Does Huawei not use android or Google play services?

It's Android but without Google's services, there's an alternative app store.

The irony of Chinese vendors providing a breath of fresh low-DRM air.

Partially true, HarmonyOS NEXT is its own thing, with a Typescript based language ArkTS.

https://developer.huawei.com/consumer/en/arkts/

And now they are adding yet another one, AOT compiled, Cangjie

https://cangjie-lang.cn/en

Using Android fork has been a transition step.

Neat, thanks for this correction! Interesting, an entire new programming language.

And a microkernel based OS with capabilities.

Another example that microkernels actually do have market share.

Low DRM? I looked at Huawei devices because I figured they'd have to sell them here super cheap because of this downside most Europeans people will even see as a showstopper ("how will I install my precious WhatsApp??"), but

- they're among the most expensive (I could afford that if needed though)

- they don't allow hardware unlock (ehh.. what's the point, then, if I get a locked-down device with Chinese surprises!)

OK yeah I didn't know they stopped allowing to root. Normal levels of DRM then, my mistake, you're right.

It seems like China is becoming the "freedom superpower" while USA is getting "corporate superpower" vibes. Huh

I'm curious why you think China is actually more open in this regard. The CCP has direct influence over the apps that are allowed to be installed on these phones. There is nothing more free about them.

No, Google is barred from providing any services to them by the US government.

not like that no, some US carriers don't allow them though like AT&T blocks you to google or apple phones. for them only pixel supports a way out with graphene.

No, they use AppGallery and HMS.

If you're building the APK, you're probably installing via ADB, in which case none of the changes apply