Honor is going to take things to the next level by launching two additional product categories beyond conventional smartphones. In an exclusive interview with CNBC at Mobile World Congress 2024 in Barcelona, George Zhao, Honor’s CEO, revealed the company’s plans to introduce a vertically folding smartphone, likely called the Honor Magic Flip, as well as a smart ring. This move is a sign of Honor’s desire to challenge established players in this product category such as Samsung.
The upcoming flip phone represents Honor’s foray into the flip-folding phone category, a style popularized by brands such as Samsung and Motorola. Zhao expressed confidence in the potential of foldable devices, emphasizing the company’s positive outlook for the future. Although Honor already boasts a number of foldable phones, including the Honor Magic V2, these devices have a book-shaped form factor and tend to be more expensive.
At the heart of Honor‘s strategy is the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into its devices. Zhao emphasized the importance of AI to improve user interaction and experience. Using AI capabilities, Honor aims to anticipate users’ needs and preferences, in particular through features such as predicting actions based on user behavior. At MWC, the company demonstrated AI-powered features, including eye-tracking technology on the Honor Magic 6 Pro and a chatbot built on Meta’s Llama 2 AI model.
While not much is known about the hardware specs at this point, some previous reports have suggested that this vertical folding device could have a 2,420mAh + 1,980mAh dual-cell battery for a total capacity of 4,500mAh. If true, this device will have the largest battery among flip phones.
In addition to its smartphone advancements, Honor is expanding its product portfolio to include smart rings in its wearables. The company unveiled its first smart ring at MWC 2024, a step after Samsung’s Galaxy Ring debut. Zhao hinted at potential synergies between its devices and smartphones through its health app, envisioning seamless health monitoring using AI.
The introduction of AI into health-oriented devices opens the way for personalized medical information and recommendations. Zhao emphasized the transformative potential of AI in revolutionizing health apps by envisioning customized workout programs based on individual habits and health data. With the smart ring, Honor aims to provide users with practical advice derived from AI-powered analysis, complementing its existing lineup of wearables and smartphones.
