Huawei need a robust global software update system

For the last three years, Huawei has developed a robust software update ecosystem in China but it seems like the company needs to pass that spirit also for global smartphone users.

I’ve been tracking Huawei software release progress for the past five years, even before the US sanctions. However, the shift in focus towards HarmonyOS left somewhat impact on the global Huawei phones.

In 2019, Huawei introduced HarmonyOS 1 for smart TVs. In the following year, Huawei launched HarmonyOS 2 for smartphones and announced that all of the Chinese models will upgrade to this new software. Subsequently cutting EMUI from China.

At the time, Huawei kept the EMUI series alive for global users. We don’t have any official statement about why Huawei has not released HarmonyOS for global smartphones. But Huawei is selling HarmonyOS-equipped watches, tablets, and other wearables for global consumers.

HarmonyOS:

Huawei has improved HarmonyOS in every way possible. The software has unique features that aren’t available on many Android phones. It now offers smoother animations that could rival iOS. HarmonyOS is also getting new security and privacy features.

Talking about software support, HarmonyOS users are getting fast software updates, new features, patches, bug fixes, and security patches. The new features and improvements come once in three months security patches each month timespan major feature updates twice a year, and version upgrades once a year. Within the past three years, Huawei has improved the HarmonyOS software support by over 1000% for HarmonyOS users in China.

Global:

On the other hand, Huawei stopped announcing the launch of new EMUI versions as it was doing in the past. There’s no mention of EMUI at the annual developer conference for a long time.

The last year was very sluggish as the company has not even shared the dates of EMUI 13 for the entire year. And the roadmap came in the second quarter of 2023. What’s more frustrating is that only a handful of devices announced to receive EMUI 13. While dozens are left behind in limbo.

Important:

In the world of smartphones, users have already started prioritizing after-sales services. Huawei does understand that but shipping a flagship with a new software version for global users is not enough. It needs seamless software support and timely version upgrades to keep the phone interactive.

The previously sold smartphones also need attention, so these phones remain functional and create a good impact on the consumer experience. Although Huawei is doing these all things on a robust level in China but it also needs to think about a similar software update system approach for the global users.