Huawei Unveils First HarmonyOS-Powered Laptops: MateBook Fold and MateBook Pro Launched in China

In a major step toward self-reliance in the tech industry, Huawei has officially launched its first-ever HarmonyOS-based laptops—the MateBook Fold and MateBook Pro. The announcement, made during a livestreamed event on Monday, marks Huawei’s bold push to challenge dominant Western operating systems like Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS.

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Huawei Launches HarmonyOS Laptops Amid Growing Tech Restrictions

The two new laptops are the first in the world to run HarmonyOS 5, Huawei’s self-developed operating system. Originally introduced in 2019 on Huawei smartphones, HarmonyOS has now expanded to laptops, smart TVs, and other smart devices, with over 1 billion installations globally.

Facing ongoing U.S. sanctions that have restricted its access to key components and software—including chips from Intel and Qualcomm—Huawei has doubled down on its mission to build a complete tech ecosystem from the ground up.

Meet the New Huawei MateBook Fold and MateBook Pro

1. Huawei MateBook Fold

• Operating System: HarmonyOS 5
• Display: 18-inch OLED double screen when unfolded
• Design: Foldable with no physical keyboard
• Starting Price: ¥23,999 (approx. $3,328 USD)

2. Huawei MateBook Pro

• Operating System: HarmonyOS 5
• Design: Traditional laptop with physical keyboard
• Starting Price: ¥7,999 (approx. $1,110 USD)

According to Yu Chengdong, head of Huawei’s consumer business group, the launch reflects the company’s perseverance. “The Harmony laptop gives the world a new choice. We kept on doing the hard things but the right things,” he stated during the launch.

HarmonyOS Ecosystem: Growing Developer Community and App Support

Huawei claims the new laptops already support over 150 compatible applications, including:

• WPS Office (a robust alternative to Microsoft Office)
• Meitu Xiu Xiu (a popular photo editing tool)

The company also reported that by the end of 2024, over 7.2 million developers were actively working on apps for the HarmonyOS ecosystem, contributing to its growth across multiple device categories.

Chipset and Pricing Details Remain Under Wraps

While Huawei did not specify the exact chipset powering the MateBook Fold and MateBook Pro, it hinted that the higher price point is due to the advanced manufacturing technologies used in the chips. The lack of clarity comes amid tightened restrictions from the U.S. government, which has revoked chip supply licenses from U.S. firms like Intel and Qualcomm.

Last year, the launch of Huawei’s first AI-powered laptop using an Intel processor drew criticism from U.S. lawmakers, prompting further restrictions.

What This Means for the Global Laptop Market

With the debut of HarmonyOS laptops, Huawei is officially entering the global PC race—not just as a hardware brand, but as an end-to-end ecosystem provider. The move could reshape the laptop operating system landscape, especially in markets looking to reduce dependence on U.S.-based tech giants.

Final Thoughts

Huawei’s launch of its first HarmonyOS-powered laptops is more than just a product release—it’s a significant move toward building a China-made tech ecosystem amid geopolitical pressures. Whether the MateBook Fold and MateBook Pro will succeed internationally remains to be seen, but Huawei has certainly made it clear: it’s ready to compete with the best.