AI News: Honor Invests $10B in AI, Teams Up with Google for Smarter Devices

On Sunday at Mobile World Congress 2025 in Barcelona, “Honor” (Chinese smartphone manufacturer), announced a $10 billion investment in artificial intelligence over the next five years.

As part of this initiative, Honor revealed a deepening partnership with Google.

Key Points

• Honor and Google collaboration focuses on developing advanced AI capabilities,  including the Honor UI Agent.
• Honor said it is working with Google and chip designer Qualcomm on developing its AI agent, but did not give a timeline for its release.
• Honor is also using the technology behind Google Gemini for the AI features on its latest devices.
• An Honor spokesperson told CNBC the money would go toward putting AI into hardware as well as next generation AI agents, which are often described as more advanced virtual assistants.
• According to Honor another part of the investment will go toward creating a “platform for a wide range of AI devices.”
• A small portion of the investment will also be used to “prepare for the AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) era.
• Honor will also provide seven years of Android updates for its Magic series, similar to Google’s Pixel and Samsung’s Galaxy models.

Background

Honor’s these developments occur against a backdrop of intensified competition in the global smartphone market.

Honor’s market share in China declined from second to fourth place last year, facing stiff competition from rivals such as Huawei and Vivo.

The company’s ambitious AI investment and enhanced partnership with Google are strategic efforts to regain market position and drive innovation in the AI-integrated device sector.

News Gist

At MWC 2025, Honor pledged $10 billion for AI innovation over five years, deepening its partnership with Google.

The investment supports AI-powered hardware, next-gen virtual assistants, and AGI preparation, while Honor’s Magic series now guarantees seven years of updates.