Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo, and Huawei might explore having no-Google Android phones, but can it happen?
This rumour sounds sketchy, but we can see why it’s making its rounds in the tech circuit. Our findings, however, are different. #xiaomi #oppo #vivo #huawei #google #android
Xiaomi 15 Ultra at MWC 2025. Photo: HWZ.
A recent report by Xiaomi fansite Xiaomitime has put forward a new, if contrarian rumour. It asserted that three Chinese tech players, namely Xiaomi, BKK Group, and Huawei, might collaborate and explore how to build a Google-less Android alternative to smartphones.
Why did this rumour come about?
Huawei Mate X6. Photo: HWZ.
It was not that long ago (2019) that the U.S. government restricted Huawei's access to Google and Android apps. The consequences were clear from the internationally available Huawei phones that followed, where Huawei had to adopt an Android fork for these devices (primarily based on Android 12).
This remained true, as seen with our recent experience with the Huawei Mate X6. Huawei’s AppGallery apps are preferred over regular Android alternatives, with many app developers doing double work by having AppGallery versions of the same Android/iOS apps (e.g. Singpass, Atome, and more).
HarmonyOS NEXT by Huawei. Image: Huawei.
This further emboldened Huawei towards its true Android-less phone operating system, HarmonyOS NEXT, announced in 2024. Android APKs would not be compatible with this version of Huawei’s operating system and user interface, instead entirely relying on the support of app developers and the AppGallery apps that sprouted in the last few years.
Which brings us to this rumour
OPPO's ColorOS 15 technical demo and presentation in OPPO's Singapore HQ. Click the image to read the article. Photo: HWZ.
Per Xiaomitimes’ report, Xiaomi, Huawei, and BBK Electronics (the parent company of phone brands like OPPO, Vivo, OnePlus, Realme, and iQOO) might be exploring a partnership where these Chinese firms come together to work on a Google-less version of Android.
However, the report doesn’t specify details, like where or when the meeting occurred or what exactly was discussed. It also provides a very scant analysis of why this is feasible, short of saying that these phone brands can rely a little less on Google and see juicy app marketplace money flowing in.
The thrust, however, is clear: a new tariff-based trade war has recently picked up pace, with both U.S. and China increasing fees and rates for goods imported and exported to each other (but somehow not including services). So, it stands to reason that Chinese phone brands must plan ahead.
Why it works, why it doesn’t
We think it’s more feasible that non-Huawei Chinese phone brands are looking into ways to support Huawei’s apps without losing their privileged access to Google. Here’s why.
As recently as MWC 2025, several Chinese phone companies and Google announced even deeper partnerships in the phone space. These companies rely on each other to see greater adoption of mobile AI usage, with Google pushing a platform-agnostic version called Google Gemini.
Honor's "Alpha Plan" with its US$10 billion commitment to AI over the next five years is not a number you just throw around. Photo: HWZ.
We also know that developing AI that works for an average consumer does not come cheap. A recent visit to Honor’s flagship smartphone factory reminded us that it will cost Honor US$10 billion across five years to invest in AI development, and that is for AI features that you don’t get from using Google or Gemini.
Qualcomm's recent strides in its compute and engineering prowess is also hard to ignore, if you want to stay competitive as a phone maker. Photo: HWZ.
This doesn’t yet consider the processing power needed to run phone AI tasks. In case you forgot, it is goods, not services, that are impacted by ongoing trade tariffs. Processors like Qualcomm’s (a San Diego-based company) are more likely to be affected than software services (and yes, Qualcomm said it themselves).
With renewed vows, minimal ill will between tech firms, finite money, an intricate symbiotic relationship across the globe, and fewer resources available to all, it’s also much harder to suddenly cut the Google cord.
It's not just about money, but also users
Worldwide smartphone shipments in 2024, per Canalys' findings. Image: Canalys.
The other side of this coin is market share.
In 2024, Huawei comfortably sat in second place (at 16%) in China, while two of BBK Electronics' brands, Vivo and OPPO, commanded 17% and 15%, respectively.
As far as the Mainland is concerned, a more homogeneous app market, not fragmented by wars, is mutually beneficial.
Outside of China, however, non-Huawei Chinese brands have a bigger say. For example, OPPO led the market share for Southeast Asia in 2024, and Xiaomi is a regular top-three performer in global reach. It's hard to drop an entire operating system unless you're prepared to inconvenience everyone outside the U.S.A.
Yes, Vertu is still making phones. Yes, some can boot multiple OSes. No, we don't know why they cost more than some body parts on the black market. Image: Vertu.
From a tech perspective, you also don't have to alienate users. Android phones can do dual-booting, which means a single phone can carry multiple operating systems. The most famous example we have is luxury phone brand Vertu, with its Ironflip series and Metavertu 2 handsets carrying three operating systems in a single body (Android, some "Web3 blockchain-based" OS, and a “security OS” for more sensitive data).
While Vertu’s approach likely means nothing to Chinese phone brands or their users, it shows that it is possible for mobile devices to support multiple operating systems, and having to pick sides can be avoided.
Unity through trials and tribulations
OPPO Find X8 Pro in Times Square, New York. Click to read our review. Photo: HWZ.
Considering all the above, we think it’s more likely that major Chinese phone brands will work together to help Huawei because it’s good to have a backup in uncertain times. However, these Chinese brands are not expected to discard the decades of goodwill they’ve painstakingly built with Google (and vice versa) and its users around the world.
Until then, it’s worth watching this space because phones hold such intimate and essential positions in our lives, and these brands are responsible for that.
Our articles may contain affiliate links. If you buy through these links, we may earn a small commission.