MWC Sunday- HONOR will spend £8bn over the next five years on becoming an AI leader

HONOR plans to transition from a smartphone manufacturer to a global leader in AI-driven device ecosystems and will invest £8bn over the next five years to accelerate AI innovation and ecosystem development.

At MWC today (Sunday) the manufacturer unveiled a three-step roadmap highlights HONOR’s commitment to innovation, openness, and collaboration, inviting industry partners to co-create an intelligent world that maximizes human potential.

In the UK and Ireland, the first phase of the HONOR ALPHA PLAN begins with the launch of the HONOR Magic V3, Magic 7 Pro, and Magic 7 Lite.

These devices, available through EE, Virgin Media O2, Three, Vodafone, and retailers like Argos and Currys, integrate advanced AI imaging technologies such as AI Motion Sensing Capture and AI Super Zoom.

To showcase AI’s impact, HONOR partnered with Manchester United and Snapdragon to restore historical images of Old Trafford, demonstrating AI Upscale’s ability to revive lost photographic details.

The HONOR ALPHA PLAN consists of three key phases:

1. Developing an Intelligent Phone – HONOR will collaborate with partners to create AI-driven smartphones that enhance user experiences with intelligent, human-centric innovations.

2. Expanding AI Ecosystems – The company aims to break industry boundaries by integrating AI into physical environments, fostering seamless connectivity between devices.

3. Advancing AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) – HONOR envisions co-developing AI capabilities that push human potential, bridging the gap between carbon-based life and silicon-based intelligence.

AI-Powered Innovations

The company showcased the world’s first GUI-based personal mobile AI agent, developed in collaboration with Google Cloud and Qualcomm Technologies. For dxample the AI assistant can book reservations while factoring in calendar appointments and traffic data, with international rollouts planned.

HONOR has ad eveloped AiMAGE, its AI-powered imaging technology. AiMAGE leverages both on-device and cloud-based AI models, enhancing image clarity by 50 per cent. Its cloud-based AI model, with 12.4 billion parameters, is said to significantly improves telephoto images, while an on-device AI kernel supports real-time processing. Collaborations with Google Cloud further enhance AI-powered image restoration.

HONOR’s file-sharing technology allows ultra-fast transfers across iOS and Android devices, while AI Deepfake Detection is set to be integrated into HONOR’s flagship smartphones and foldable devices.

“In the physical AI era, we must open industry boundaries and co-create an ecosystem that enables seamless collaboration,” said James Li, CEO of HONOR. “By working together, we can unlock the full potential of AI and drive technological advancements that benefit everyone.”

representatives from Google Cloud, Qualcomm Technologies, CKH Group, Orange, Telefónica, and Vodafone joined Li in a tree-lighting ceremony symbolizing collective efforts to build a robust AI-driven device ecosystem.

Industry leaders expressed their support for HONOR’s vision. “HONOR’s roadmap underscores the role of AI in transforming the device industry. We are excited to collaborate with HONOR to integrate our AI technologies and power the next generation of smart devices,” said Alex Katouzian, Group General Manager at Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.

Matt Waldbusser, Managing Director of Global Solutions and Consumer AI at Google Cloud, added, “Collaboration is essential in shaping an open AI ecosystem. We are working closely with HONOR to integrate Google’s Gemini AI models, unlocking new possibilities for users while prioritizing data security and privacy.”

Sustainability and Consumer Support

HONOR reaffirmed its commitment to sustainability, pledging to achieve operational carbon neutrality by 2040—five years ahead of its initial target—and full carbon neutrality across its supply chain by 2050.

The company also announced a seven-year support plan for its flagship Magic series, promising extended Android OS and security updates for European users.