Huawei reveals Android alternative, claiming it is 60 per cent faster

HongMeng OS comes after the Chinese firm was placed on a US trade blacklist, blocking it from using Google's OS

The CEO of Huawei has revealed the first details of the firm’s Android alternative, claiming it will run faster than Google‘s mobile operating system.

Ren Zhengfei said his firm's HongMeng OS would be up to 60 per cent faster than Android and would connect across multiple smart devices – ranging from cars to phones.

Speaking to French publication Le Point, Mr Zhengfei revealed the new operating system has a processing delay of just 5 milliseconds, meaning it is also faster than Apple's MacOS.

But the impressive speed does not make up for the severe lack of apps, with the Huawei CEO admitting that the HongMeng OS currently lacks an equivalent to the Google Play store.

This would mean users would potentially not have apps that have become integral to the Android experience, such as Google Maps, Chrome and Gmail.

Huawei's development of its own operating system comes after tensions between the US and China led to the world's second biggest smartphone maker being placed on the "entity list", banning it from doing business with US firms like Google.

Current owners of Huawei phones are still able to download app and software updates, though this could change when a temporary trading license expires on 19 August.

A spokesperson for Huawei previously told The Independent: "Huawei will continue to provide security updates and after sales services to all existing Huawei and Honor smartphone and tablet products covering those that have been sold or are still in stock globally."

When the ban was announced in May, Mr Zhengfei said the Chinese firm had been preparing for this by building its own software.

State media outlet Global Times also reported that other Chinese manufacturers like Oppo and Vivo had tested Huawei's new system.

Mr Zhengfei gave no indication of when the new operating system might be launched, though if trade issues continue then Huawei will likely push it through with the release of its next phone.