At the Mobile World Congress 2026, HONOR presented a far-reaching vision for the future of smart devices. With the new HONOR AI Connect platform, the company wants to create an open, cross-brand device ecosystem in which smartphones, smart home devices, vehicles and even robots work together seamlessly. The approach goes beyond traditional device connectivity: the goal is shared, cross-device AI intelligence. HONOR is thus increasingly positioning itself as a provider of a comprehensive AI ecosystem rather than just a smartphone manufacturer.
- HONOR AI Connect platform: Open platform for developers and partners with over 20,000 integrated AI services planned by the end of 2026
- Cross-device AI agent: digital twin recognizes user intentions and automatically transfers tasks between devices
- New device shapes: Concepts such as the HONOR Robot Phone combine smartphone technology with robotics
- Focus on partnerships: collaboration with companies such as Orange to open up new hardware categories
HONOR AI Connect: Open device ecosystem as a strategic turning point
With the HONOR AI Connect platform, HONOR is pursuing a clear strategy: the aim is to break up the device ecosystems that were previously very separate from one another. Instead of isolated hardware, a platform is being created on which developers and partners can integrate their AI services. According to HONOR, more than 20,000 AI services should be available by the end of 2026.
The core of the platform is a cross-device AI agent that acts as a personal digital twin. It recognizes user intentions on a device – such as a smartphone – and automatically transfers tasks to other systems. For example, a task started on the smartphone could continue seamlessly in the smart home system or be continued in the vehicle.
This fundamentally shifts the role of devices. Instead of isolated hardware, they act as specialized endpoints of a shared AI network. HONOR describes this change with two key developments:
- Decoupling from hardware: devices are becoming specialized peripherals for specific scenarios
- Ubiquitous AI access: intelligent interactions arise directly in the context of the real environment
This vision was presented during the “ConnectAI” discussion at the MWC by Fang Fei, President of Products at HONOR, among others. She compared the current development to the “Cambrian explosion” of evolution – a phase in which numerous new life forms suddenly emerged. New categories of intelligent devices could develop at a similar pace in the future.
New AI devices: from smartphones to proactive digital companions
One example of this new generation of devices is the HONOR Robot Phone. The concept device combines classic smartphone functions with robotic technology. Its ability to record videos autonomously is particularly interesting: The device recognizes subjects, tracks them automatically and thus acts as a personal cameraman.
Such functions show where HONOR believes devices should develop: away from passive tools and towards proactive AI partners. The basis is the concept of augmented human intelligence (AHI). Artificial intelligence should not only automate tasks, but also actively support users – for example with creativity, communication or productivity.
To realize this vision, HONOR relies heavily on cooperation. Together with partners from the technology and telecommunications industry, new hardware categories are to be created, including
- Smart home devices
- audio products
- Educational hardware
- AI-powered pet and toy solutions
- Specialized AI companions
At the same time, HONOR presented other devices at the MWC, including an AI-native foldable smartphone, the ultra-thin Magic-V model, as well as new PCs and tablets. These products will serve as central hubs in the open AI ecosystem in the future.
Conclusion
With the HONOR AI Connect platform, the company is focusing on an open device ecosystem that goes far beyond traditional smartphone strategies. The focus is on cross-device AI intelligence that automatically distributes tasks between smartphones, smart home systems, vehicles and robots. Initial devices such as the Robot Phone show where this vision could lead. Specific prices or market launches have not yet been mentioned for many of the concepts presented, while new smartphones, PCs and tablets are expected to be available in the course of 2026.
