For smartphone operating systems, there are more than just two options, but when it comes down to it, it may as well be just two because in the eyes of the consumer, that is, for the most part, all that matters with of course Android being the most popular. Samsung attempted to upset this industry landscape by releasing their own mobile OS called Tizen, although they seem to primarily be focusing their Tizen efforts on smartwatches and their other consumer electronics like smart TVs these days. Huawei, another major Asian brand, is now reportedly following Samsung’s lead and is apparently developing their own mobile operating system under wraps according to the latest rumor.
Huawei has enjoyed much success in the smartphone market within the last year, with device like the Honor 5X that was launched globally (including in the U.S.) having seen worldwide sales of 8 million units since it launched earlier in 2016. It’s this success that, if the rumor proves to be true, may have afforded them the opportunity to start working on their own mobile OS solution so as not to be entirely dependent on Google’s Android OS, which, according to the rumor provided to The Information, is exactly the motive behind Huawei’s decision to pursue this particular project.
Whether or not Huawei actually ever releases their own mobile OS is completely unclear at this point, and it’s worth considering that should they ever launch such a piece of software, it may have nothing to do with competing on Google’s scale in the mobile OS market. If competition is Huawei’s goal, they may have an uphill battle as their Emotion UI (the skin which sits on top of Android on all of their current devices) has proven to be much less popular in Western markets than in Huawei’s home market of China. Having said that, the popularity, or lack there of in this case, of Huawei’s Emotion UI may just be the reason why they’re reportedly hiring a former Apple designer to help them redesign their Android software skin. Huawei is among one of many Chinese brands who manufacture smartphones that are commonly criticized for having a very Apple-like design, and with a fresh new UI skin (one that could also be utilized as the look for their own mobile OS) could potentially grab the affection of consumers in Western markets.