On March 20, Huawei held the Pura Pioneer Festival and introduced HarmonyOS 5 (Hongmeng 5). The company also launched the Huawei Pura X, the first phone to come with HarmonyOS 5 pre-installed. This marks the start of the system’s official rollout.
The new update improves speed, AI features, device connection, and security. Huawei also shared an upgrade plan for older devices. The Mate70 series will be among the first to get HarmonyOS 5. Huawei aims to build a strong and independent system, giving users another choice besides Android and iOS.
Top Features of HarmonyOS 5
Huawei has introduced several major upgrades with HarmonyOS 5, focusing on performance, convenience, AI-powered automation, and cross-device capabilities. Below are the top 10 highlights of the new operating system.
1. Faster and Smoother Performance
Huawei says HarmonyOS 5 is 30% faster than before. Apps open quicker, scrolling is smoother, and switching between apps is effortless. The system also uses memory better, freeing up to 1.2GB of RAM. This helps older devices run more smoothly.
The improved system also extends battery life. Phones running HarmonyOS 5 use less power when running apps, browsing the web, or playing games. Users will notice fewer lags and a longer battery lifespan.
2. Easy File Sharing with Touch-to-Share
Users can now share photos, videos, and documents by bringing two Huawei devices close together. This keeps the original quality of files and works for shopping links, videos, and games too.
Users no longer need to send files through third-party apps or cloud services. This feature works offline and allows instant file transfers without losing quality. It also keeps private files more secure since they don’t go through the internet.
3. Smarter Xiaoyi AI Assistant
Xiaoyi, Huawei’s AI assistant, is now smarter. It can help with travel plans, document organization, and local services. Users can ask Xiaoyi for help by voice or text.
For example, if you need a travel guide for Huangshan, Xiaoyi will create an itinerary, a list of attractions, and restaurant suggestions in seconds. It also provides quick answers for government services, like real estate registration locations.
Xiaoyi can also help with daily tasks. Users can ask for reminders, schedule meetings, or organize to-do lists. The assistant learns user preferences and gives better suggestions over time.
4. Drag-and-Drop AI Features
Users can drag and drop images, files, and text onto Xiaoyi to get instant help.
Examples:
- Drag a financial report, and Xiaoyi will summarize key points.
- Drag a product image, and Xiaoyi will find similar items online.
- Drag a document, and Xiaoyi will organize the data into a table.
This makes tasks faster and easier. Students, office workers, and content creators will find this feature useful.
5. Live Windows for Real-Time Updates
HarmonyOS 5 adds Live Windows, similar to Apple’s Live Activities. It lets users see real-time updates without opening an app.
Examples:
- Track food deliveries on the lock screen.
- Follow ride-sharing updates without opening the app.
- View fitness stats while doing other tasks.
This makes checking important information quick and easy.
6. Faster QR Code Scanning
Users can now scan and pay instantly without opening an app.
New features:
- Auto-scan on unlocking—no need to search for the QR scanner.
- Long-distance scanning for faraway codes, like in parking lots.
- Quick payments with Huawei Pay and Alipay.
This makes shopping and payments faster. It also improves security by avoiding fake QR codes that redirect to harmful websites.
7. Knuckle Gestures for Quick Actions
Users can draw a circle on the screen with their knuckle to quickly grab important information from messages, images, or web pages.
For example, if you see an address, phone number, or reservation code, just circle it, and HarmonyOS will save it instantly.
Huawei first introduced knuckle gestures in older models, but now they work faster and recognize more types of content.
8. Sync Content Across Devices
HarmonyOS 5 syncs content across Huawei devices. Users can switch between their phone, tablet, and PC without losing progress.
Examples:
- Read a book on your phone and continue from the same page on your tablet.
- Start a movie on your PC and finish it on your phone.
- Edit a report on your laptop, and it updates on all devices.
This creates a smooth multi-device experience. It is useful for students, professionals, and entertainment lovers.
9. Stronger Privacy and Security
Huawei improved privacy controls in HarmonyOS 5.
New security features:
- Blocks apps from accessing call logs and messages without permission.
- Stops apps from tracking users unnecessarily.
- Gives users temporary permissions for one-time photo access.
These upgrades protect user data and increase control over privacy. Users will get real-time alerts when apps try to access sensitive information.
10. Better Multi-Device Connection
Huawei made cross-device sharing easier.
Users can:
- Copy text on their phone and paste it on a PC instantly.
- Access tablet photos from a phone without cloud storage.
- Edit a drawing on a tablet, and changes appear on a PC in real-time.
This allows for seamless work across multiple devices. It is perfect for students, designers, and business professionals.
Huawei Pura X: First Phone with HarmonyOS 5
Huawei will launch the Pura X on March 30. It will have:
- A 6.3-inch wide foldable display for an immersive experience.
- A 3.5-inch outer screen, making it easy to use when folded.
- HarmonyOS 5, offering a smooth and feature-rich experience.
With HarmonyOS 5, the Pura X offers a unique smartphone experience, different from Android and iOS.
Final Thoughts
HarmonyOS 5 improves speed, AI, device connections, and security. It gives users a better, smarter, and safer experience. As Huawei continues to build its own system, it offers an exciting alternative to Android and iOS. More devices will get HarmonyOS 5 in the coming months, making the Huawei ecosystem stronger than ever.
Source: Giz China