In the world of smartphones, Huawei has made its mark with its impressive lineup of devices, including the popular Huawei P9. However, with the recent tensions between Huawei and Google, users of the P9 are left wondering about the fate of their beloved device. Will the Huawei P9 get the Harmony OS – the alternative operating system that Huawei has been developing? In this article, we will delve into all the essential details surrounding this issue and provide you with the latest updates on whether or not the Huawei P9 will be compatible with Harmony OS.
What Is Harmony OS And Its Significance In The Huawei P9?
Harmony OS, also known as HongMeng OS in China, is an operating system developed by Huawei as an alternative to Android. It is designed to provide a seamless and efficient user experience across various devices, including smartphones, tablets, and smart home appliances.
The significance of Harmony OS in the Huawei P9 lies in the fact that it offers Huawei an independent operating system that can reduce its dependence on Android. With the ongoing trade tensions between the United States and China, Huawei faced restrictions on using Google Mobile Services, which limited its access to popular apps and services. Harmony OS can potentially alleviate these concerns by providing an ecosystem that is not reliant on Google’s services.
Additionally, Harmony OS is touted as a lightweight and secure operating system, offering improved performance and enhanced privacy protection. It also promises to provide a unified user interface and seamless connectivity between different Huawei devices. Therefore, the integration of Harmony OS on the Huawei P9 can offer users a more versatile and secure smartphone experience.
The Current Operating System On The Huawei P9 And Its Limitations
The Huawei P9, released in 2016, came with Android 6.0 Marshmallow pre-installed, layered with Huawei’s EMUI 4.1 interface. Over the years, the device received updates, and users could upgrade to EMUI 5 based on Android 7.0 Nougat. However, further major Android updates were unavailable due to the US trade ban on Huawei. This limitation resulted in a lack of access to newer features and security patches offered by the latest Android versions.
As a consequence of the restrictions, Huawei smartphones, including the P9, lost access to Google Mobile Services (GMS). This absence deprived users of popular apps like Google Maps, Gmail, and the Google Play Store. Although Huawei introduced its own alternative app store, AppGallery, the absence of GMS affected the overall app availability and user experience.
Moreover, the aging hardware of the Huawei P9 struggled to keep up with newer software demands, causing slower performance and reduced battery life. While the P9 initially offered an excellent user experience with its 5.2-inch 1080p display and dual Leica cameras, its outdated software hindered its full potential.
Considering these limitations, users eagerly awaited an upgrade that could breathe new life into their Huawei P9 devices.
2. The current operating system on the Huawei P9 and its limitations.
Currently, the Huawei P9 operates on Android-based EMUI (Emotion User Interface), which is a highly customized version of Android developed by Huawei. Although EMUI provides a unique user experience, it has its limitations. One major drawback is its heavy reliance on Google Mobile Services (GMS), which include popular applications like Gmail, Google Maps, and the Google Play Store. Due to the US trade ban, Huawei’s access to GMS has been restricted, resulting in the absence of these essential Google apps on the Huawei P9.
3.
Huawei’s Previous Attempts To Develop An Alternative To Android.
In response to the trade ban and to reduce Huawei’s reliance on Android, the company embarked on a journey to develop its own operating system. In 2019, Huawei announced Harmony OS, formerly known as Hongmeng OS. Initially designed for IoT devices, Harmony OS aims to provide a unified platform for a wide range of devices, including smartphones.
However, it is important to note that Huawei’s previous attempts to create an alternative to Android have not been focused specifically on the Huawei P9. Huawei introduced its own operating system as a strategic measure for future devices, and it is not clear whether the Huawei P9 will be able to support Harmony OS. The company has primarily focused on newer smartphone models for Harmony OS integration.
Overall, Huawei’s previous attempts to develop an alternative to Android have laid the foundation for the potential adoption of Harmony OS on Huawei devices, including the Huawei P9. However, the compatibility and implementation of Harmony OS on the Huawei P9 remain uncertain at this point.
Overview Of Harmony OS And Its Features
Harmony OS is Huawei’s proprietary operating system designed to provide a seamless and integrated experience across various devices. It is a distributed operating system that aims to enhance cross-device collaboration, security, and efficiency. One of the key features of Harmony OS is its ability to support a wide range of devices, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, and wearables.
Harmony OS utilizes a microkernel architecture, which enables it to deliver improved performance and security. The microkernel design allows for better isolation between different system components, reducing the risk of system crashes and vulnerabilities. Additionally, Harmony OS supports seamless collaboration between devices by enabling them to share resources and work together in real-time.
The operating system also prioritizes user privacy and data security. It incorporates advanced security measures such as formal verification, trusted execution environments, and dynamic labeling to protect user information and ensure a secure environment for users.
In terms of user experience, Harmony OS offers a unified development platform that simplifies app development and deployment. Developers can use HarmonyOS APIs to create applications that run smoothly across different devices, providing users with a consistent and seamless experience.
Overall, Harmony OS brings several notable features and advancements that could significantly enhance the user experience on the Huawei P9 if it were to receive the update.
Compatibility And Requirements For The Huawei P9 To Run Harmony OS
To run Harmony OS on the Huawei P9, there are certain compatibility and requirements that users need to be aware of. First and foremost, it’s important to note that Harmony OS is designed to work best on newer Huawei devices. The Huawei P9, being an older model, may face some limitations in terms of hardware capabilities.
One of the key requirements for running Harmony OS is having sufficient RAM and storage space. While the exact specifications have not been confirmed, it is expected that the Huawei P9 should have at least 4GB of RAM and a minimum of 64GB of internal storage to run the operating system smoothly.
Additionally, the Huawei P9 should have a compatible chipset that can support Harmony OS. As Harmony OS is designed to provide a seamless and optimized experience, having a powerful chipset will be crucial for performance.
It’s worth noting that Huawei has not officially announced whether the Huawei P9 will be eligible for an upgrade to Harmony OS. As of now, the focus seems to be on newer Huawei models. However, Huawei may release more information in the future regarding compatibility and requirements for older devices like the P9.
Potential Benefits Of Upgrading To Harmony OS On The Huawei P9
The Huawei P9 users might enjoy several potential benefits if they decide to upgrade to Harmony OS. Firstly, Harmony OS is designed to provide a smoother and more responsive user experience compared to the current operating system on the Huawei P9. The new OS promises better performance optimization, leading to faster app launches, improved multitasking capabilities, and reduced power consumption.
Secondly, Harmony OS brings enhanced security features to the Huawei P9, protecting user data and privacy. It adopts a microkernel architecture that isolates different system components and apps, making it more difficult for hackers to exploit system vulnerabilities.
Furthermore, Harmony OS introduces a unified ecosystem that allows seamless integration and cross-device collaboration. Users can enjoy a connected experience between their Huawei P9 smartphone, Huawei smart TVs, and other Harmony OS-powered devices. This integration enables features such as sharing screens, transferring files, and controlling smart devices directly from the smartphone.
Lastly, by upgrading to Harmony OS, Huawei P9 users can stay up to date with the latest software innovations and improvements provided by Huawei. This ensures a more future-proof device and continued support from the company.
Any Drawbacks Or Challenges In Implementing Harmony OS On The Huawei P9
Implementing Harmony OS on the Huawei P9 may pose certain challenges and drawbacks. Firstly, the hardware limitations of the P9 might affect the smooth functioning of Harmony OS. The P9 is equipped with a Kirin 955 chipset and 3GB of RAM, which might struggle to handle the resource-intensive nature of Harmony OS.
Another challenge is the lack of access to Google Mobile Services (GMS), which provide essential apps and services. Without GMS, Huawei P9 users may face difficulties in accessing popular apps like Google Maps, Gmail, and YouTube. Although Huawei has developed its own app store called AppGallery, it lacks some of the major applications found on Google Play Store.
Moreover, the transition from Android to Harmony OS might require users to learn and adapt to a new operating system, which could initially be a challenging experience for some users. Additionally, developers need to modify their existing Android apps or develop new ones specifically for Harmony OS, which can be time-consuming and resource-intensive.
Overall, while Harmony OS offers numerous benefits, there are challenges and drawbacks in implementing it on the Huawei P9, primarily related to hardware limitations, lack of access to GMS, and the need for developers to adapt to the new system.
The Future Of Harmony OS And Its Impact On Huawei’s Smartphone Lineup
The introduction of Harmony OS by Huawei has raised speculation about its potential impact on the brand’s smartphone lineup, including the Huawei P9. As of now, Huawei has not officially confirmed whether the P9 will receive the Harmony OS update. However, considering the P9’s age and limitations, it is unlikely to receive the new operating system.
Huawei is expected to focus on integrating Harmony OS into newer smartphone models, especially those released after the United States ban on Huawei’s access to Google services. These newer devices are more likely to meet the compatibility and hardware requirements necessary for the smooth operation of Harmony OS.
The future of Harmony OS looks promising as it offers Huawei a chance to develop a fully independent ecosystem. If successful, Harmony OS could provide Huawei with a competitive edge by reducing its reliance on external technologies and offering a seamless user experience across a range of devices.
Nevertheless, Huawei’s success with Harmony OS will depend on factors such as developer support, app availability, and consumer adoption. Only time will tell how Harmony OS will shape the future of Huawei’s smartphone lineup.
FAQs
1. Will the Huawei P9 receive an update to Harmony OS?
As of now, Huawei has not announced any plans to release Harmony OS for the Huawei P9. The company has primarily focused on rolling out this operating system to its newer devices. Therefore, it is unlikely that the Huawei P9 will receive an official Harmony OS update in the future.
2. Can I manually install Harmony OS on my Huawei P9?
No, it is not possible to manually install Harmony OS on the Huawei P9. Harmony OS is specifically designed to work with newer Huawei devices and is not compatible with older models such as the P9. Attempting to install Harmony OS on the Huawei P9 may result in software issues or even rendering the device inoperable.
3. Are there any alternative operating systems available for the Huawei P9?
Yes, despite the unavailability of Harmony OS for the Huawei P9, users still have the option to explore alternative operating systems. Android-based custom ROMs such as LineageOS or Resurrection Remix can be installed on the Huawei P9, providing a different user experience and potentially extending the device’s usability. It is important to note that installing custom ROMs may void the warranty and requires technical expertise.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, it is still uncertain whether the Huawei P9 will ultimately receive the Harmony OS. While Huawei has been actively working on developing and implementing this operating system as an alternative to Android, there has been no official confirmation regarding its availability for the P9. However, given Huawei’s commitment to providing software updates and support for their devices, there remains a possibility that the Harmony OS may be extended to the P9 in the future. Until then, Huawei P9 users will have to wait for further announcements from the company.