Honor Announces 7 Years Of Android Updates With New 'Alpha Plan'

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Honor’s Flagship Phones Now Offer 7 Years of Android Updates

Honor has announced a major commitment for its flagship phones, starting from the Magic 7 Pro, which debuted earlier this year. The company pledges to deliver 7 years of Android OS updates along with regular security patches. This initiative aims to enhance user experience by ensuring that devices stay updated with the latest features and security standards.

According to Honor’s official website, users can expect monthly updates for the first few years, followed by quarterly updates as time goes on. While the specifics of how these updates will be distributed over the years are yet to be revealed, this is seen as a positive step toward extending the life of smartphones.

Currently, this update commitment applies only to the Magic 7 Pro but will expand to all upcoming flagship devices, including both bar and foldable phones. These updates not only help minimize electronic waste but also support sustainability efforts by allowing users to enjoy their devices for a longer period.

Honor states: “The extended support not only extends the lifespan of devices and reduces e-waste but also ensures users enjoy secure, high-performing devices with the latest AI technology throughout their extended lifecycles.”

Magic 7 Pro users in the EU are the first to benefit from these updates, with plans to roll out this extended support to future flagship models.

Honor’s Alpha Plan and AI Innovations

Alongside the update pledge, Honor introduced its “Alpha Plan” at MWC 2025. The company aims to evolve from merely manufacturing smartphones to becoming an integrated “AI device ecosystem” company under its new CEO.

The Alpha Plan consists of three main steps: Initially, Honor plans to develop an intelligent smartphone. The second step will involve collaborative efforts to create a new AI device ecosystem. Finally, the plan aims to push for advancements in general artificial intelligence (AGI) to enhance human capabilities.

Honor has stated the intention to work with tech giants like Google and Qualcomm. Their goal is to create a “personal mobile AI agent” that will assist users in daily tasks by analyzing contexts across various applications. For instance, the feature will help users book restaurant reservations while considering their calendar and current traffic conditions.

Additionally, the “AiMAGE” technology, which aims to elevate image quality, will gradually be integrated into the Magic 7 Pro starting in March. This technology can enhance existing photos through an AI upscaling feature. Honor has shared demonstrations of this feature on social media ahead of their official presentation.

Other exciting innovations under the Alpha Plan include AI-driven deepfake detection and a new cross-platform file-sharing feature compatible with both Android and iOS devices.

Exciting New Products in the Alpha Plan

As part of the Alpha Plan rollout, several devices were announced:

HONOR Pad V9: A slim 11-inch Android tablet.
HONOR Watch 5 Ultra: A smartwatch with a remarkable battery life of 15 days.
HONOR Earbuds Open: Wireless earbuds supporting AI translation for real-time interpretation.

These new products are priced at approximately €250 for the tablet, €279 for the smartwatch, and €149 for the earbuds. Additionally, Honor teased the upcoming launch of the MagicBook Pro 14 laptop, which is expected to make waves in the tech community.

Honor’s Update Commitments Compared to Competitors

Honor’s commitment to 7 years of Android updates aligns it with other tech leaders. Google initiated this trend with its Pixel 8 series in 2023, which was also extended to the Pixel 9 series. Similarly, Samsung offers 7 years of updates for its flagship devices, including the Galaxy S24 and Z Flip models. Samsung has also committed to 6-year updates for some of its entry-level devices, including the Galaxy A-series.

Overall, Honor’s initiatives reinforce a growing industry trend towards long-term support for smartphones, thereby extending their usability and reinforcing customer loyalty through enhanced device longevity.

With these exciting updates and innovations, Honor is clearly positioning itself as a significant player in the tech industry, committed to enhancing user experience through sustained software support and groundbreaking AI features.