonyOS NEXT for PCs and isn’t ready for a full rollout.
- The transition could be phased, with select models getting the new OS first.
Why HarmonyOS NEXT on PCs Matters
Huawei isn’t just trying to replace Windows—it’s aiming to create a seamless cross-device experience. HarmonyOS NEXT is built on a custom microkernel, which the company claims is three times more efficient than Linux.
It also introduces several ecosystem-wide features:
- Universal App Development: Developers only need to build a single version of an app, which then scales across phones, tablets, wearables, and laptops.
- App Continuation: Users can start a task on one Huawei device and pick it up on another, without interruption.
- Better Performance and Security: Huawei argues that its microkernel structure makes the OS more efficient and secure than traditional Linux-based systems.
What This Means for Consumers
For now, those expecting HarmonyOS NEXT laptops may have to wait a little longer. The 2024 models seem to be sticking with Linux, at least according to these leaks. However, the bigger picture hasn’t changed—Huawei is still working toward a Windows-free future, even if it takes longer than expected.
One thing is clear: HarmonyOS NEXT laptops are coming. The only question is when.
