Honor expects people to rely more on AI assistants than individual smartphone apps, a shift that could reshape how billions use their devices. The comment came this week from Fei Fang, Honor’s President of Products, in an interview with CNBC, highlighting a strategic bet by the Chinese phone maker on device-centered intelligence.
Fang’s forecast lands as leading phone brands rush to add on-device and cloud AI to their flagship models. The core question is whether assistants will handle most tasks by orchestrating apps in the background, reducing the need for users to tap icons and navigate menus.
Background On Honor And AI
Honor, once part of Huawei, has rebuilt its global business with an emphasis on premium Android phones. The company has promoted features that use AI to simplify tasks, summarize content, and recommend actions based on context. Competitors have followed similar paths.
Apple has announced a major upgrade to Siri with generative features and system-level actions. Google is weaving its Gemini assistant deeper into Android and app workflows. Samsung is marketing “Galaxy AI” tools that translate, summarize, and edit content on-device.
Fang signaled that this momentum is not a passing trend but a user behavior change that will gather speed as assistants gain reliability and access to more services.
Honor’s View: Assistants First, Apps Second
“Honor expects people will turn more to AI assistants rather than smartphone apps directly,” President of Products Fei Fang told CNBC in an exclusive interview.
The idea is simple: users state a goal, and the assistant handles the steps. Book a flight, pay a bill, or edit a photo—without hopping across multiple apps. This could improve speed and reduce friction, especially for everyday tasks.
For phone makers, an assistant-first model offers a chance to control more of the user journey. It also raises questions over which companies own the experience and which services are selected behind the scenes.
How This Could Change Mobile Behavior
App stores are crowded, and most people already spend time in a small set of apps. An assistant that coordinates those services could reduce the need to open each one directly.
- Search could move from typing in a browser to asking an assistant to “find and book the best option.”
- Shopping may shift from brand apps to assistant-driven recommendations that compare price and delivery time.
- Productivity tasks might run through voice or text prompts that trigger actions across multiple apps.
If this model takes hold, it could change how companies measure engagement and how ads or subscriptions reach users.
Impact On Developers And Platforms
Developers could see fewer direct app launches, raising concerns about discovery and customer relationships. At the same time, assistants may drive new demand through “intent” style integrations, where apps expose specific actions for assistants to trigger.
Platforms that define these integrations will gain influence. Apple, Google, and leading Android brands are building tools for safe, permissioned actions. Clear standards for data access and attribution will be important for trust and fair competition.
For Honor, building an effective assistant means working with a large set of services. It also means keeping sensitive data on-device when possible, while offering cloud support for heavier tasks.
Privacy, Regulation, And Consumer Trust
Assistant-first usage depends on trust. People must feel comfortable letting software read messages, calendars, and emails to act on their behalf. Strong privacy controls, transparent prompts, and visible consent will matter.
Regulators are watching how assistants rank services and handle data. Antitrust and consumer protection rules may shape how assistants select flights, stores, or news sources. Clear disclosures about partnerships and default choices will be key.
What To Watch Next
The next wave of phones will show how far assistants can go in real use. Expect tighter links between assistants and core apps like messages, maps, and payments. Third-party services will push for equal treatment and better analytics.
Consumers will judge these tools on accuracy, speed, and privacy. If assistants save time and prevent mistakes, usage will grow. If they make errors or hide choices, people will revert to direct app taps.
Fang’s statement sets a clear direction for Honor’s product playbook. The company is betting that an assistant-centered phone will feel simpler and more helpful for daily life.
The shift will not happen overnight. But as assistants learn to complete tasks across services with fewer prompts, the app icon may become a backstage tool, not the main act.
