Chinese smartphone giants quietly prepare to abandon Android
An underground wave is forming in the mobile industry, as many of China's leading smartphone manufacturers are said to be developing their own operating systems, breaking away from the Google ecosystem.
If the trend of Chinese smartphone manufacturers such as Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo or OnePlus leaving the Google ecosystem and developing independent operating systems becomes a reality, this will be a major turning point for the global mobile industry.
Over the years, Android, along with Google's proprietary services (Google Mobile Services: GMS), has maintained a nearly irreplaceable position, largely thanks to the support of major device manufacturers.
However, if these names all change direction, it will not only erode Google's dominance but also profoundly reshape the current mobile technology order, opening up a new competition in platforms, application ecosystems and user experiences on a global scale.
Many Chinese smartphone brands plan to leave Google's Android
A series of recent reports revealed that leading Chinese smartphone manufacturers such as Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo and OnePlus are considering developing independent operating system platforms, no longer dependent on GMS.
This is considered a strategic move in the context of increasing US-China trade tensions, along with concerns about similar bans that have caused Huawei to falter.
In 2019, during President Donald Trump's first term, sanctions from the US Department of Commerce forced Google to stop providing software and services to Huawei, causing the company to lose access to the Google Play Store and core apps.
This blow has seriously weakened Huawei's position in international markets and motivated the company to develop HarmonyOS - a "localized" operating system to reduce dependence on US technology.
Faced with the risk of history repeating itself, the remaining phone brands appear unwilling to be left behind. Some sources suggest that these companies may be collaborating on an initiative to develop an alternative operating system, with potential support from Huawei itself.
Among them, HyperOS 3 - Xiaomi's upcoming operating system is considered to be able to play the role of a foundation for a new mobile ecosystem, independent of Google.
Google Separation: Scenarios and Unsolved Mysteries
Although the official information has not been confirmed, the technology world is asking many questions, will the new operating system be compatible with Android applications, or will it "leave" in the direction of HarmonyOS NEXT, completely not supporting Android applications?
Will Huawei-developed technologies such as Ark Compiler (standalone application compiler) or Petal Maps (Google Maps alternative) be shared in this initiative?
Everything is still unknown. But one thing is certain: if this scenario becomes a reality, it will have a strong impact on the structure of the global smartphone market, which is already too dependent on Android and GMS.
Global market and the “historic turning point” of the Android ecosystem
With Xiaomi, Vivo, and Oppo consistently in the top 5 global smartphone manufacturers, any strategic change from these companies could send shockwaves through the entire Android ecosystem.
The dependence on Google services in many international markets such as Europe, India and Southeast Asia will make “separation” challenging, but also an opportunity for companies to redefine their roles.
Meanwhile, Google is in a difficult position. The tech giant is facing antitrust lawsuits from the US Department of Justice that threaten to change its business structure and the model of control over the Android ecosystem.
If major partners choose to withdraw from GMS, Google's control over Android will be significantly weakened, paving the way for the rise of other alternative platforms.
The global smartphone market is approaching a turning point, as the familiar order of Android and the Google ecosystem faces the risk of being challenged by the industry's "big guys".
While the roadmap for independent operating systems development by companies remains uncertain, it is certain that consumers will be the ones who feel the most clearly the impact of this change, from the opportunity to access diverse mobile platforms and less dependence on Google, to potential inconveniences such as lack of familiar applications, incompatibility and the risk of ecosystem fragmentation.
This may be the start of a new chapter for the mobile market, but it's also a reminder that every technological revolution comes with a price.
