Here’s how Honor is competing with Samsung and Apple through its expansive AI Alpha Plan.

      Nirave Gondhia / Digital Trends

      In recent years, Honor has been expanding the limits of foldable phone technology with the Magic V2 and Magic V3. Its flagship model, the Magic 7 Pro, even surpasses the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra in several areas. However, hardware alone isn't sufficient when searching for a new phone; software significantly influences purchasing decisions, and Honor appears to be focusing on that aspect. At MWC 2025, the company unveiled a $10 billion Alpha Plan aimed at elevating its status to compete with Apple and Samsung.

      What does the Honor Alpha Plan mean for you?

      Joe Maring / Digital Trends

      Honor aims to evolve from being merely a smartphone manufacturer to becoming an “AI device ecosystem company.” This means that in addition to smartphones, you can anticipate more products such as wearables, tablets, and laptops being rolled out globally, with enhanced integration across devices. The company has announced strengthened partnerships with Google Cloud and Qualcomm to transform “human-to-device interaction” through AI. Honor plans to invest $10 billion in the Alpha Plan over the next five years.

      Currently, Honor has introduced a few AI features targeting its vision for human-to-device interaction. One demonstration showcased Honor’s AI agent booking a table through a third-party service while considering real-time traffic and appointments saved in Honor Calendar. While there is no specific release date yet, it is expected to be available in international markets soon.

      The Alpha Plan also includes a new imaging technology brand, AIMage, with an AI Upscale tool designed to restore old portraits. This will be launched this month for the Honor Magic 7 Pro and Magic 7 RSR.

      Additionally, there is a new “all-ecosystem file-sharing technology” that enables data transfer between Android and iOS devices. Similar to Oppo’s O+ Connect for cross-platform data sharing, users will need to install the Honor Connect app on their iPhones to utilize this feature. Honor's AI deepfake detection is also set to be available soon on its latest flagship bar phones and foldable devices.

      Honor is targeting the major leagues

      Prakhar Khanna / Digital Trends

      A strong emphasis on cross-device integration, along with a commitment to providing seven years of Android OS upgrades, positions Honor’s strategy closely to that of Samsung and Apple, both of which have established ecosystems.

      From my experience, Honor’s current cross-device integration is quite good, but its design could use a refresh to feel more contemporary. The partnerships with Google Cloud and Qualcomm hold promise—while Honor’s hardware has consistently been excellent, its software has often lagged. The collaborations outlined in the Alpha Plan may effectively close that gap for the better.

      Prakhar writes news, reviews, and features for Digital Trends. He is an independent tech journalist who has contributed to various publications.

      Tri-fold phone concept is the device we didn’t know we needed

      In the last five years, following the launch of their first commercially available foldable devices, Samsung and Motorola have seen numerous brands enter the foldable phone market. With the segment growing crowded, many brands are now striving to differentiate themselves with tri-fold and multi-fold phones, especially after Huawei revealed its remarkably thin triple-folding device. While the typical intention behind a tri-fold design is to create a foldable-like footprint, one brand is taking a different approach, opting for increased compactness.

      Infinix, a prominent phone brand in Asia, Africa, and parts of Eastern Europe, has just teased a tri-fold phone concept that collapses into a small, palm-sized form. Rather than a book-style foldable, Infinix is opting for dimensions akin to a flip phone. However, instead of two folds, this device features three, resulting in a more compact layout.

      Apple says iPhone 16e users don’t care about MagSafe — they’re probably right

      The iPhone 16e has launched today, and initial reviews are starting to emerge online. A review that caught my eye was from John Gruber at Daring Fireball. His extensive review includes insights from Apple officials about the company's decision not to include MagSafe for wireless charging on the iPhone 16e. The reasoning appears to be valid and extends beyond merely saving costs.

      As previously noted, Apple’s latest budget phone shares numerous features with the iPhone 16. However, since the iPhone 16e is priced $200 lower, several features found in the iPhone 16 have been excluded from the 16e, including MagSafe.

      The Nothing Phone 3a button is no longer a mystery

      There has been quite a buzz recently around the Nothing (3a) series, which includes two phones set to be officially announced on Tuesday, March 4. One of the company’s teasers has centered on a new button, the purpose of which was unclear until now.

      We have discovered that this new button will activate an AI assistant called Essential Space, which Nothing had previously hinted at.