Huawei introduces HarmonyOS 7: a focus on AI agents and competition with iOS
Chinese tech giant Huawei has officially announced the seventh version of its operating system, HarmonyOS. The key focus of the new platform is the integration of intelligent agents (AI agents), marking another step in the company's quest for leadership in the mobile OS market.
A New Level of Interaction with Xiaoyi
The updated voice assistant Xiaoyi can now manage over 2,100 system functions. This is not just an improvement—it is a fundamental expansion of capabilities. Additionally, Xiaoyi is integrated with 2,000 third-party AI agents, creating a powerful ecosystem for task automation, from smart home management to complex workflows.
The openPangu 2.0 Model Family
Alongside the OS, Huawei introduced the openPangu 2.0 model family, designed to operate within the HarmonyOS ecosystem. These are open AI models that, according to the developers, are intended to serve as the "brain" for all devices on the new platform. openPangu 2.0 enables deeper personalization and on-device data processing, reducing reliance on cloud computing.
Market Context and Timeline
The stable release of HarmonyOS 7 is scheduled for autumn 2026. According to the latest data from Counterpoint Research analysts, HarmonyOS's share of the Chinese mobile OS market reached 19% in the first quarter of 2025, while iOS holds 16%. This confirms a steady trend: HarmonyOS is not just catching up but has already overtaken iOS in China.
My expert assessment: The emphasis on AI agents is not just a marketing gimmick but a strategic response to the challenges of the post-smartphone era. Huawei is betting on the seamless integration of artificial intelligence into every aspect of the user experience. If the company can deliver on its stated capabilities without sacrificing performance and security, HarmonyOS 7 will become a serious competitor not only to iOS but also to Android in China.