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| Huawei EMUI | |
|---|---|
| Developer | Huawei |
| OS family | AOSP (Linux, Unix-like) |
| Working state | Current |
| Source model | Free software with proprietary components |
| Initial release | 30 July 2012 |
| Update method | Firmware over-the-air |
| Package manager | Huawei AppGallery (2012–2025, both Global and China), APK files, .app (since HarmonyOS 2) |
| Supported platforms | 32 and 64-bit ARM |
| Kernel type | Multikernel, combination of Monolithic: modified Linux kernel; and HMOS TEE microkernel (since HarmonyOS 2.0) |
| License | GNU General Public License v3, Apache License 2.0, Proprietary |
| Succeeded by | HarmonyOS (HarmonyOS NEXT) |
| Official website | consumer |
EMUI (formerly known as Emotion UI)[1] is an interface based on Android (operating system) developed by Chinese technology company Huawei, used on the company's smartphones primarily globally.
Instead of Google Mobile Services, EMUI devices have used Huawei Mobile Services, such as the Huawei AppGallery, in January 2020 due to United States sanctions imposed during the trade war against China in May 2019. From Version 13 (2022), Huawei additionally bundled the HarmonyOS TEE microkernel with the Android system; this microkernel for example handled identity security features such as the fingerprint authentication.[2]
History
[edit]On 30 December 2012, Huawei introduced Emotion UI 1.0, based on Android 4.0. It features a voice assistant app (only in Chinese), customizable homescreens and theme-switching.[3] The company rolled out installation files for the Ascend P1 through their website.[4] The company claims that it is "probably the world's most emotional system".[5]
On 4 September 2014, the company announced Emotion UI 3.0, along with Ascend Mate 7 in the pre-IFA event in Berlin. The user interface was ever since called "EMUI" instead of "Emotion UI". In Mainland China, the release introduces the Huawei AppGallery application store; international markets continued to use Google Play.[6]
In late 2015, Huawei introduced EMUI 4.0, based on Android Marshmallow.[7] In 2016, EMUI 5.0 was introduced, based on Android Nougat.[8] In 2017, Huawei introduced EMUI 8.0, based on Android Oreo; beginning with this release, the version number would now be aligned with that of the Android version from which it was derived.[9]
Huawei unveiled EMUI 9.0, based on Android Pie, at IFA in 2018. Huawei stated a goal for the release to make EMUI more "simple", "enjoyable", and consistent; it included various usability tweaks, reorganized settings menus, dark mode, gesture navigation, and GPU Turbo 2.0.[10][11][12] Beginning with EMUI 9.0.1, new Huawei devices ship with the company's EROFS file system for its system partitions, which is designed for higher performance in read-only settings on devices with limited resources.[13][14][15] In July 2019, Huawei released EMUI 9.1[16]
EMUI 10, based on Android 10, was announced 9 August 2019 at the Huawei Developer Conference.[17] It features an updated interface with larger "magazine"-styled headings, new animations, colour accents inspired by painter Giorgio Morandi, and Android 10's system-wide dark mode support.[18] Beginning 2020 due to United States sanctions against Huawei (which prohibit U.S.-based companies from doing business with the company), new EMUI smartphones sold internationally (beginning with the Mate 30) were no longer certified by Google, did not include support for Google Mobile Services (GMS) including Google Play, and were marketed as running EMUI with no reference to the Android trademark. These devices introduced the AppGallery and Huawei Mobile Services to international markets as an alternative to Google-provided software.[19][20]
In 2020 alongside the P40, Huawei announced EMUI 10.1, which adds multi-window support, and the new first-party apps Celia and MeeTime. Huawei announced updates for some of its existing devices in June 2020.[21] In September 2020, Huawei publicly announced HarmonyOS 2.0 support with OpenHarmony L3-L5 codebase branch for EMUI 11 updated smartphone devices as the company shifts towards HarmonyOS development. In December 2020, Huawei released the HarmonyOS 2.0 beta for the P30, P40 and P50, which iterates from EMUI 10.[22]
From October 2021, Huawei planned to launch an upgrade bridge to EMUI 12 to older Huawei smartphone models gradually in the first half of 2022 in global markets while HarmonyOS 2 launched in domestic markets, thereby preparing EMUI's successor, HarmonyOS, for global markets in the following years.[23]
EMUI 12 (2022) was the first EMUI version based on HarmonyOS 2 with a watered down OpenHarmony 2.1.0 [L3-L5] core branch variant on top of AOSP base which featured its own distributed file sharing called Distributed File System that adapted with HarmonyOS-powered smart devices with smart TVs, smart speakers and other types of devices which was created from native (HDFS) HarmonyOS Distributed File System [24] and could run native HarmonyOS Ability Package apps. EMUI 12 supported Large Folders that grouped similar apps in a large folder and named the folder for better organised management and discovery of apps.[25]
The difference between running .app based apps on EMUI 12 and HarmonyOS was that EMUI 12 did not support Atomic Services and App Snippets in the form of interactive visual card based widgets. EMUI 12 also did not support HarmonyOS Multi-Device Task Viewer and had a watered-down Super Device user experience via Device+.[26] The EMUI 12 update for older global versions of Huawei smartphones was based on Android 10.[27]
On 20 October 2022, Huawei unveiled EMUI 13 on their official website.[28] It inherited the main features unveiled with HarmonyOS 3, such as widgets that can be stacked on top of one another or folders that can be resized like Android widgets.
Independent Honor, MagicOS 8 with Android 14 reported on 21 July 2023 for delayed November launch, which was eventually launched on 10 January 2024.[29][30]
HarmonyOS 4.0 was released on 4 August 2023. EMUI 14 was demonstrated on Mate 60 RS Ultimate Edition at MWC Barcelona 2024 via Huawei's booth, Barcelona, Spain on 27 February 2024.[31] On 5 March 2024, Huawei Germany announced the EMUI 14 beta program for 13 global smartphone models that comes with HarmonyOS 4 features. The rollout reportedly, is planned for summer, between 6 and 25 June 2024 release on nine models along with Nova 11i models on 3 July 2024,[32] also newer Huawei Mate 60 and P70 flagships bundled with the new software.[33][34]
On 25 April 2024, Huawei rolled out EMUI 14.2 with no major new features such as AI features on HarmonyOS 4.2 Chinese variant, features system stability in Russia with countries planned to follow suit shortly.[35] It also provides MicroG and GBox, which allows using Google apps.[36]
On 12 December 2024, Huawei launched Mate X6 foldable first device preinstalled with the global variant software of HarmonyOS 4.3/EMUI 15 in its Dubai launch event.[37]
Version history
[edit]| Version | Android, HarmonyOS history |
Year of release | Last stable release |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emotion UI 1.x | Android 2.3 – 4.3 | 2012 | 1.6 |
| Emotion UI 2.x | Android 4.2 – 4.4 | 2013 | 2.3 |
| Emotion UI 3.x | Android 4.4 – 5.1 | 2014 | 3.1 |
| EMUI 4.x | Android Marshmallow (6.x) | 2015 | 4.1 |
| EMUI 5.x | Android Nougat (7.x) | 2016 | 5.1 |
| EMUI 8.x | Android Oreo (8.x) | 2017 | 8.2 |
| EMUI 9.x MagicUI 2.x |
Android Pie (9) | 2018 | 9.1 |
| EMUI 10.x MagicUI 3.x |
Android 10 | 2019 | 10.1 |
| EMUI 11.0 MagicUI 4.0 |
Android 10 | 2020 | 11.0 |
| EMUI 12.0 MagicUI 5.2 |
Android 10 (for legacy systems), Android 11 (for devices that pre-shipped with EMUI 12) and HarmonyOS 2 (China) microkernel (OpenHarmony 2.1.0 L3-L5 Dual Frame)[38] | 2021 | 12.0 |
| EMUI 13.x[39] | Based on HarmonyOS 3 (OpenHarmony 3.1 L3-L5), Android version: Android 12 | 2022 | 13.1 |
| EMUI 14.x[40] | Based on HarmonyOS 4 (OpenHarmony 3.2 L3-L5), Android version: Android 12 | 2024 | 14.2 |
| EMUI 15[41] | Based on HarmonyOS 4.3 (OpenHarmony 3.0 L3-L5), Android version: Android 12 | 2024 | 15.0 |
Reception
[edit]Earlier versions of EMUI have been criticized for placing all app icons on the home screen, with some reviewers saying that it tries to imitate Apple's iOS. The app drawer has been brought back as an option in EMUI 5.0.[42] PC Magazine's Adam Smith criticized EMUI for being bloated with duplicate apps and the settings menus being difficult to navigate.[43] EMUI lacks support of AptX and SBC-XQ, which limits audio quality on Huawei devices.
References
[edit]- ^ Wright, Arol (18 November 2019). "Android 10-based Magic UI 3.0 update rolls out for the Honor View 20 and Honor 20". XDA Developers. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
- ^ Barcza, Marton (30 June 2021). "How Huawei plans to take over (HarmonyOS explained)". YouTube. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
- ^ Robertson, Adi (1 September 2012). "Huawei's Emotion UI drops the app drawer, adds beginner-friendly features to Android 4.0". The Verge. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
- ^ Smith, Mat (30 August 2012). "Huawei shows off early version of Emotion UI for Android, packs a 'stock' skin too (hands-on)". Engadget. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
- ^ "Huawei's new Emotion UI gets its own Chinese official website, should be up for download soon". Android Authority. 3 July 2012. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
- ^ Arora, Hitesh (4 September 2014). "Huawei Launches Metal-Clad Ascend G7 With Android 4.4 KitKat at IFA". NDTV Gadgets360.com. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
- ^ Martonik, Andrew (26 November 2015). "Huawei announces Mate 8 in China, sporting Marshmallow and Kirin 950 processor". Android Central. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
- ^ Gondhia, Nirave (4 November 2016). "What's new in EMUI 5?". Android Authority. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
- ^ "Top 5 tips and tricks for getting the most out of EMUI 8". Android Central. 29 December 2017. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
- ^ Gordon, Scott Adam (1 September 2018). "Huawei announces Pie-based EMUI 9.0 at IFA 2018: find out what's new here". Android Authority. Retrieved 18 August 2019.
- ^ "Clean, Current & Custom: Here's what's new with EMUI 9.0". TechCrunch. 18 August 2019. Archived from the original on 18 August 2019. Retrieved 18 August 2019.
- ^ "Have you tried the new Dark Interface from EMUI 9 | HUAWEI Support UK". consumer.huawei.com. Archived from the original on 22 August 2021. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
- ^ Michael Larabel (19 November 2018). "There Is Finally A User-Space Utility To Make EROFS Linux File-Systems". Phoronix. Retrieved 13 December 2018.
- ^ Xiang, Gao (31 May 2018). "erofs: introduce erofs file system". Linux kernel (Mailing list). Retrieved 13 December 2018.
- ^ Xiang, Gao (4 July 2019). "erofs: promote erofs from staging". Linux kernel (Mailing list). Retrieved 3 September 2019.
- ^ "Huawei releases EMUI 9.1 update roadmap". GSMArena.com. 24 June 2019. Retrieved 18 August 2019.
- ^ John H. Jr. (9 August 2019). "Huawei announced the EMUI 10 at HDC 2019". Huawei Central. Retrieved 18 August 2019.
- ^ "Huawei EMUI 10 update: What's new and when will it come to your phone?". Pocket-lint. 15 July 2020. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
- ^ Warren, Tom (19 September 2019). "Huawei confirms the new Mate 30 Pro won't come with Google's Android apps". The Verge. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
- ^ Porter, Jon (12 May 2020). "Huawei's P30 Pro gets another rerelease to keep the Google dream alive". The Verge. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
- ^ "Huawei announces plans for global EMUI 10.1 rollout". Android Police. 18 June 2020. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
- ^ Amadeo, Ron (2 February 2021). "Huawei's HarmonyOS: "Fake it till you make it" meets OS development". Ars Technica. Retrieved 14 February 2021.
- ^ Sarkar, Amy (30 October 2021). "EMUIHuawei EMUI 12 launched, rollout start in 2022". Huawei Central. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
- ^ Li, Deng (2 March 2022). "EMUI 12: Distributed file sharing". Huawei Central. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
- ^ Sarkar, Amy (14 April 2022). "EMUIHuawei EMUI 12 Feature: Large Folders [Video]". Huawei Central. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
- ^ Lesner, Leszek (28 November 2021). "EMUI 12 vs HarmonyOS – Feature Differences!?". YouTube. Techview Podcast. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
- ^ "EMUI 13 will come with Android 12?". Huawei Central. 23 July 2022.
- ^ "EMUI 13 – HUAWEI Global". consumer.huawei.com. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
- ^ Michail. "Honor MagicOS 8.0 announced with intent-based UI and platform-level AI". GSMArena. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
- ^ Sarkar, Amy (21 July 2023). "MagicOS 8.0 (Android 14) eligible devices". HC Newsroom. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
- ^ Guison, Duey (28 February 2024). "Mate 60 RS Ultimate Edition Makes an Appearance at MWC 2024". unbox.ph. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
- ^ Matsui, Emiko (27 March 2024). "Huawei likely to start EMUI 14 stable rollout in June 2024". HC Newsroom. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
- ^ Sarkar, Amy (5 March 2024). "Download the EMUI 14 beta app from here". HC Newsroom. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
- ^ Matsui, Emiko (5 March 2024). "Breaking: Huawei launches EMUI 14 beta program". HC Newsroom. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
- ^ Matsui, Emiko (25 April 2024). "Huawei surprises users with new EMUI 14.2 update, amid EMUI 14 beta rollout". Huawei Central. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
- ^ 完美支援Google,HUAWEI 港行 Pura 70 Ultra 開箱、試效能! [Perfect support for Google: Unboxing HUAWEI Pura 70 Ultra Hong Kong edition and performance test]. Now 新聞 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). 24 May 2024. Retrieved 30 June 2025.
- ^ Slavov, Mariyan (12 December 2024). "Huawei Mate X6 Preview". PhoneArena. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
- ^ "EMUI 13 will come with Android 12?". Huawei Central. 23 July 2022.
- ^ "Huawei Mate 50 Pro Specifications". Huawei Global (consumer). Retrieved 9 September 2022.
- ^ Matsui, Emiko (5 March 2024). "Huawei showcased Mate 60 RS Ultimate Design at MWC 2024". HC Newsroom. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
- ^ Matsui, Emiko (12 December 2024). "Huawei Mate X6 foldable launched for global consumers". Huawei Central. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
- ^ Rutnik, Mitja (25 July 2019). "What is EMUI? A closer look at Huawei's Android skin". Android Authority. Retrieved 7 September 2019.
- ^ Smith, Adam (24 May 2019). "Huawei P30 Preview". PC Magazine. Retrieved 7 September 2019.
History
Origins and Initial Releases
EMUI originated as Huawei's effort to create a customized user interface overlay for Android, aiming to deliver a more intuitive and regionally adapted experience on its smartphones, particularly for the Chinese market. Initially branded as Emotion UI, the software emphasized simplified navigation, thematic customization, and performance tweaks over stock Android's complexity. Development stemmed from Huawei's growing smartphone portfolio in the early 2010s, where the company sought to differentiate its devices through software enhancements that prioritized user-centric design and efficiency. The inaugural release, Emotion UI 1.0, launched on December 30, 2012, built on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. This version introduced core features like a magazine-style layout for app icons, gesture-based controls, and power-saving modes, debuting on mid-range devices such as the Huawei Ascend P1 series. It supported hardware with processors like the Texas Instruments OMAP 4460, focusing on stability for 720p displays and basic multitasking. Subsequent minor updates, including Emotion UI 1.6, followed in 2013, incorporating refinements like improved battery management and compatibility with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean on newer models such as the Ascend D2.[7][2] By mid-2013, Huawei rebranded Emotion UI to EMUI 2.0, marking a shift toward global appeal with Android 4.1 integration, enhanced theming options, and better hardware acceleration for devices like the Ascend Mate. This iteration added floating notifications and smarter resource allocation, addressing feedback on earlier versions' occasional lag on entry-level chipsets. EMUI 2.3, released later in 2013, further optimized for larger screens and introduced privacy controls, setting the foundation for Huawei's iterative approach to UI evolution before major overhauls in subsequent years.[8][9]Expansion and Maturation (2015–2019)
In late 2015, Huawei released EMUI 4.0, based on Android 6.0 Marshmallow, alongside the Mate 8 smartphone.[7][10] This version introduced enhanced camera controls, including manual adjustments for ISO, white balance, and focus, marking an early step toward professional-grade photography integration in mid-range devices.[1] EMUI 4.0 also refined touch responsiveness and battery optimization algorithms, supporting Huawei's growing portfolio of devices like the P9 series in 2016, which expanded its availability beyond China to European and Asian markets.[2] EMUI 5.0 followed in November 2016, debuting with the Mate 9 on Android 7.0 Nougat, emphasizing machine learning for smarter resource allocation and split-screen multitasking.[2][7] The update rolled out to prior flagships like the P9 by mid-2017, incorporating features such as improved notifications and app permission management, which enhanced user privacy controls amid rising global data concerns.[11] This period saw EMUI's maturation through broader device compatibility, with over 20 models updated, facilitating Huawei's smartphone shipments exceeding 139 million units in 2016, a 29% increase from the prior year.[12] By 2017–2018, EMUI 8.0 launched on Android 8.0 Oreo, initially with the Mate 10 series and expanding to the P20 lineup, introducing GPU Turbo technology for up to 30% improved graphics performance in gaming without hardware upgrades.[13][14] Rollouts to devices like the Honor 8 Pro and P10 began in early 2018, adding AI-driven scene recognition in the camera app and refined animations for a more fluid interface.[15] These enhancements supported Huawei's international push, with EMUI adaptations for non-Chinese users emphasizing English-language optimizations and integration with global apps. EMUI 9.0, unveiled at IFA 2018 and released with the Mate 20 series in October on Android 9.0 Pie, further matured the skin with GPU Turbo 3.0 for broader game support and a Digital Balance dashboard to monitor app usage and enforce limits.[16][17] By June 2019, over 80 million users worldwide had upgraded to EMUI 9 from prior versions, reflecting widespread adoption across 500 million active devices and Huawei's strategy to prioritize performance stability over frequent redesigns.[18] This era solidified EMUI as a competitive Android overlay, with refinements in cross-device sharing and low-latency rendering contributing to Huawei's rise as a top global vendor.[19]Post-Sanctions Era and Challenges (2019–Present)
In May 2019, the United States Department of Commerce added Huawei to its Entity List, prohibiting the company from engaging in transactions with U.S. firms without a license, which effectively barred new Huawei devices from including Google Mobile Services (GMS), including the Google Play Store and core Android apps.[20] This restriction, stemming from national security concerns, compelled Huawei to accelerate its Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) ecosystem as a GMS alternative, with EMUI devices relying on HMS Core for push notifications, maps, and payments via the AppGallery store.[21] Post-sanctions EMUI versions, built on Android Open Source Project (AOSP), omitted proprietary Google components, leading to immediate compatibility issues for apps dependent on GMS APIs.[22] EMUI 10, released in August 2019 and based on Android 10, debuted on the Mate 30 series in October 2019 as the first major version without GMS, introducing features like a magazine-style lock screen and cross-device sharing via Multi-Screen Collaboration.[23] Subsequent updates included EMUI 10.1 in March 2020 for the P40 series, adding Celia voice assistant and improved privacy controls. EMUI 11 launched in September 2020, primarily on Android 11 for eligible devices like the P40 and Mate 30, with enhancements to multi-window multitasking and voice-to-text improvements. EMUI 12 arrived in October 2021, featuring a redesigned control center, enhanced privacy features like app permission toggles, and better animation fluidity, rolled out to flagships such as the P50 series.[24] EMUI 13 followed in July 2022, emphasizing personalized themes, super device connectivity for ecosystem integration, and AI-driven interaction like smart suggestions, available on devices including the Mate 50. EMUI 14, announced in August 2023 with beta testing starting March 2024 for global models like the P60, incorporated HarmonyOS-inspired elements such as a refreshed UI with dynamic zoom and quick menus, while maintaining AOSP foundations—reportedly Android 12 for some variants.[4][25] To mitigate GMS absence, Huawei expanded HMS with over 5,800 apps optimized by mid-2020, including Petal Search for web-based alternatives to Google services, and developer incentives via HMS Core kits for push services and analytics.[2] Global devices continued receiving quarterly security patches, with monthly bulletins addressing Android vulnerabilities up to EMUI 14, though update cadences slowed for non-flagships compared to pre-sanctions eras.[26] In parallel, Huawei prioritized HarmonyOS for domestic markets—initially AOSP-compatible but evolving to HarmonyOS Next in 2024 without Android support—while reserving EMUI for international Android-based flagships to ease developer porting via AOSP compatibility.[27] Challenges persisted, including a sharp decline in global smartphone shipments—Huawei's market share fell from 18% in Q2 2019 to under 5% by Q4 2020—due to app shortages, as major services like YouTube and Gmail required workarounds or sideloading, eroding user trust in Western markets.[28] User-reported issues encompassed battery drain in EMUI 10 betas, lagging feature parity with rivals like Samsung's One UI (e.g., absent advanced widgets), and fragmented update eligibility, with 2021-2023 models often capped at EMUI 12 or 13 without further major upgrades.[29] Despite HMS growth to 700 million users by 2023, app ecosystem gaps remained, particularly for banking and social apps reliant on GMS, prompting Huawei executives to affirm in 2025 no reversion to Google even if sanctions eased, citing self-reliant infrastructure.[30] Domestically, HarmonyOS adoption surged past 1 billion devices by late 2024, but global EMUI faced espionage scrutiny and allied calls for restrictions, underscoring ongoing geopolitical tensions.[31]Technical Features
User Interface and Design Philosophy
EMUI's user interface adopts a launcher-based home screen without a traditional app drawer in its early iterations, drawing initial inspiration from iOS aesthetics such as a bottom dock and simplified iconography to prioritize accessibility and fluidity on Android hardware.[32] This approach aimed to streamline navigation for users transitioning from feature phones or iOS devices, emphasizing touch-friendly elements and reduced clutter over Android's default multi-page grid.[32] Huawei's design philosophy for EMUI centers on creating an intuitive, elegant experience that enables a "quality life" through visual harmony and efficient interactions, evolving from Apple-influenced minimalism to a distinct identity focused on readability and consistency.[33] In EMUI 10, released in August 2019, Huawei introduced the "magazine-style" UI paradigm, where app icons are prominently centered against blurred, low-saturation backgrounds resembling magazine covers to enhance focus, legibility, and a sense of depth without overwhelming the user.[34] [7] This shift incorporated a color strategy of high saturation for small elements (e.g., icons) and low saturation for larger blocks, paired with a predominant blue-and-white theme, to promote visual calm and reduce eye strain during prolonged use.[35] Subsequent versions refined this philosophy with gesture-based navigation for seamless one-handed operation, customizable always-on displays, and nature-inspired animations that mimic organic motion for smoother transitions, as developed by Huawei's in-house animation teams.[36] EMUI 11, launched in 2020, further emphasized user-centric tweaks like privacy indicators in the UI and modular control panels, while EMUI 12 in 2021 drew from HarmonyOS influences with dynamic effects and a more adaptive layout to support multi-device ecosystems.[3] Extensive theming capabilities, accessible via the Huawei Themes platform, allow deep customization of icons, fonts, and layouts, underscoring Huawei's commitment to personalization without compromising core usability principles.[37]Performance and Optimization Tools
EMUI incorporates dedicated tools for enhancing device performance and resource management, primarily via the pre-installed Phone Manager application, which consolidates functions for storage cleanup, battery monitoring, and app optimization. Phone Manager identifies power-intensive applications, removes cache files and unused data, and applies automated power-saving measures to unused apps, thereby freeing up system resources and extending battery life.[38][39] A core optimization feature is GPU Turbo, introduced in EMUI 8.0 on July 16, 2018, which leverages hardware-software co-optimization to boost graphics processing efficiency by up to 60% while reducing power consumption by 30% during gaming and intensive tasks. Subsequent iterations, such as GPU Turbo 3.0 in EMUI 9.1 released in June 2019, further cut SoC power usage by 10% through refined system-level adjustments, enabling smoother frame rates without hardware upgrades. In later versions like EMUI 12 from March 2022, this evolved into the DGraphicEngine, a specialized graphics processor that enhances mobile gaming by improving CPU-GPU coordination and minimizing latency.[40][41] Battery and performance modes allow users to prioritize either efficiency or raw speed; enabling Performance Mode via Settings > Battery unleashes full CPU capabilities for demanding workloads, though at the cost of accelerated drain, as implemented in EMUI 10 and later. The Optimizer tool, accessible within Phone Manager, scans for and disables automatic app launches in the background, preventing resource hogging and boosting overall responsiveness, with one-tap optimization routines that clear junk files and manage RAM aggressively to maintain fluidity. EMUI 9.1 and beyond integrate AI-driven command prediction to streamline operations, complemented by the EROFS file system for quicker read speeds and additional storage efficiency.[42][43][44] These tools emphasize Huawei's focus on balancing longevity with usability, though the aggressive battery optimization—such as restricted background processes—has been noted to occasionally limit app persistence unless manually exempted via Settings > Apps > Special Access > Battery Optimization.[45][46]Integration with Huawei Ecosystem
EMUI facilitates seamless connectivity across Huawei's hardware portfolio, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, wearables, and smart home devices, primarily through Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) Core, which provides alternatives to Google Mobile Services restricted by U.S. export controls since May 2019. This integration enables features like distributed data sharing and cross-device task continuity, leveraging HMS kits for cloud storage, account management, and analytics to ensure app compatibility and service access without reliance on Google Play Services.[47] For instance, EMUI devices support multi-device collaboration via HMS, allowing synchronized notifications, clipboard sharing, and file access between paired Huawei products.[4] Key connectivity tools include Huawei Share, introduced in earlier EMUI versions and enhanced in EMUI 10.1 (released March 2020), which uses Wi-Fi Direct for rapid, secure file transfers between compatible Huawei devices without internet dependency.[48] Multi-Screen Collaboration, debuting with EMUI 10.0 in October 2019, permits users to mirror and control their phone interface directly on a Huawei MateBook laptop or tablet, supporting drag-and-drop file operations and app windowing for productivity.[49] In EMUI 13 (rolled out starting October 2022), the Super Device framework expands this to include televisions like Huawei Vision and peripherals such as printers, dynamically pairing up to three devices for unified resource allocation, including shared audio output and input peripherals.[50] For desktop integration, EMUI pairs with Huawei HiSuite, a PC application updated as of 2025, enabling USB or wireless connections for backups, software updates, file transfers, and screen mirroring from EMUI devices to Windows or macOS systems.[51] HiSuite requires EMUI 4.1 or later and supports selective data synchronization, such as contacts and photos, while maintaining end-to-end encryption for transfers.[52] These features collectively form Huawei's "1+8+N" ecosystem strategy—centering the smartphone with eight core peripherals and numerous IoT devices—prioritizing low-latency interactions verified through Huawei's internal benchmarks showing transfer speeds up to 30 MB/s via Huawei Share.[48]Version History
Early Iterations (EMUI 1.0–5.0)
EMUI 1.0, initially branded as Emotion UI 1.0, was released on December 30, 2012, and based on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, marking Huawei's first custom mobile operating system skin. It introduced basic customizations to stock Android, including simplified user interface elements inspired by emotional design principles, such as streamlined icons and themes tailored for Huawei devices like the Ascend P1 (U9200). The version emphasized lightweight modifications without heavy bloatware, focusing on core functionality for early Huawei smartphones.[7] EMUI 2.0 followed, built on Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, and debuted pre-installed on Honor devices such as the Honor 3C around 2013–2014, extending custom UI tweaks to mid-range hardware. It refined the emotional UI aesthetic with improved theming options and gesture controls, while maintaining compatibility with Huawei's growing ecosystem of processors like early Kirin chips. This iteration prioritized stability over radical changes, addressing feedback from EMUI 1.0 users on app organization and notification handling.[2] On September 4, 2014, Huawei rebranded to EMUI 3.0, dropping "Emotion" and launching alongside the Huawei Mate 7 on Android 4.4 KitKat, featuring the Kirin 925 processor. Key enhancements included fingerprint sensor integration, improved power management, and a more polished home screen with dynamic grid layouts for better app accessibility. EMUI 3.0 also introduced early machine learning for touch response optimization, reducing latency in phablet form factors.[8] EMUI 4.0 arrived in late 2015, based on Android 6.0 Marshmallow, and shipped with the Huawei Mate 8 powered by the Kirin 950. It brought split-screen multitasking, enhanced privacy controls via app permissions, and professional camera modes including manual ISO and white balance adjustments. The update emphasized battery optimization through Doze mode adaptations and a redesigned interface mimicking iOS-like simplicity in navigation.[7] EMUI 5.0, released in November 2016 on Android 7.0 Nougat, debuted with the Huawei Mate 9 and Kirin 960 chipset, incorporating machine learning for predictive app loading and resource allocation. Notable features included a fast memory recycling mechanism with compression technology, adoption of the F2FS file system for 20% speed gains, and extended smooth performance over 18 months. It also added native Android Nougat elements like quick reply notifications alongside Huawei-specific tools such as Huawei Share for ecosystem connectivity.[2]| Version | Base Android | Release Date | Debut Device | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EMUI 1.0 | 4.0 | Dec 30, 2012 | Ascend P1 | Basic UI customizations, emotional design themes[7] |
| EMUI 2.0 | 4.3 | ~2013–2014 | Honor 3C | Improved theming, gesture controls[2] |
| EMUI 3.0 | 4.4 | Sep 4, 2014 | Mate 7 | Fingerprint support, dynamic grids, touch optimization[8] |
| EMUI 4.0 | 6.0 | Late 2015 | Mate 8 | Split-screen, manual camera, Doze adaptations[7] |
| EMUI 5.0 | 7.0 | Nov 2016 | Mate 9 | ML predictions, F2FS, memory compression[2] |
Mid-Generation Advancements (EMUI 6.0–10.0)
Huawei skipped EMUI versions 6.0 and 7.0 to align its numbering with Android's starting from version 8.0 Oreo, marking the mid-generation phase with EMUI 8.0 through 10.0 from late 2017 to 2019.[8] These releases emphasized artificial intelligence enhancements, refined user interfaces, and performance optimizations, building on earlier iterations to deliver smoother animations, smarter resource management, and ecosystem integration. EMUI 8.0, launched in late 2017 with the Mate 10 series and based on Android 8.0 Oreo, introduced AI-powered real-time scene and object recognition for camera improvements, alongside smart tips for contextual user assistance.[53] It featured enhanced gesture controls navigable via settings and began over-the-air rollouts to prior flagships like the Mate 9 series in December 2017.[54] Performance gains included better notification handling and picture-in-picture support from Oreo, with Huawei-specific tweaks for fluidity on Kirin processors.[55] EMUI 9.0, unveiled on September 1, 2018, at IFA Berlin and running Android 9.0 Pie, prioritized simplicity with redesigned navigation gestures, faster app switching, and adaptive battery features that limited background activity for extended usage.[16] Global rollout started November 10, 2018, initially for P20 and Mate 10 series devices, incorporating Pie's app actions and digital wellbeing tools alongside Huawei's optimizations for 20% quicker response times.[56][57] EMUI 10.0, previewed August 2019 with beta recruitment in September for P30 and Mate 20 series, leveraged Android 10 for a revamped interface featuring magazine-style home screens, enlarged icons in a 4x6 grid, and universal dark mode reducing eye strain.[58] Over EMUI 9.1, it introduced multi-screen collaboration (limited on older hardware like the Huawei Mate 10), enhanced camera modes for night and AI photography, Link Turbo for Wi-Fi+4G acceleration, and distributed file management, while building on EMUI 9.1's GPU Turbo 3.0 and Ark compiler to provide a feature-richer experience, though not all features were fully supported on older devices.[59][60][61] AI-driven centralised resource scheduling improved multi-tasking and battery efficiency, while privacy enhancements included granular app permissions and a private space for sensitive data; stable global updates rolled out from December 2019.[62][63] These iterations collectively advanced EMUI's focus on intelligent personalization and seamless hardware-software synergy.[64]

