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Huawei’s HarmonyOS operating system has achieved a major milestone in the Chinese market, according to data from research firm Counterpoint Research. In the first quarter of 2024, HarmonyOS surpassed Apple’s iOS for the first time, becoming the second-largest mobile operating system in China.
The report highlights a significant rise in HarmonyOS market share, jumping from 8% in Q1 2023 to 17% in Q1 2024. Over the same period, iOS’s share declined from 20% to 16%.
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This is the first time since the first quarter of 2019 that iOS has seen a decrease in market share during the first quarter in China. The report partly attributes this decrease to the launch of new 5G smartphones from Huawei, which directly compete with Apple’s products.
HarmonyOS’s growth is not limited to China though. Globally, its market share doubled year-on-year, reaching 4% in Q1 2024, while Android and iOS both saw slight declines from 78% and 20% in Q1 2023 to 77% and 19%, respectively.
Despite this, Android managed a month-on-month rebound in Q1 2024. However, iOS’s share decreased from 23% in Q4 2023 to 19% in Q1 2024. According to Counterpoint, this dip is likely due to the seasonal fluctuations typical of iPhone releases.
HarmonyOS, on the other hand, is experiencing strong 5G adoption. According to Counterpoint, the adoption has increased from 9% in Q1 2023 to 50% in the first year this year. The report further suggests that as Huawei is currently focusing on localizing its supply chain, the trend is expected to continue.
Counterpoint’s findings align with a forecast report by TechInsights released in January 2024, which predicted HarmonyOS would overtake iOS and become the second-largest smartphone operating system in China by the end of the year.
