Huawei Unveils HarmonyOS 7 With Agentic AI and Glass Design
Huawei unveiled HarmonyOS 7 in developer beta during its annual developer conference in Dongguan, China. The new operating system brings a major visual refresh, enhanced AI capabilities, and a reported 15% performance boost compared to the previous version.
One of the most noticeable changes is the new “Liquid Glass” design language. As a result, buttons, sliders, and system controls now feature translucent, glass-like effects. Moreover, the interface responds dynamically to light and movement, creating a more immersive experience. The lock screen also gains 3D spatial effects that transform flat images into layered visuals with depth. Meanwhile, menus and system elements adopt a more fluid and responsive appearance.
Richard Yu Chengdong, chairman of Huawei’s Consumer Business Group, described HarmonyOS 7 as an “all-scenario intelligent operating system” that marks Huawei’s entry into the “agent era.”
Agentic AI Becomes the Core of the Platform
The biggest upgrade arrives through the HarmonyOS Intelligent Agent Framework 2.0. Instead of functioning primarily as an app platform, the operating system now focuses on intelligent task execution. Consequently, AI agents can break down complex requests, access tools independently, and complete actions across multiple applications.
Huawei states that the framework achieves a task execution success rate above 90%. In addition, the upgraded XiaoYi assistant can understand context, remember previous interactions, and connect with more than 2,000 specialized AI agents. Huawei refers to this strategy as “intent as a service,” emphasizing outcomes rather than individual app usage.
Rollout Plans and Market Competition
The developer beta is currently available for supported devices in China. Meanwhile, the company plans to release the stable public version this fall. The update will support smartphones, tablets, PCs, wearables, and IoT devices, ensuring a unified experience across product categories.
At the same time, HarmonyOS 7 strengthens Huawei’s position in the Chinese operating system market. The launch also increases competition with Apple’s upcoming mobile platform. Furthermore, Huawei aims to capitalize on growing demand for AI-powered experiences by placing agentic AI at the center of its ecosystem.
