Yes, many Huawei phones have historically run and continue to run on the Android operating system, though newer models have evolved to utilize Android's open-source base with Huawei Mobile Services or Huawei's proprietary HarmonyOS.
Huawei's Deep Roots in the Android Ecosystem
For many years, Huawei was a prominent manufacturer of Android smartphones, delivering devices that ran the full version of Google's operating system, complete with Google Mobile Services (GMS) like the Google Play Store, Gmail, and Google Maps. Their phones were known for combining powerful hardware with Huawei's customized Android experience.
Examples of Huawei Android Devices
A prime example is the Huawei P Smart 2020, which shipped with Android 9.0 OS alongside Huawei's custom user interface, EMUI 9. This particular model featured specifications such as 128GB of internal storage, 4GB RAM, and a 6.21-inch HD display, demonstrating Huawei's commitment to the Android platform in its earlier product lines. Other popular series like the Huawei P series and Mate series also predominantly ran on Android.
Understanding EMUI
EMUI (Emotion UI) is Huawei's custom overlay that sits on top of the Android operating system. While it visually modifies Android's appearance and introduces Huawei-specific features and apps, it fundamentally relies on Android's core functionalities. This allowed Huawei to differentiate its user experience while benefiting from the vast Android app ecosystem.
The Evolution: Post-GMS Restrictions
A significant shift occurred due to U.S. government restrictions, which led to new Huawei phones losing access to Google Mobile Services (GMS). This meant that while these devices could still use the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) – the foundational, open-source code of Android – they could no longer include proprietary Google apps and services.
Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) and AppGallery
In response, Huawei developed Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) as an alternative to GMS. Newer Huawei smartphones often run on the AOSP version of Android, integrated with HMS. This includes Huawei's own app store, AppGallery, which has grown significantly to offer a wide range of applications.
| Feature | Traditional Huawei Android (with GMS) | Newer Huawei Devices (with HMS) |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Android OS (with AOSP & GMS) | Android OS (AOSP base) / HarmonyOS |
| App Store | Google Play Store | Huawei AppGallery |
| Key Services | Google Maps, Gmail, YouTube | Huawei Maps, Huawei Mail, Petal Search |
| Compatibility | Full Google ecosystem | Huawei ecosystem, Android app support |
The Rise of HarmonyOS
Further evolving their strategy, Huawei introduced HarmonyOS (Hongmeng OS in China), its proprietary operating system designed for a wide range of devices, from smartphones and tablets to smartwatches and IoT devices. While HarmonyOS is distinct from Android, it is designed to be highly compatible with Android applications, allowing many existing Android apps to run seamlessly on HarmonyOS devices. Many of Huawei's latest smartphones and tablets now ship with HarmonyOS, marking a strategic move towards an independent ecosystem.
In summary, while older Huawei devices are unequivocally Android phones with GMS, newer models represent an evolution, utilizing either the Android Open Source Project with Huawei Mobile Services or their own HarmonyOS, which maintains strong Android app compatibility.
