Honor rolls out bold plans for future

Honor, one of Huawei Technologies Co Ltd's two signature smartphone brands, has unveiled the first device of the Honor 20 series, the Honor 20i, to better cater to younger-generation customers.

Honor 20i, the selfie-centric smartphone, comes with a 6.21-inch full screen and efficient data-processing capabilities which offers a smoother gaming experience, company president Zhao Ming said on Wednesday in Beijing.

With a price starting at 1,599 yuan ($239), the new gadget has a triple camera setup, allowing users to shoot high-quality photos in low light condition.

"Compared with their parent generation, young people born in the 1990s love taking selfies. They are increasingly making selfies a part of their life. With a 32-megapixel front camera and enhanced artificial intelligence technology, the new device will better meet the younger generation's demand for selfies showing their natural beauty," Zhao said.

Honor has teamed up with leading fashion brand Aape to offer limited-edition versions of the 20i to attract young consumers.

Along with this new collaboration, Honor will welcome more cooperation with other fashion brands in the future, Zhao noted.

"The key is to build core capabilities amid fierce industry competition," Zhao added. "Honor will attach great importance to quality and innovation, and we will continue to invest resources to combine high-tech and fashion."

Zhao made the remarks after Yu Chengdong, CEO of Huawei's consumer business group, said earlier this month the Honor brand's goal is to be in the top two in China and top four in the world.

"To achieve the goal, Honor will continue to focus on quality and the improvement of our own core competency." Zhao said.  

Zhao also announced Honor will launch a 5G smartphone this year.

Statistics from market research company Counterpoint showed Huawei has maintained high-speed growth, with a run of hit products last year. Despite the 11 percent year-on-year decline of China's smartphone sales volume in 2018, Huawei — Honor included — was the market leader last year, capturing 25 percent market share.

"Huawei and Honor are winning the trust of Chinese consumers, as their marketing teams have shaped them into technology-rich brands deeply embedded in consumers' minds", said Flora Tang, research analyst at Counterpoint.