Android Left Behind – iOS Has Far Behind, Here’s Its Replacement in China
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia –Huawei’s HarmonyOS operating system has managed to beat Apple’s iOS in China. This was revealed by the Counterpoint research firm’s report for the fourth quarter (Q4 2024).
HarmonyOS managed to collect a market share of 19% in China, while iOS only had 17%. Android is still far ahead with a market share of 64%.
However, Android’s market share shows a downward trend in China and globally. Android experienced a 5% decline in China quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) in Q4 2024.
Counterpoint’s global report also shows that the market share of Android and iOS each fell 1%, while HarmonyOS rose from 2% to 4% in Q1 2024 year-on-year (YoY).
Meanwhile, in Q4 2024 on a global scale, iOS again showed a 1% YoY decline, Android stagnated YoY, and HarmonyOS rose 1% YoY, quoted from the official Counterpoint page, Monday (3/17/2025).
When viewed globally throughout the year, HarmonyOS tends to stagnate. However, specifically in China, HarmonyOS has grown consistently and has managed to beat iOS.
HarmonyOS is still far from being able to compete with Android, because Google’s operating system is indeed used by almost all non-iPhone phones from various brands in the world. However, with great ambition plus pressure from the US, it is possible that HarmonyOS will continue to grow and slowly be able to match Android’s dominance.
Huawei’s Big Target for HarmonyOS
Huawei currently has more than 15,000 applications on HarmonyOS that can meet consumer needs. Going forward, Huawei is targeting 100,000 new applications in its ecosystem.
“Based on our analysis, for the Harmony ecosystem to mature to meet consumer needs, 100,000 apps is a milestone, and it is the main goal for the next six to 12 months,” Huawei Chairman Xu Zhijun said in a speech posted on the WeChat messaging app, as quoted by Reuters, in December 2024.
The ambitious app target highlights the urgency of developing homegrown technology as China faces rising tensions with the United States.
The tensions, which span industries ranging from trade to technology, come as President Donald Trump has threatened to get tougher on China.
Huawei launched its operating system five years ago after U.S. sanctions cut off support for Google’s Android.
The Shenzhen-based company then developed an open-source version of the Harmony system.
“Because of U.S. sanctions, Huawei was forced to accelerate the development of its own operating system,” Xu said.
“While much progress has been made, for any operating system, no matter how advanced, it will be meaningless if no one uses it,” he said.
SOURCE : CNBC INDONESIA
