HONOR Unveils 'Alpha Plan': A Bold Strategy for AI-Driven Device Ecosystem

HONOR Unveils Future AI Device Roadmap at Mobile World Congress

HONOR announced the HONOR ALPHA PLAN, a new corporate strategy to transform HONOR from a smartphone maker to a global leading AI device ecosystem company. The visionary three-step plan details the bold steps HONOR will take to usher in the new intelligent world, and calls on the industry to co-create an open, value-sharing ecosystem that maximizes human potential, ultimately benefiting all mankind. "It is clear that the AI revolution will reshape the paradigm of the device industry - completely transforming our productivity, our society, and even our culture more than ever before," said James Li, CEO of HONOR. "I am calling on all of us to unite together to address the challenges - as well as the many opportunities - of AI technology. I also call on the industry to be truly open so that we can fully embrace this exciting AI future. Let's do it together."

HONOR unveils three-step ALPHA PLAN for global AI ecosystems

HONOR today introduced the HONOR ALPHA PLAN at MWC 2025, outlining a bold three-step strategy to evolve from a smartphone brand into a global leader in AI-driven device ecosystems. The company emphasized the need for an open, value-sharing industry approach that enhances human potential and benefits all. "AI is reshaping industries, societies, and cultures like never before," said HONOR CEO James Li. "We must unite to tackle AI's challenges and opportunities while embracing an open AI future. Let's do it together." HONOR explained that "Alpha," the first Greek letter (α), represents its pursuit of technological excellence. The lowercase "α" also embeds the Chinese character for "human" (人), symbolizing human-centric innovation. This East-meets-West design reflects HONOR's global vision, the company noted. HONOR showcased the world's first GUI-based personal AI agent, developed with Google Cloud and Qualcomm Technologies. This AI assistant can book restaurant reservations by factoring in calendar schedules and traffic updates. The company plans to roll out agentic AI experiences globally in the near future. HONOR's AiMAGE technology enhances mobile photography with its AI Kernel, supporting dual AI models: The AI Upscale feature, which restores old portraits, will launch on the HONOR Magic7 series -- powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform -- starting in March 2025. HONOR unveiled a universal file-sharing technology, enabling ultra-fast transfers across iOS and Android devices, whether to one or multiple users. The company also announced AI Deepfake detection for its latest flagship Magic7 Pro and Magic V3, coming soon to international markets. HONOR urged industry players to open AI capabilities for broader collaboration, pledging over $10 billion in the next five years to build a value-sharing ecosystem. Li stated, "In the physical AI era, we need to break industry boundaries and co-create a new AI paradigm." At MWC 2025, representatives from Google Cloud, Qualcomm, CKH Group, Orange, Telefónica, and Vodafone joined Li in a tree-lighting ceremony, symbolizing a united effort to grow the AI ecosystem. "We're shaping a future where AI enhances daily life. Collaboration is key," said Alex Katouzian, General Manager of Mobile, Compute & XR at Qualcomm Technologies. Matt Waldbusser, Managing Director of Global Solutions and Consumer AI at Google Cloud, added, "We're integrating Google's Gemini AI models into HONOR's solutions, creating new possibilities while prioritizing data security and user privacy." HONOR accelerated its sustainability commitments:

From AI to AGI -- how Honor's Alpha Plan is making a big bet on the agentic future

AI is everywhere at MWC 2025, as it has been in the tech space as a whole for the past two years. But Honor's new embrace of this technology with its Alpha Plan is another level of preparation for future developments and upcoming devices. For one, Honor is now no longer a smartphone-focused company but an "AI device ecosystem company," a change of direction driven by the company's new CEO, James Li, who was clear about how he sees AI as a force on device development as dramatic as the introduction of the internet. Smartphones are still going to be important for the company, Li explained, but the focus will now be on building an "intelligent phone" with help from Qualcomm and Google. this will utilize new hardware to offer AI features with multimodal, personalized and autonomous abilities. This is then intended to lead to an intelligent ecosystem, with AI added to more devices, like AR/VR devices, automobiles and other vehicles, and robots. All of this will then apparently culminate in an intelligent world that will unite "carbon-based life with silicon-based intelligence." Lofty goals indeed. To demonstrate what it's capable of today with AI, Honor demoed its currently China-only mobile AI agent, made with Google and Qualcomm's help. In the pre-recorded demo, the user made a request for a local restaurant booking within half an hour's travel. The AI could do this while also checking existing appointments in Honor Calendar, traffic conditions and the user's typical eating habits to figure out which restaurant to pick and when to book. This will apparently be offered on devices outside China in future, but no timeline has been announced. The Alpha Plan also features AiMAGE (pronounced "aim-age"), a new name for Honor's photography tech. This uses both on-device and cloud AI models to help sharpen images based on its training data, especially zoomed-in portrait or telephoto shots. The tech can be applied to existing photos with an AI Upscale tool as well, which will come to the Honor Magic7 series in March. Honor also boasted about its all-ecosystem file sharing tool, letting you send files to Android and iOS devices equally as easily. A 1GB video can apparently be sent to many other phone brands, including iPhones, in just a matter of seconds. With a PC/Mac version on the way too, this could be another step towards bridging the divide between different brands of phone users. But we'll have to see when it goes live. AI Deepfake detection is something Honor's shown off before, but that doesn't make it any less useful. The ability for a device to flag suspicious video could prove invaluable for neutralizing scammers, so we look forward to trying it out away from the Honor demo area when it comes to flagship Honor phones "soon." Cooperation with industry partners is a big part of the Alpha Plan, but Honor wants that to increase as AI continues to develop. James Li openly called for other companies to collaborate, and promised that Honor will invest over $10 billion over five years to create an "open, co-created, value-sharing AI device ecosystem" with its partners. A number of other companies joined Honor's James Li on stage to light a tree, which is a peculiar bit of theatre even for a keynote presentation. The meaning is simple to grasp though: collaboration between the hardware partners at the roots of the tree, and the applications at the tips of the branches will result in the delicious fruit of an AI-powered ecosystem. As well as its Alpha Plan, Honor announced it will now provide its flagship phones with seven years of Android updates like Samsung and Google. There were also some new devices, like the Honor Watch 5 Ultra, Honor MagicBook Pro 14, Honor Pad V9, and Honor Earbuds Open.

Honor Unveils Its 'Alpha Plan' at MWC 2025, Including $10 Billion AI Investment

I'm a Mobile Analyst at PCMag, which means I cover wireless phones, plans, tablets, ereaders, and a whole lot more. I've always loved technology and have been forming opinions on consumer electronics since childhood. Prior to joining PCMag, I covered TVs and home entertainment at CNET, served as the tech and electronics reviews fellow at Insider, and began my career by writing laptop reviews as an intern at Tom's Hardware. I am also a professional actor with credits in theater, film, and television. Honor has big plans for AI. At Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, the company announced a new investment to create a seamless AI ecosystem across devices. Honor has pledged to invest $10 billion over the next five years to help facilitate the development of what the company calls an "intelligent phone" that promises to transform human-to-device relationships. The company didn't say what this new phone might look like or how its technology will differ from what is currently on the market. Honor also plans to revolutionize and integrate AI into other types of hardware, including computers, tablets, and wearable devices. Further, Honor hopes to lead the charge in integrating AI technology throughout the market, regardless of the brand. "I am calling on all of us to unite together to address the myriad of challenges and opportunities of AI technology," said Honor CEO James Li during his MWC keynote address. "This includes the industry becoming truly open, enabling seamless collaboration across different operating systems, and building a value-sharing AI device ecosystem." To emphasize the importance of cross-company collaboration, Li was joined onstage by representatives from Google Cloud, Qualcomm, Vodafone, and others in a show of industry solidarity. Future Honor phones will have access to an AI Agent, while the Honor Magic7 series phones will receive access to the photo enhancement AI Upscale feature beginning in March. AI features in other Honor product announcements at Mobile World Congress. The company calls its latest PC, the MagicBook Pro 14, an AI PC, while the Honor Pad V9 tablet brings AI Notes, AI Docs, and Circle To Search into the operating system. Honor's new Earbuds Open earphones come with AI-powered translation and real-time interpretation. The company's latest smartwatch, the Watch 5 Ultra, doesn't tout AI features but does offer up to 15 days of battery life.

Honor's Alpha Plan to Focus on Developing an AI Ecosystem for the AGI Era

The company is also introducing AiMage, a new imaging technology Honor introduced its previously teased Alpha Plan on Sunday, sharing a three-step vision to create an open artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem. Ahead of the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025 in Barcelona, the Chinese brand made several AI-focused announcements, including AI agents, a new AI-powered imaging technology for devices, and a new AI PC. The company also talked about its plans to build an ecosystem to introduce new innovation in AI, such as physical AI (robotics) and artificial general intelligence (AGI). In a newsroom post, the consumer tech brand detailed its Alpha Plan. Put simply, the Alpha Plan is Honor's corporate strategy to become a leader in the AI device ecosystem space. For this, the company is trying to work with the industry partners such as Qualcomm and Google Cloud. At its event, the Chinese brand also invited representatives from CKH Group, Orange, Telefónica and Vodafone. "It is clear that the AI revolution will reshape the paradigm of the device industry - completely transforming our productivity, our society, and even our culture more than ever before. I am calling on all of us to unite together to address the challenges - as well as the many opportunities - of AI technology. I also call on the industry to be truly open so that we can fully embrace this exciting AI future," said James Li, CEO of Honor. The company explained that its Alpha Plan comprises three steps. The first step includes the development of an "intelligent phone" that supports AI agents. Honor said it will co-create agentic AI capabilities with partners. The second step includes the physical AI era, which also refers to robotics. The Chinese brand highlighted that the industry will need to work together to create an open AI ecosystem. The final step includes the AGI era, where it claimed that the technology will expand the boundaries of human potential. While much of the corporate vision was focused on future developments and Honor's positioning in the ongoing AI wave, the company also demonstrated a couple of new AI technologies. In collaboration with Google Cloud and Qualcomm, Honor showcased a graphical user interface (GUI)-based mobile AI agent that can reserve a table at a restaurant by using third-party services. In the demonstration, the agent was also able to add the reservation information in Honor's calendar app. The company said it can also alert users to leave at a particular time, considering current traffic conditions. The agentic experiences will be added to its devices in international markets in the near future. The company also introduced AiMage, its new brand for in-house imaging technology. AiMage is powered by AI Kernel which offers support for hybrid device-cloud AI models. Honor will add a 1.3 billion parameter AI model on-device that can improve image clarity by 50 percent. The server-based AI model comes with 12.4 billion parameters and focuses on enhancing the quality of telephoto images. Honor's AiMage will also power a new tool dubbed AI Upscale that can restore old portraits. The feature will first be rolled out to the Honor Magic 7 Series 1, starting March. It also plans to launch an AI Deepfake detection tool in the international markets via its smartphones. Ahead of the MWC 2025, Honor also introduced the MagicBook Pro 14, a new AI PC to select global markets. Highlighting its commitment to the ecosystem-based approach, the company announced that the Honor Magic series devices will receive seven years of Android OS and security updates. This will first be implemented in the European Union market. Additionally, the company said it will achieve operational carbon neutrality by 2024, and plans to reach carbon neutrality across its entire supply chain and products by 2050.

MWC 2025: Honor Teases Agentic AI Phone That Will 'Revolutionize' Our Devices

Katie a UK-based news reporter and features writer. Officially, she is CNET's European correspondent, covering tech policy and Big Tech in the EU and UK. Unofficially, she serves as CNET's Taylor Swift correspondent. You can also find her writing about tech for good, ethics and human rights, the climate crisis, robots, travel and digital culture. She was once described a "living synth" by London's Evening Standard for having a microchip injected into her hand. Honor used to be best known as the younger sibling to its former parent brand Huawei, but since parting ways with the Chinese tech giant, the phone-maker has gone from strength to strength in forging its own identity. At MWC 2025, the company made its boldest move yet to plant a stake in the ground -- not just as a rival to the top Android phone makers but to all companies making AI devices. Honor didn't unveil a new phone at the Barcelona mobile show -- it debuted its new flagship, the Honor Magic 7 Pro, in January. Instead, it announced a $10 billion investment in a range of AI products and devices. That doesn't mean it's abandoning phones, though. Its first project will be developing an intelligent phone that will "revolutionize human-to-device interaction" in collaboration with Google and chipmaker Qualcomm. "We are working closely to deeply integrate Google's Gemini AI models into Honor solutions and create new possibilities for users around the world that were never before possible while protecting their data security and user privacy," said Matt Waldbusser, managing director of consumer AI at Google Cloud. Read more: MWC 2025: All the Phones, Wearables, Robots and AI Live From Barcelona What Honor is hinting at is a shift to agentic AI, where we rely less on an app-based interface. Instead, once given a task or command, our mobile AI agent will reach into the apps on our phone to coordinate on our behalf. It's a vision I first saw last year at Mobile World Congress, and has since gained traction, promising to radically reshape how we interact with our devices. During the company's Barcelona keynote, it demoed the latest version of its AI agent and said it would be bringing it to devices in the near future. For Honor, this is all part of its "Alpha Plan," a fresh strategy from newly appointed CEO James Li that will see the company attempt to create AI devices and services to operate across different operating systems. The first step in this is a universal file-sharing system that Honor says will introduce ultrafast transfers between iOS and Android. Existing Honor phones will also benefit, with the company upgrading from five to seven years of Android OS and security updates, plus AI image upscaling to restore old pictures and AI deepfake detection rolling out to the Magic 7 Pro. Read more: There's AI, and Then There's AGI: How To Tell the Difference Among its MWC announcements, Honor also had new devices to unveil. The include the Honor Earbuds Open for 149 euros (roughly converts to $155, £125 or AU$255), the Honor Watch 5 Ultra for 279 euros and the Honor Pad V9 for 250 euros. A laptop, the Honor MagicBook Pro14 is also coming soon, the company said.

Honor Teases Agentic AI Phone That Will 'Revolutionize' How We Use Our Devices

Katie a UK-based news reporter and features writer. Officially, she is CNET's European correspondent, covering tech policy and Big Tech in the EU and UK. Unofficially, she serves as CNET's Taylor Swift correspondent. You can also find her writing about tech for good, ethics and human rights, the climate crisis, robots, travel and digital culture. She was once described a "living synth" by London's Evening Standard for having a microchip injected into her hand. Honor used to be best known as the younger sibling to its former parent brand Huawei, but since parting ways with the Chinese tech giant, the phone-maker has gone from strength to strength in forging its own identity. At MWC 2025, the company made its boldest move yet to plant a stake in the ground -- not just as rival to the top Android phone makers, but to all companies making AI devices. Honor didn't unveil a new phone at the Barcelona mobile show -- it debuted its new flagship, the Honor Magic 7 Pro, in January. Instead it announced a $10 billion investment in a range of AI products and devices. That doesn't mean it's abandoning phones, though. Its first project will be the development of an intelligent phone that will "revolutionize human-to-device interaction" in collaboration with Google and chipmaker Qualcomm. "We are working closely to deeply integrate Google's Gemini AI models into Honor solutions, and create new possibilities for users around the world that were never before possible, while protecting their data security and user privacy," said Matt Waldbusser, managing director of consumer AI at Google Cloud. What Honor is hinting at is a shift to agentic AI, where we rely less on an app-based interface. Instead, once given a task or command, our mobile AI agent will reach into the apps on our phone to coordinate on our behalf. It's a vision I first saw last year at Mobile World Congress, and has since gained traction, promising to radically reshape how we interact with our devices. During the company's Barcelona keynote, it demoed the latest version of its AI agent and said it would be bringing it to devices in the near future. For Honor, this is all part of its "Alpha Plan," a fresh strategy from newly appointed CEO James Li that will see the company attempt to create AI devices and services to operate across different operating systems. The first step in this is a universal file-sharing system that Honor says will introduce ultrafast transfers between iOS and Android. Existing Honor phones will also benefit, with the company upgrading from five to seven years of Android OS and security updates, plus AI image upscaling to restore old pictures and AI deepfake detection rolling out to the Magic 7 Pro. Among its MWC announcements, Honor also had new devices to unveil. The include the Honor Earbuds Open for 149 euros (roughly converts to $155, £125 or AU$255), the Honor Watch 5 Ultra for 279 euros and the Honor Pad V9 for 250 euros. A laptop, the Honor MagicBook Pro14 is also coming soon, the company said.

MWC 2025: Honor Reveals "Alpha Plan" With AI Agents, New MagicBook, Earbuds Open, and More

Honor also expanded its portfolio of devices that includes the new MagicBook Pro 14, Honor Pad V9, Earbuds Open, and Watch 5 Ultra. The 2025 edition of MWC has had surprisingly fewer AI unveils compared to CES. However, no matter where you go, there's always a scant chance that you may hear the word AI. Chinese smartphone maker Honor has announced at MWC 2025 that it's working on revolutionizing AI across all phones with its Alpha Plan and also released the new set of MagicBook Pro, Honor Pad, Watch, and Earbuds Open devices. The Alpha Plan involves developing an open AI ecosystem, for which the firm will collaborate with Google and Qualcomm. The aim is to revolutionize Human-to-device interaction and for this, Honor will invest a whopping $10 billion into it for the next five years. Commenting on the partnership, Google's managing director of consumer AI said: We are working closely to deeply integrate Google's Gemini AI models into Honor solutions, and create new possibilities for users around the world that were never before possible, while protecting their data security and user privacy. Honor has planned three stages for the plan -- an Agentic AI to develop intelligent devices, Physical AI to build seamless ecosystems, and AGI. The firm also unveiled Honor AI, the world's first "GUI-based mobile agent" and demonstrated an AI that can book seats for you in a restaurant depending on your schedule and traffic. Honor first showcased its agentic AI at IFA24, but it was China-only at first. Honor says these developments are a part of the firm's Alpha Plan which aims to "co-create an intelligent ecosystem" with devices bridging the gap between AI and humans. With "AI as the new UI," Honor will seemingly aim at developing AI agents that can get regular smartphone chores done intelligently without the user having to lift a finger. The firm calls 2025 as the "Year of AI agents." Honor did not announce new smartphones in the MWC but did launch a MagicBook Pro 14 with a whopping 92Wh battery and 3.1K 14.6-inch OLED display with 700 nits peak brightness. The laptop features Intel's Core Ultra 5 225H or Core Ultra 9 285H processors, comes in 16, 24, or 32 GB RAM variants, and 1TB SSD. The MagicBook Pro 14 starts at $800. The brand showcased the Honor Pad v9 tablet, which is already out in China. It comes with a 2.8K 144Hz display, Dimensity 8350 Elite SoC, 10,100 mAh Si-Carbon battery with 66W charging, and MagicOS 9.0 based on Android 15. The tablet is on sale currently in the UK and Europe and costs $460. Joining the cast is the Honor Watch 5 Ultra with a 1.5-inch LTPO AMOLED display, Titanium Casing, and a 480 mAh battery that's rated to last for up to 15 days. The Watch 5 Ultra runs Honor's MagicOS 7.2 and comes with 8 GB of RAM. Besides, it features various health tracking features like Sleep Tracking, Heart Rate, and SpO2. Honor has priced the Watch 5 Ultra at $289, and it will go on sale in the EU. The Honor Earbuds Open are the firm's first open-style earbuds. They come with 16mm dynamic drivers with multi-point connectivity, a 3-mic system, and Active Noise Cancellation, which is a first for an open set of earbuds. Honor says the buds have built-in AI features like AI translation. The battery on the buds is a 58 mAh unit with the charging case having 480 mAh in total. The firm claims they can last for 6 hours on a single charge and 22 hours total with the case. The Honor Earbuds Open come in two colors -- Polar Gold and Polar Black, and cost $150. They are already on sale in the UK and Europe. The firm also announced its "All-ecosystem Exchange Technology," which, as the name suggests, can quickly transfer files to any phone regardless of the manufacturer. The company also announced that it will offer 7 years of software updates and security patches to its Magic 7 Pro series, and this will extend to future phones in the future. Most of the devices mentioned above are available for purchase from Honor's official Store. What are your thoughts on Honor's Alpha Plan and the firm investing heavily in AI? Let us know in the comments below.

HONOR Unveils New Corporate Strategy to Transition to an AI Device Ecosystem Company

Enter your email to get Benzinga's ultimate morning update: The PreMarket Activity Newsletter Illuminating a three-step roadmap underpinned by openness and collaboration BARCELONA, Spain, March 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Global technology brand HONOR today announced the HONOR ALPHA PLAN, a new corporate strategy to transform HONOR from a smartphone maker to a global leading AI device ecosystem company. The visionary three-step plan details the bold steps HONOR will take to usher in the new intelligent world, and calls on the industry to co-create an open, value-sharing ecosystem that maximizes human potential, ultimately benefiting all mankind. "It is clear that the AI revolution will reshape the paradigm of the device industry - completely transforming our productivity, our society, and even our culture more than ever before," said James Li, CEO of HONOR. "I am calling on all of us to unite together to address the challenges - as well as the many opportunities - of AI technology. I also call on the industry to be truly open so that we can fully embrace this exciting AI future. Let's do it together." The designation HONOR ALPHA PLAN is chosen for its unique symbolic meaning. Alpha, as the first letter in the Greek alphabet, symbolizes HONOR's relentless pursuit of technological excellence. Additionally, the Chinese word for humans (人) can be found where the stroke connects in the lowercase letter "α," echoing HONOR's commitment to human-centric innovation. The East-meets-West symbolism perfectly encapsulates HONOR's global vision and ambition to create value for consumers worldwide. THE HONOR ALPHA PLAN comprises three steps: The first step begins with the development of an intelligent phone. HONOR will work with partners to open technology boundaries to co-create a new paradigm for AI devices in the agentic AI era. Next, HONOR will open industry boundaries and co-create a new paradigm for AI ecosystem in the physical AI era. Finally, in the AGI era, HONOR will open human potential boundaries and co-create a new paradigm for civilization. The envisioned intelligent phone that is central to the first step will embed human-centric AI that is purpose-built to maximize human potential, including the leading AI technology HONOR showcased during the keynote address. MWC Booth Details Between March 3-6, visitors of MWC Barcelona 2025 may visit the HONOR booth located at Stand 3H10 in Hall 3, Fira Gran Via, to check out the latest innovations from HONOR and its partners. For more information， please visit: www.honor.com/global/events/honor-mwc/ View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/honor-unveils-new-corporate-strategy-to-transition-to-an-ai-device-ecosystem-company-302389712.html SOURCE HONOR Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs

Honor to develop a 'super intelligent' AI smartphone with the help of Google and Qualcomm

Honor has overhauled its smartphone strategy to become an "AI device ecosystem company," and is working on a new type of an intelligent smartphone that will feature "purpose-built, human-centric AI designed to maximize human potential." The company's new CEO, James Li, announced the move - dubbed the Honor Alpha Plan - at MWC 2025, calling on the smartphone industry to "co-create an open, value-sharing AI ecosystem that maximizes human potential, ultimately benefiting all mankind." Talk about ambition. This Alpha plan consists of three steps, each catering to a different 'era' of AI: namely the Agentic AI era, the Physical AI era, and the AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) era. The first, Honor says, concerns the development of a "super intelligent" smartphone, which the company will create in collaboration with various partners including Qualcomm and Google. Honor teased various new software tools as part of its presentation - including AiMAGE and an cross-OS file-sharing technology (yes, that means compatibility between iOS and Android devices) - that will, presumably, be features of its upcoming devices. For the so-called Physical AI era, Honor hopes "the industry" can work together to create an AI ecosystem and get the very best out of this potentially paradigm-shifting technology. "I call on the industry to be truly open so that we can fully embrace this exciting AI future. Let's do it together," Li said on stage at MWC. Sure, that's more than a little vague (does 'the industry' mean rival smartphone manufacturers?) but Honor is supposedly investing more than $10 billion into this cross-collaboration idea, so the company is certainly committed to the cause. Finally, the AGI era will welcome "the co-existence between carbon-based life and silicon-based intelligence," according to Li. AGI refers to Artificial General Intelligence, an as-yet-unrealized type of AI that matches human cognitive abilities. AGI follows ANI (Artificial Narrow Intelligence), which refers to AI designed to perform specific tasks, and precedes ASI (Artificial Super Intelligence), which refers to AI that's, ahem, smarter than humans (think Skynet and HAL 9000 - those famously non-threatening systems). Jokes aside, Honor's cross-collaboration ambitions are well-founded. The last few years has seen smartphone manufacturers and software companies large and small develop genuinely experience-enhancing AI tools (consider Samsung's Live Translate tool and Honor's own Deepfake Detection feature), but they're scattered across the industry and between devices. Pigs might fly before Apple and Samsung talk to one another, but Honor's call to action will no doubt attract the attention of smaller companies with the expertise to accelerate the AI revolution.

Here's how Honor is taking on Samsung and Apple with its huge AI Alpha Plan

Mobile World Congress Read our complete coverage of Mobile World Congress Updated less than 5 minutes ago Table of Contents Table of Contents What does the Honor Alpha Plan mean for you? Honor is aiming for the big leagues Honor has been pushing the boundaries of foldable phone hardware with the Magic V2 and Magic V3 in recent years. Its flagship Magic 7 Pro also outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra in a few ways. But hardware isn't the whole story when you're in the market for a new phone. Software plays a big part in buying decisions, and Honor finally seems to be working in that direction. At MWC 2025, the company announced a $10 billion Alpha Plan aimed at propelling it into the big leagues alongside Apple and Samsung. What does the Honor Alpha Plan mean for you? Honor wants to transition from a smartphone company to an "AI device ecosystem company." This means you can expect more Honor products -- such as wearables, tablets, and laptops -- to launch globally, with better cross-device integration than ever. The company has announced deeper collaborations with Google Cloud and Qualcomm to help "revolutionize human-to-device interaction" with AI. Honor will invest $10 billion over the next five years in the Alpha Plan. Recommended Videos For now, Honor has revealed only a couple of AI features focused on its promised human-to-device interaction. One demo showcased Honor's AI agent making a table reservation through a third-party service while considering traffic conditions and appointments saved in Honor Calendar. There's no specific rollout date yet, but it is expected to arrive in international markets "in the near future." Please enable Javascript to view this content The Alpha Plan also includes a new imaging technology brand called AIMage, featuring an AI Upscale tool that can restore old portraits. It will launch this month for the Honor Magic 7 Pro and Magic 7 RSR. There's a new "all-ecosystem file-sharing technology," which can help you transfer data from Android to iOS and vice versa. Like Oppo's O+ Connect for data transfer between iOS and Android, you'll need to install the Honor Connect app on your iPhone to use this feature. Honor's AI deepfake detection will also "soon arrive" on its latest flagship bar phones and foldable devices. Honor is aiming for the big leagues A focus on cross-device integration, along with seven years of Android OS upgrades, makes Honor's approach sound a lot like Samsung's and Apple's, both of which already have well-established ecosystems. From my experience, Honor's current cross-device integration isn't bad, but its design needs an overhaul to feel more modern. The collaborations with Google Cloud and Qualcomm are promising -- Honor's hardware has been top-notch for years, but its software has lagged behind. The Alpha Plan collaborations could help bridge that gap for the better.

There's a new AI contender in mobile - and it's taking on Samsung in every way imaginable

At the Mobile World Congress 2025, Honor announced a series of new hardware, but that was arguably the least important thing. Instead, the focus on software, especially AI applications that may just strike a chord with users, stole the show. Also: What to expect at MWC 2025: Best phones I'm anticipating from Xiaomi, Honor, Samsung, more At the event, Honor announced what it calls "Alpha Plan," an initiative to transition the smartphone brand into an AI device ecosystem company. This is accompanied by an extended software support promise, matching that of Samsung and Google, and three new IoT launches. Here's the full rundown of the Sunday newsbreak. With Alpha Plan, Honor says it'll invest $10 billion over the next five years for a "renewed focus on open collaboration." The company says it'll work closely with Google and Qualcomm to co-create an "intelligent ecosystem," a series of devices that can seamlessly communicate and interact with each other -- like what Apple has arguably achieved, but better. This collaboration will also help Honor deliver seven years of Android OS and security updates to its flagship smartphones, joining the likes of Samsung and Google in terms of software longevity. Also: This 5-year tech industry forecast predicts some surprising winners - and losers The Honor Magic 7 Pro and Magic 7 RSR will be the first two devices to be included in the new update standard. Unfortunately, Honor won't offer these many updates to its latest foldable, the Magic V3, but the company has assured that upcoming Magic series phones will receive the seven years of Android OS updates. Honor also announced a new AIMAGE imaging brand, which includes a new feature for restoring old portraits. It'll roll out for the Magic 7 Pro later this month. AIMAGE is powered by the AI Kernel and is said to support a 1.3 billion parameter model to "generate a 50% uplift in image clarity." The company will soon release its AI Deepfake detection feature to its flagship smartphones. We'll surely want to test the accuracy and reliability of it, but it's a practical tool nonetheless during a time of digital confusion. Like Oppo's O+ Connect, Honor has also announced a new way to transfer data between Android and Apple-owned platforms. For example, a new iOS app called Honor Connect will allow users to transfer data (files, images, and videos) between Honor devices and an iPhone seamlessly. Honor is expanding its product lineup in Europe with three new devices. Leading the charge are the Honor Earbuds Open, a pair of open-ear wireless earbuds designed with a built-in ear hook -- similar in style to the recent Beats Powerbeats Pro. Weighing 7.9 grams per earbud, they offer a secure fit while integrating AI-powered features such as Live Translation and an AI agent. The earbuds also include a three-microphone hybrid active noise cancellation system that should help minimize wind noise and enhance voice clarity. Battery life is rated at up to six hours on a single charge, with the case extending it to 22 hours. The Honor Earbuds Open are priced at 149 euros. Also: Everything you need to know about Alexa+, Amazon's new generative AI assistant The company is also launching the Watch 5 Ultra, a premium smartwatch with a 1.5-inch AMOLED display that supports an always-on mode. Its design resembles the OnePlus Watch 3, and it weighs 51.8 grams. The watch is built with a titanium alloy case and a ceramic-like back cover, available in Black with a fluoroelastomer strap and Brown with a leather strap. With an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance and 5ATM water submersion support, the Watch 5 Ultra is built for durability. It runs Honor's custom software instead of Wear OS and is powered by a 480mAh battery, delivering up to 15 days of battery life. The smartwatch is priced at 279 euros. Last but not least, Honor has also announced a new tablet called the Pad V9. It sports an 11.5-inch LCD with support for a 144Hz refresh rate and a sharp 1,840 x 2,800-pixel resolution. It is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Elite chipset, paired with up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Also: This $500 Android tablet beat my iPad Pro in almost every way - and it's not a Samsung The Honor Pad V9 packs a 10,100mAh battery, which can be expected to last you a couple of days. At 475 grams, the Pad V9 should be comfortable to use. On the front, you get an 8MP camera for video calls, and a 13MP rear camera takes care of the scanning needs. It is priced at 250 euros. Unlike previous years, Honor hasn't announced a new smartphone at MWC. Instead, it's focusing on AI and delivering a better software experience. Seven years of software support is promising, and it's safe to say the Google Cloud and Qualcomm collaborations are only just getting started.

This Brand Is Showing Samsung and Apple How AI Should Be Done

Quick Links Honor's AI Alpha Plan Explained Why Honor's AI Alpha Plan Should Have Apple, Google, and Samsung Worried Everything Else Honor Announced at MWC 2025 Apple, Google, and Samsung regularly steal the spotlight when it comes to new smartphones. However, the AI era has been different, with companies like ChatGPT and Anthropic leading the way. Now, Honor's ambitious AI Alpha Plan has come to upset the AI applecart further -- and Apple, Google, and Samsung should be worried. Honor's AI Alpha Plan Explained At Honor's MWC 2025 keynote, the company's new CEO, James Li, emphasized a shift in focus from simply building smartphones and tablets to creating AI ecosystem devices that encourage open collaboration. As part of this strategy, Honor announced partnerships with Qualcomm and Google Cloud to develop AI tech for the agentic AI era -- essentially AI systems that can act and make decisions on behalf of the user -- and then open up that technology for other brands to integrate. As part of this strategy, Honor demoed its personal AI agent, which can book a restaurant reservation through OpenTable, considering factors like the user's calendar, traffic, dietary preferences, and more. Other AI-powered features showcased include AiMAGE, designed to dramatically improve telephoto camera image quality, and AI Upscale, which restores old portraits. Honor isn't new to AI. Its Magic Portal, showcased with the Magic V3 foldable (which also won one of our coveted Best of IFA 2024 awards), is one of the features you actually need on your smartphone. It's genuinely useful and improves your experience. But at MWC 2025, James Li made it clear that Honor is evolving. The goal is no longer just about adding AI features to smartphones -- it's about transforming into an AI ecosystem company that builds solutions across multiple devices and platforms. Why Honor's AI Alpha Plan Should Have Apple, Google, and Samsung Worried While brands like Samsung, Google, and Apple have added AI features to their devices, they're locked to their own ecosystems. For example, most Galaxy AI features only work on Samsung Galaxy devices -- primarily flagship models. Similarly, Apple Intelligence is exclusive to a handful of iPhones. Honor, however, is taking a different approach. The company's vision is to build an AI ecosystem that benefits the entire industry, not just Honor devices. While Honor hasn't fully detailed what this open AI vision will look like -- and is betting big on other brands to adopt this model -- the company has partnered with Google Cloud and Qualcomm, allowing other Android brands to potentially integrate Honor's AI tech. The company is also investing over $10 billion in this vision over the next 10 years. One of the first consumer-friendly steps Honor has taken -- although not an AI feature -- is its commitment to seven years of OS updates for flagship devices, starting with the Honor Magic 7 Pro. The company has also introduced a cross-ecosystem file-sharing system that works between Android and iOS devices. Everything Else Honor Announced at MWC 2025 Alongside unveiling the Alpha Plan, Honor introduced several new devices at its MWC 2025 keynote, including the Magic Pad V9, Honor Watch 5 Ultra, and Honor Earbuds Open. The Magic Pad V9 is a budget Android tablet that comes with an 11.5-inch display with support for up to 144Hz refresh rate. It runs on Android 15 out of the box, and despite being just 6.1mm thin, it houses a massive 10,100 mAh battery. The Honor Watch 5 Ultra puts the likes of Apple Watch Series 10 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 to shame with 15 days of battery life. It features a 1.5-inch AMOLED display with always-on support, yet it still delivers half a month of battery life. The Honor Earbuds Open are the company's new open-ear design earbuds that offer powerful sound and real-time translation powered by AI. Related The Apple Watch Series 10 Is So Good I (Almost) Want to Give Up My Ultra 2 Along with a larger screen and thinner case, the new model has taken a few tricks from the Ultra lineup. Posts 1 While MWC has always been about new hardware launches and exciting concepts, this year, unsurprisingly, is all about AI. Honor's commitment to open AI is quite different from how other brands are approaching this space, but the real question is whether the industry is ready to follow suit.

Is Samsung sweating yet? Honor just unveiled its 'Alpha Plan' at MWC 2025

At the Mobile World Congress 2025, Honor announced a series of new hardware, but that was arguably the least important thing. Instead, the focus on software, especially AI applications that may just strike a chord with users, stole the show. Also: What to expect at MWC 2025: Best phones I'm anticipating from Xiaomi, Honor, Samsung, more At the event, Honor announced what it calls "Alpha Plan," an initiative to transition the smartphone brand into an AI device ecosystem company. This is accompanied by an extended software support promise, matching that of Samsung and Google, and three new IoT launches. Here's the full rundown of the Sunday newsbreak. With Alpha Plan, Honor says it'll invest $10 billion over the next five years for a "renewed focus on open collaboration." The company says it'll work closely with Google and Qualcomm to co-create an "intelligent ecosystem," a series of devices that can seamlessly communicate and interact with each other -- like what Apple has arguably achieved, but better. This collaboration will also help Honor deliver seven years of Android OS and security updates to its flagship smartphones, joining the likes of Samsung and Google in terms of software longevity. Also: This 5-year tech industry forecast predicts some surprising winners - and losers The Honor Magic 7 Pro and Magic 7 RSR will be the first two devices to be included in the new update standard. Unfortunately, Honor won't offer these many updates to its latest foldable, the Magic V3, but the company has assured that upcoming Magic series phones will receive the seven years of Android OS updates. Honor also announced a new AIMAGE imaging brand, which includes a new feature for restoring old portraits. It'll roll out for the Magic 7 Pro later this month. AIMAGE is powered by the AI Kernel and is said to support a 1.3 billion parameter model to "generate a 50% uplift in image clarity." The company will soon release its AI Deepfake detection feature to its flagship smartphones. We'll surely want to test the accuracy and reliability of it, but it's a practical tool nonetheless during a time of digital confusion. Like Oppo's O+ Connect, Honor has also announced a new way to transfer data between Android and Apple-owned platforms. For example, a new iOS app called Honor Connect will allow users to transfer data (files, images, and videos) between Honor devices and an iPhone seamlessly. Honor is expanding its product lineup in Europe with three new devices. Leading the charge are the Honor Earbuds Open, a pair of open-ear wireless earbuds designed with a built-in ear hook -- similar in style to the recent Beats Powerbeats Pro. Weighing 7.9 grams per earbud, they offer a secure fit while integrating AI-powered features such as Live Translation and an AI agent. The earbuds also include a three-microphone hybrid active noise cancellation system that should help minimize wind noise and enhance voice clarity. Battery life is rated at up to six hours on a single charge, with the case extending it to 22 hours. The Honor Earbuds Open are priced at 149 euros. Also: Everything you need to know about Alexa+, Amazon's new generative AI assistant The company is also launching the Watch 5 Ultra, a premium smartwatch with a 1.5-inch AMOLED display that supports an always-on mode. Its design resembles the OnePlus Watch 3, and it weighs 51.8 grams. The watch is built with a titanium alloy case and a ceramic-like back cover, available in Black with a fluoroelastomer strap and Brown with a leather strap. With an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance and 5ATM water submersion support, the Watch 5 Ultra is built for durability. It runs Honor's custom software instead of Wear OS and is powered by a 480mAh battery, delivering up to 15 days of battery life. The smartwatch is priced at 279 euros. Last but not least, Honor has also announced a new tablet called the Pad V9. It sports an 11.5-inch LCD with support for a 144Hz refresh rate and a sharp 1,840 x 2,800-pixel resolution. It is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Elite chipset, paired with up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Also: This $500 Android tablet beat my iPad Pro in almost every way - and it's not a Samsung The Honor Pad V9 packs a 10,100mAh battery, which can be expected to last you a couple of days. At 475 grams, the Pad V9 should be comfortable to use. On the front, you get an 8MP camera for video calls, and a 13MP rear camera takes care of the scanning needs. It is priced at 250 euros. Unlike previous years, Honor hasn't announced a new smartphone at MWC. Instead, it's focusing on AI and delivering a better software experience. Seven years of software support is promising, and it's safe to say the Google Cloud and Qualcomm collaborations are only just getting started.

Honor's Working on a Way to Improve Cross-Device Technology - Phandroid

Following its tease of an upcoming showcase featuring its AI-based software products and services (dubbed the Honor Alpha Plan), Chinese tech giant Honor is likewise planning another big announcement during MWC 2025, which will be held in Barcelona on March 2, 16:30 CET. READ: Honor Integrates DeepSeek AI Into YOYO Assistant, Making It Smarter Than Ever Honor says that it's announcing new technologies designed to improve inter-device operability between its own devices, as well as iOS devices. Not much was mentioned by Honor, so it looks like fans and folks curious to know more will have to keep their eyes peeled for the event. Part of Honor's official statement reads: In line with the HONOR ALPHA PLAN, this new technology underscores HONOR's commitment to an open, intelligent, and interconnected AI-powered future. Full details will be revealed during HONOR's keynote at MWC 2025 in Barcelona... Inter-device operability between Android and iOS devices is something that we've been seeing more and more of in the past couple of years, with technologies such as RCS finally making its way into Apple's heavily-guarded ecosystem. With that in mind, it should be interesting to see what Honor's keeping under wraps with this new announcement.

Honor teases iOS sharing as a part of its new 'Alpha Plan' AI features

Honor is teasing new AI tools and other features to be unveiled at MWC 2025, including some new cross-device connectivity features that work with iOS. Ahead of its MWC 2025 keynote, Honor is teasing its new "Alpha Plan" push for additional AI features for its smartphones and other devices. Some of these features include AI upscaling for images, deepfake detection, and now an "AI Connect" feature. Honor says that this new feature will turn "separate systems" into "seamless ecosystems," but doesn't provide much detail on what that entails. In a note to 9to5Google and other media outlets, Honor describes this feature as delivering "groundbreaking cross-system connectivity with iOS devices, redefining seamless interaction and integration across our ecosystem." A teaser on Twitter/X suggests this will be tied into Honor Share, and the company teases Samsung for apparently not being compatible despite Apple devices working. Again, details on this are fuzzy, but it seems likely this will be similar to Oppo's "O+ Connect" service that allows Oppo and OnePlus devices to wirelessly share photos, videos, and other files with iPhones (though the iPhone owner needs to download a separate app). Honor will introduce its full "Alpha Plan" at MWC on March 2. The company teases the event in a press release saying:

Honor Teases Cross Platform Connectivity With Ecosystems Ahead of MWC

Honor will introduce cross-platform connectivity with other ecosystems as part of its larger initiative dubbed "Alpha Plan" at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025 in Barcelona next week. As per the company, Honor users will be able to link their devices across other ecosystems for carrying out activities such as sharing files with their family and friends. With this proposed feature, the company is said to eliminate the need of using third-party file-sharing applications. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Honor teased its upcoming Alpha Plan which will now include cross-platform connectivity. The company aims to convert the currently available separate systems into "seamless ecosystems". Users will be able to share files across other ecosystems leveraging the Honor Share app, a move aimed at "redefining seamless interaction and integration across our ecosystem". This is all part of the Honor Alpha Plan which has also been teased to offer protection against deepfakes powered by artificial intelligence (AI). Honor says its technology can detect face swaps in real time, protecting users against manipulated video calls or other online interactions. Notably, the aforementioned feature was first announced alongside the release of the Android 15-based MagicOS 9.0. Through subsequent social media posts, the company has also teased other AI features, several of them already available on its smartphones and other devices. Announcing the Alpha Plan last week, Honor highlighted that it will focus on "fostering an open and collaborative environment", potentially hinting towards the brand's likelihood to lean towards an open-source community. Further, it is also claimed to "build a robust AI ecosystem". Since details remain scarce, the Chinese OEM's strategic initiative is difficult to understand at present. It will be announced during Honor's keynote session on March 2 at 4:30pm CET (9:00pm IST) at the Hyatt Regency Barcelona Tower, on the sidelines of MWC 2025.

HONOR Unveils Groundbreaking AI-Powered Earbuds Open at MWC 2025

BARCELONA, Spain, March 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Global technology brand HONOR today announced the HONOR ALPHA PLAN, a new corporate strategy to transform HONOR from a smartphone maker to a global leading AI device ecosystem company. And HONOR will open industrial boundaries through open, seamless collaboration to co-create a value-sharing ecosystem with industry partners. The company also introduced the HONOR Earbuds Open - an open-ear audio device infused with advanced AI capabilities on stage. Ultimate Aesthetics with All-day Comfort Featuring an ergonomically crafted open-ear design, the HONOR Earbuds Open ensures a safe and comfortable listening experience. Each earbud weighs 7.9g[1] and incorporates skin-friendly silicone in the design, delivering exceptional comfort over prolonged usage. Designed for versatile use, the HONOR Earbuds Open utilizes a high-performance nitinol memory alloy, ensuring optimal stability and comfort during intense exercise. The skin-friendly materials make them ideal for users who prioritize comfort alongside functionality, ensuring that whether you're commuting, working out, or simply relaxing at home, the HONOR Earbuds Open promise to be with you throughout the day. Immerse with Premium Sound Quality Experience sound like never before with the HONOR Earbuds Open's premium audio capabilities. Picture yourself in a bustling café, where these earbuds' advanced acoustic technology delivers crystal-clear sound quality across all frequencies. The HONOR Earbuds Open features a φ 16mm toroidal multi-magnetic circuit, virtual bass algorithm and Surround Cinema Stereo. The dynamic drivers ensure deep bass and crisp treble, providing an immersive listening experience whether you're enjoying your favorite music or engaging in a phone call. Its Active Noise Cancellation for Open-ear Design[2] effectively reduces ambient noise, while the Environmental Noise Cancellation feature ensures clear calls in windy conditions. When you're in crowded settings like public transport or busy streets, the noise-cancellation feature can minimize ambient noise, allowing you to focus solely on what matters most -- your audio content. Unbeatable Convenience with AI Capabilities The HONOR Earbuds Open are not just about aesthetics and sound quality; they also offer unbeatable convenience through integrated AI capabilities. Pairing with the HONOR Magic7 Pro, the HONOR Earbuds Open break language barriers with AI Translation features supporting 15 languages through 3 modes including Shared Mode, Exclusive Mode and Simultaneous Interpretation. It also integrates Google Assistant for instant Q&A, phone control, and task management. Shared Mode is ideal for international students participating in peer discussions during lectures and office workers in one-on-one meetings with foreign colleagues. Users can take turns speaking different languages into the phone and hear translations in the opposite ear, or opt for continuous speech translation with no delay, providing real-time translations in both directions. Exclusive Mode is perfect for travelers, where the translation is played through the phone's speaker while one person speaks through, making communication with locals easy. Lastly, Simultaneous Interpretation works well in lectures, allowing the listener to hear real-time translations through earphones as the speaker talks. Equipped with a robust 58mAh battery and 480mAh charging case[3], the HONOR Earbuds Open delivers users with an uninterrupted entertainment experience. They also include a Find Earbuds function that emits a beeping sound to help locate misplaced earbuds. With intuitive controls for playing music, activating Noise Reduction, and more, the HONOR Earbuds Open seamlessly blend functionality and sound quality for music lovers. [1] Data from HONOR labs. Actual size and weight of the device may vary due to product configuration and manufacturing process, please refer to the actual product. [2] Data from HONOR labs. Maximum noise reduction depth tested in lab is 24dB, actual usage may vary depending on the situation. [3] The typical battery capacity is 58mAh and 480mAh. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/honor-unveils-groundbreaking-ai-powered-earbuds-open-at-mwc-2025-302389390.html SOURCE HONOR Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs