Chinese smartphone company Honor announced on Wednesday the introduction of new AI features that will be incorporated into its latest version of the Android-based Magic operating system. This new operating system will focus on AI as an assistant, allowing users to interact with their devices in a more intuitive and seamless way.
During a demonstration, Honor showcased how the AI assistant can understand vague voice commands, such as “I’m tired, order something,” and automatically order coffee without the need for the user to physically interact with the device. By utilizing AI to mimic touchscreen actions, the phone can perform tasks like identifying documents, sending messages, and making calls through social media apps like WeChat.
For devices in China, Honor collaborates with companies like Baidu for certain AI functions, while developing others internally. However, for devices sold overseas, Honor partners with Google to integrate AI capabilities. The upcoming Magic 7 smartphone, set to launch on October 30, will feature these advanced AI capabilities and will be powered by Qualcomm’s newly announced Snapdragon Elite 8 chip.
In a similar move, Chinese tech giant Xiaomi is also gearing up to release a new phone this month that will utilize Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Elite 8 chip. Xiaomi, however, has been more reserved in its promotion of AI features for smartphones.
The advancements in AI technology have impressed industry analysts like Toby Zhu from Canalys, who believes that these new features have the potential to sway consumers to switch to devices that offer superior AI capabilities. Despite facing challenges in the Chinese market, Apple is not expected to experience a significant decline in sales, according to Zhu.
On the topic of Apple, the tech giant has yet to venture into the foldable smartphone market that competitors like Honor, Xiaomi, and Huawei have already entered. Additionally, Apple’s revenue from Greater China has seen a slight decline, dropping from 19% to 17% in the past year. Apple CEO Tim Cook recently met with China’s Minister of Industry and Information Technology to discuss data security and cloud services.
As for the smartphone market in China, the prices of devices like the iPhone 16 Pro Max and Huawei’s Mate XT have fluctuated on second-hand platforms like Xianyu. While the iPhone 16 Pro Max has seen a slight decrease in value since its launch, the Mate XT has experienced a more significant drop in price.
Overall, the integration of AI features into smartphones is reshaping the industry landscape, with companies like Honor and Xiaomi leading the charge in innovation. With the release of the Magic 7 and other upcoming devices, consumers can expect a new level of AI-powered functionality that will enhance their overall smartphone experience.
