Huawei Unveils First HarmonyOS Laptops Amid US Tech Restrictions
- tech360.tv
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
Huawei has launched its first laptops powered by its proprietary Harmony operating system, marking a significant step in its efforts to reduce reliance on US technology.
The Chinese tech giant introduced the MateBook Fold and MateBook Pro on Monday, both running HarmonyOS 5, during a livestreamed event led by Huawei Consumer Business Group Head Yu Chengdong.
The MateBook Fold, featuring an 18-inch OLED double screen and no physical keyboard, is priced at 23,999 yuan (USD 3,328). The MateBook Pro, a more traditional model with a keyboard, starts at 7,999 yuan.
Huawei began developing HarmonyOS in 2015 and launched it on smartphones in 2020. The company started working on laptop prototypes in 2021.
The HarmonyOS for computers currently supports over 150 applications, including WPS Office and Meitu Xiu Xiu. Huawei reported that more than 7.2 million developers were building apps for the system by the end of 2024, with HarmonyOS installed on over 1 billion devices.
Huawei did not disclose the chip used in the new laptops but attributed the high prices to the cost of new manufacturing technology. The company has been developing its own chip and software capabilities since 2019, when the US began restricting its access to American technology over national security concerns.
In 2023, the US revoked licences that had allowed firms like Intel and Qualcomm to supply chips to Huawei. The move followed backlash from Republican lawmakers over Huawei’s AI-enabled laptop powered by an Intel processor.
Huawei launches MateBook Fold and MateBook Pro with HarmonyOS 5
MateBook Fold priced at USD 3,328; MateBook Pro starts at USD 1,109
HarmonyOS now supports over 150 apps and runs on 1 billion devices
Source: REUTERS