Honor’s Bold Move Into AI and Beyond: A New Era for the Former Huawei Subsbrand
1. From Huawei’s Shadow to Independence: Honor’s Journey
Honor, once known as the younger sibling of the Chinese tech giant Huawei, has emerged from its former parent’s shadow to carve out its own identity in the tech world. Since separating from Huawei, Honor has not only solidified its position as a leading smartphone manufacturer but has also taken bold steps to expand its influence beyond the Android smartphone market. At the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025 in Barcelona, Honor made a monumental announcement that showcased its ambition to become a major player in the AI-driven future of technology. This move signals a significant shift in Honor’s strategy, positioning it not just as a competitor to other Android phone makers but as a contender in the broader AI device market.
2. Honor’s $10 Billion Investment in AI: A New Frontier
In a surprise move at MWC 2025, Honor announced a staggering $10 billion investment in AI products and devices. This investment is a clear indication of the company’s commitment to leveraging artificial intelligence to revolutionize the way users interact with their devices. While Honor did not unveil a new smartphone at the event—its flagship Magic 7 Pro was already launched in January—the company made it clear that this investment is a strategic step toward creating innovative AI-driven solutions. The first project under this initiative is the development of an intelligent phone that aims to revolutionize human-to-device interaction. This ambitious endeavor is being undertaken in collaboration with Google and Qualcomm, two industry giants in AI and semiconductor technology.
3. Collaboration with Google and Qualcomm: Unlocking AI Potential
The partnership with Google and Qualcomm is a pivotal aspect of Honor’s AI strategy. Matt Waldbusser, Managing Director of Consumer AI at Google Cloud, emphasized the collaboration, stating that Google is working closely with Honor to deeply integrate its Gemini AI models into Honor’s solutions. This integration promises to create new possibilities for users worldwide while prioritizing data security and user privacy. The collaboration is expected to enable Honor’s devices to offer more intelligent, intuitive, and personalized experiences, setting a new benchmark for AI-driven smartphones and devices.
4. The Vision of Agentic AI: Redefining User Interaction
Honor’s vision for the future of AI is centered around the concept of "agentic AI," where users interact less with app-based interfaces and more with intelligent agents that act on their behalf. These AI agents will have the ability to access and coordinate across various apps on a device to complete tasks, effectively streamlining user interaction. This concept, which was first showcased at MWC the previous year, has gained significant traction and is expected to radically reshape how people engage with their devices. During the Barcelona keynote, Honor demonstrated the latest version of its AI agent, hinting at its imminent integration into Honor devices in the near future.
5. The "Alpha Plan": Honor’s Strategic Roadmap
Honor’s foray into AI is part of its broader strategic plan, dubbed the "Alpha Plan," under the leadership of its newly appointed CEO, James Li. The Alpha Plan aims to create AI devices and services that operate seamlessly across different operating systems, transcending the boundaries of Android and iOS. The first step in this plan is the introduction of a universal file-sharing system that will enable ultrafast transfers between iOS and Android devices. Additionally, Honor has announced that it will extend the software support for its existing smartphones, offering up to seven years of Android OS and security updates. Furthermore, AI-driven features such as image upscaling to restore old photos and deepfake detection will be rolled out to the Magic 7 Pro, showcasing Honor’s commitment to enhancing user experience through AI.
6. New Devices and the Road Ahead
Alongside its AI announcements, Honor also unveiled a range of new devices at MWC 2025. These include the Honor Earbuds Open, priced at 149 euros, the Honor Watch 5 Ultra at 279 euros, and the Honor Pad V9 for 250 euros. Additionally, the company announced the upcoming release of the Honor MagicBook Pro14 laptop. These launches demonstrate Honor’s continued focus on expanding its product portfolio and strengthening its position in the competitive tech market. As Honor continues to innovate and invest in AI, the company is positioning itself as a leader in the next generation of intelligent devices, Signaling a bright future for the brand.
