What do Chinese people ACTUALLY think about HarmonyOS?

Overview

The video explores what Chinese social media users—especially on WeChat and in comment sections—actually think about HarmonyOS. It argues that outside narratives often present opinions as one-sided, while real sentiment is more diverse.

Main perspectives and points

1) National pride / “tech independence” framing

• HarmonyOS (and Huawei) is frequently discussed as part of a geopolitical struggle against the U.S., with some users treating consumer choices as civic duty.
• Some supporters compare buying domestic tech to “supplying ammunition” in a tech war, even while acknowledging the system isn’t perfect yet.
• This patriotic narrative is described as the dominant viewpoint often reflected in international coverage.

2) Skepticism about international scale and “third major system” claim

• Some users push back against the idea that HarmonyOS is the “world’s third major mobile operating system.”
• Criticisms include that HarmonyOS isn’t widely used outside China, with comments implying it only counts as “three” within China.

3) Misconceptions and the “HarmonyOS is just Android” debate

• The video addresses recurring claims that HarmonyOS is simply Android with a different skin.
• The narrator asserts that, since HarmonyOS 5.0, it is not Android-based—while also suggesting that confusion persists both inside and outside China.

4) Real usability friction—especially via the WeChat ecosystem

A major practical concern raised is dependence on the WeChat experience on HarmonyOS. Users report gaps in HarmonyOS WeChat functionality, including:

• Problems loading media in Moments (e.g., placeholders instead of actual content)
• Issues with viewing history and opening saved items
• Additional app compatibility/search problems (e.g., Gaode Maps, Didi, banking apps)

Some users respond by rolling back to older HarmonyOS versions after upgrades:

• The rollback process is described as taking hours and requiring assistance.

Despite the complaints, one consistent positive is noted:

• HarmonyOS WeChat is praised for no ads in articles/comments—though one commenter questions whether ads are absent simply because Tencent hasn’t invested enough to implement them.

The video also highlights a “chicken-and-egg” problem:

• Because HarmonyOS apps aren’t Android-compatible, developers must rebuild apps.
• But the smaller user base makes companies less likely to invest.

5) Price/value concerns undermine the patriotic message

• Multiple comments argue that Huawei devices are not cheap, creating tension with “support domestic” rhetoric.
• Some frame this as an inability to compete on value in the budget segment, with users “voting with their feet.”
• Common sentiments include “can’t afford it” or “can’t afford to use Huawei yet.”

6) Pragmatic and values-based alternatives

• Some users reject nationalism entirely, saying a phone system is just a tool and they’ll choose whatever works best.
• Another viewpoint prioritizes how companies treat employees and whether they follow labor laws, rather than nationality.
• A recurring shorthand is: “Huawei for work, Apple for life,” suggesting people use multiple devices for different needs.

7) Criticism and irony about unconditional support

• The video includes sarcastic or ironic comments mocking “blindly supporting Huawei,” contrasting patriotic claims with realities like lower salaries and higher prices.
• One example frames the user’s situation as using Apple because they can’t afford Huawei—despite claiming patriotic support.

8) Long-term optimism and technical belief

• Some users remain hopeful, arguing that new systems have early gaps and will improve over time.
• Supporters cite technical foundations (e.g., microkernel/full-stack architecture) and compare the current stage to early Android issues that were resolved gradually.
• The video presents this as a “grow with it” attitude rather than immediate satisfaction.

Conclusion

The narrator concludes there is no single “Chinese view” of HarmonyOS. Sentiment ranges from national-pride advocates, to skeptics of global positioning claims, to frustrated users facing app and WeChat compatibility issues, to price-sensitive consumers, to pragmatic users focused on functionality or employee treatment, and finally to long-term believers who expect improvement.

Presenters / contributors

• Presenter / Narrator: Not explicitly named in the subtitles