Huawei Launches 독자OS, Unveils 'Wangnuni Camera' Smartphone P50 Pro... Release Date TBD

[Asia Economy Reporter Joeslgina] Chinese tech giant Huawei unveiled the 2.0 version of its independently developed smartphone operating system (OS), 'Hongmeng (鴻蒙·Harmony) 2.0,' along with its next strategic smartphone, the 'P50 Pro.' As previously reported, the design features an ultra-large camera module known as the so-called 'Wangnuni Camera.' However, the release date has not yet been confirmed.

According to IT specialist media such as PhoneArena, Huawei held an online product launch event on the evening of the 2nd, where it announced the Harmony 2.0 OS along with devices equipped with it, including the smartwatch 'Huawei Watch 3,' the tablet 'MatePad Pro,' and the wireless earphones 'FreeBuds 4.' Huawei stated, "We will upgrade smartphones, tablet PCs, and other smart devices to Harmony OS."

At the event, Huawei also revealed a video showcasing the P50 Pro, originally scheduled for release in March, for the first time. The video shows the back of the smartphone featuring an ultra-large ultra camera module composed of two oval-shaped openings. This is the largest camera sensor ever installed on a smartphone. It also confirmed that the partnership with German company Leica has been maintained up to the P50 series.

The P50 series, Huawei's core strategic flagship model, has been a hot topic even before its release, with speculation about the inclusion of Harmony OS. However, Huawei did not disclose an exact release schedule on this day either.

Richard Yu, CEO of Huawei, said, "It will be released in spring," adding, "We are working hard to launch this excellent product." He emphasized the P50's lightweight design and iconic design language. He also stated, "It will take mobile photography to a new level."

IT media outlet The Verge reported, "The camera bump size appears to be larger than that of the P40 Pro Plus, which has long been considered the 'king of smartphone zoom.' The P50 may be equipped with larger sensors and lenses." It added, "There is a high possibility that the P50 series comes with Harmony OS built-in, but this was not confirmed from the released video."

Major foreign media analyzed that the delay in the P50 series release is due to the global semiconductor shortage and the impact of U.S. sanctions. PhoneArena reported, "At this stage, U.S. trade sanctions will not disappear. This is the reason why the independent OS, Harmony OS, exists," adding, "The release date has not been confirmed, but at least the design has been confirmed."

For Huawei, which is struggling in the smartphone business due to U.S. government sanctions, the performance of the next-generation flagship P50 series is very important. Huawei's smartphone shipments this year are expected to be between 70 million and 80 million units, about half of last year's volume.

On this day, Huawei also confirmed that Harmony 2.0 is not just a simple OS but aims to be an Internet of Things (IoT) platform connecting various electronic devices. However, major foreign media pointed out that even if it succeeds in its home market of China, it will inevitably face difficulties in overseas markets.

The newly unveiled Huawei Watch 3 and Huawei Watch 3 Pro feature designs and functions similar to their predecessors. They have a round 1.43-inch OLED display supporting a 60Hz refresh rate. They can also track and manage heart rate, sleep activity, and more. The new models have a newly designed home screen and support native video calls.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.