HONOR is set to unveil its first vertical-folding flip phone in 2024, joining the trend popularized by brands like Samsung, OPPO, and Motorola.
George Zhao, CEO of HONOR, confirmed the news during an exclusive interview with CNBC at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.
HONOR Flip Phone in 2024
During the interview, Zhao expressed confidence in this new venture, stating, “We are gearing up for the flip phone launch this year,” indicating the company’s readiness for this transition. The move follows the global launch of Magic6 Pro and PORSCHE DESIGN HONOR Magic V2 RSR at the event.
The decision to venture into flip foldables opens up new market opportunities for HONOR, potentially targeting a different price point compared to traditional horizontal-folding devices.
HONOR aims to tap into the premium smartphone market by introducing foldable devices. Despite a decline in the overall smartphone market, sales for premium smartphones priced over $600 continued to rise in 2023, as reported by Counterpoint Research.
Zhao hopes to see overseas sales surpassing those in China within the next few years.
HONOR Ring
In addition to the foldable phone, HONOR is also working on a smart ring, as revealed by Zhao during the same CNBC interview.
The smart ring is part of HONOR’s broader focus on health-related products and services, following Samsung’s recent announcement of the Galaxy Ring, touted to launch later this year.
While details about the smart ring are scarce, Zhao emphasized its integration with HONOR’s health app. Just like Samsung, HONOR aims to connect its products, leveraging artificial intelligence to offer personalized health insights.
Zhao believes that AI will revolutionize health applications, allowing for tailored training programs based on users’ habits and health data. He envisions a future where AI-enhanced apps provide professional suggestions to improve users’ well-being.