Honor is making a bold move in the AI smartphone market, announcing a $10 billion investment in artificial intelligence (AI) over the next five years. Revealed at Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025 in Barcelona, this initiative aims to transform Honor from a smartphone brand into a leading AI device ecosystem company.
Honor’s AI Investment Strategy
The Chinese smartphone maker, which spun off from Huawei in 2020, is aggressively expanding its global footprint. The $10 billion investment will focus on:
- Integrating AI into hardware, enhancing performance and user experience.
- Developing next-generation AI agents, advanced virtual assistants that streamline everyday tasks.
- Creating an AI-powered device platform, enabling seamless interaction between Honor and third-party AI devices.
- Preparing for the Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) era, positioning Honor at the forefront of AI innovation.
Despite its growing presence, Honor’s global smartphone market share outside China was 2.3% in 2024, up from 1.7% in 2023, according to IDC data.
Honor Strengthens Google Partnership for AI and Android Integration
In a major step toward AI-enhanced smartphones, Honor is collaborating with Google and Qualcomm to develop AI-powered virtual assistants. At MWC 2025, Honor showcased a proof-of-concept AI agent that can book restaurants based on user preferences—a glimpse into future AI-driven interactions.
Honor also announced deeper integration with Google Gemini AI, which will power AI-driven features on its latest devices. This positions Honor alongside Samsung and Google Pixel in leveraging Google’s most advanced AI technologies.
Honor Commits to 7 Years of Android and Security Updates
In a move that reinforces its commitment to Android, Honor pledged seven years of Android OS updates and security patches for its Magic series flagship smartphones. This aligns Honor with Samsung’s Galaxy S series and Google’s Pixel devices, making it one of the few brands offering long-term software support.
Why Honor’s Google Partnership Matters
Industry experts believe Honor’s deeper ties with Google are a major breakthrough.
“Honor’s stronger partnership with Google is very significant,” said Ben Wood, chief analyst at CCS Insight. “Google has kept Chinese smartphone makers at arm’s length regarding Gemini AI, but now Honor is on par with Samsung and Google Pixel—an impressive achievement.”
As Honor accelerates its AI innovation and Google partnership, the brand is set to compete more aggressively in the global smartphone market, offering powerful AI-driven devices with long-term software support.
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