Huawei launches HarmonyOS 6 in preparation for the Mate 80 release next month.

      Credit: Huawei

      On Wednesday, Huawei introduced its next-generation operating system, HarmonyOS 6, and revealed that the upcoming Mate 80 series will be the company’s first flagship smartphones to utilize this new system. Focusing on the principles of “smooth, intelligent, and secure,” the update takes advantage of thorough software-hardware integration to provide an improved smart experience across devices.

      As the inaugural devices to feature HarmonyOS 6, the Mate 80 series is anticipated to launch by the end of November, potentially powered by the Kirin 9030 chipset.

      Why it matters: This launch highlights Huawei’s efforts to develop HarmonyOS as an independently owned operating system, distinct from Android and iOS. The industry is eager to see how the Kirin 9030 performs, as it could showcase Huawei’s latest chip advancements in spite of ongoing global restrictions.

      Details: HarmonyOS 6 is the sixth significant update to Huawei’s HarmonyOS since the original version, HarmonyOS 1, was released in August 2019.

      Huawei claims that HarmonyOS 6 enhances smoothness, offering a 15% performance increase for devices upgrading from HarmonyOS 5 and a 40% boost for those coming from HarmonyOS 4. Currently, more than 23 million devices are running HarmonyOS 5, and major applications like WeChat have completed their compatibility updates.

      The AI assistant of Huawei, Xiao Yi, has been upgraded to a more proactive service model, capable of managing complex tasks with a single command—ranging from travel planning and check-ins to medical appointments. Now supporting 16 dialects and image recognition for visually impaired users, Xiao Yi powers over 80 HarmonyOS app AI assistants across sectors like healthcare, travel, and entertainment.

      HarmonyOS 6 also features improved privacy and security attributes, including proactive risk alerts that can automatically identify various potential scams during incoming calls. Users have the ability to securely share files, controlling access to specific recipients or setting files to self-destruct after a single view.

      Context: The Huawei Mate 80 series is expected to be launched in mid to late November, with sales starting in early December. All models will come with HarmonyOS 6 preinstalled and will be powered by the Kirin 9030 processor, which includes an active cooling fan system for the first time, according to MyDrivers. The lineup features 6,000mAh silicon-carbon batteries, and some variants may also support 100W wired and 80W wireless fast charging.

      Jessie Wu is a tech reporter based in Shanghai. She reports on consumer electronics, semiconductor, and the gaming sector for TechNode. You can connect with her via e-mail: [email protected].

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