The president is back in the White House after limiting Huawei’s access to American-made technology. This is most likely the reason why other top Chinese businesses have chosen to work together on a new operating system. I believe this is a positive step, even though it might only be a preventative measure and it might be some time before the efforts pay off.
Huawei is prepared to abandon Android entirely, six years after the US government first imposed limitations on the Chinese corporation. Huawei will now help OnePlus, Vivo, OPPO, and Xiaomi develop an Android substitute that doesn’t use Google. The market for smartphones needs this shock.
Smartphones aren’t as thrilling anymore. Each firm used to have a distinct advantage, but these days they all make phones with essentially the same design.
Operating systems for smartphones have been copying one another for so long that they hardly distinguish one another. Apple’s iOS imitated Android features last year, and Samsung debuted a new One UI 7 version this year that draws inspiration from iOS.
That isn’t always a terrible thing. For example, I’m happy to see Android get its own version of Dynamic Island as I use both iOS and Android phones.
Additionally, I miss the days when smartphone makers were free to try new things and different devices didn’t all have the same user experience.
Microsoft makes sporadic attempts to add some spice, but it never succeeds. Although Google’s Fuchsia OS offered some promise, it appears that smart gadgets would never be able to use this operating system.
Xiaomi and OnePlus’s rumored operating system may make smartphones exciting again.
Every business is on its own as nationalism grows. Chinese businesses must become more independent than ever before because of the ongoing hostility between the US and China. Chinese businesses need to prepare their operating system in case they run afoul of the US government as a precaution.
This has nothing to do with supporting a certain nation or business. Every business, including Samsung, should create its own operating system, in my opinion.
As of right now, though, Android is the only option available to businesses looking to sell phones.
When it comes to purchasing a smartphone, the options are already limited. The majority of consumers will no longer want to purchase phones from Xiaomi and BBK-owned OnePlus, Vivo, and OPPO if they are unable to access Android.
This has already happened with Huawei. However, Huawei has made a resurgence in China as its HarmonyOS matures. The wise course of action is to begin developing a new operating system if Chinese Android manufacturers don’t want to be taken by surprise.
Apple and Samsung stand to gain the most from any possible rift between the US government and Chinese smartphone manufacturers. Google stands to benefit greatly as well because, although producing some of the greatest phones available today, its market share is quite small.
Xiaomi reportedly began developing an in-house microprocessor after learning about potential sanctions. Therefore, even if there hasn’t been any sign that the US wishes to restrict its access to Android, it is still possible.
In the worst case scenario, Apple and Samsung will see exponential growth, potentially leading to a duopolistic market. For this reason, we are in greater need than ever of a third mobile ecosystem.
This will not be a simple undertaking. For example, even after years of development and investment, Huawei’s operating system is still not a full substitute for iOS and Android. There are still not many well-known apps in the company’s app store.
Xiaomi and BBK-owned companies risk alienating customers in international markets if they cease selling Android-powered phones. A redesigned Android skin with cutting-edge functionality and distinctive aesthetic improvements would be a smart place to start.
Google Pixel Watch 5 (45mm)
Robert Haba is the founder and editor-in-chief of Droid Tools. A lifelong gadget enthusiast with over a decade following the Android ecosystem, he built this publication to cut through the noise and give readers honest, real-world coverage of the tech they actually use.
WhatsApp message scheduling has appeared in an Android beta build, allowing users to queue encrypted messages and media up to two weeks in advance.
Global smartphone shipments dropped 20% in Q3 2026 to a 14-year low as memory costs rose, though Samsung retained its top spot with foldables.
Google is emailing a 30% Pixel 11 discount code to select Google AI Pro members, cutting up to $570 off the Pixel 11 Pro Fold without a trade-in.
Google is upgrading Android scam detection across Messages and calls, using Gemini models and new on-device checks to flag suspicious links and phone scams.
The next story loads as you reach the end. You can also load it using the button.
Comments & Discussions
Join the conversation! We use Disqus to handle comments. Click the button below to load the comment section.