Android software updates have made significant progress, with most brands now committing to providing at least four years of guaranteed platform updates, especially on their flagship phones. Google and Samsung go even further by guaranteeing seven years of Android updates, with Google extending this promise to its mid-range Pixel 8a as well.
Joining this prestigious club is Honor, which announced at MWC 2025 that it will be offering seven Android OS updates for its Magic flagship devices. This initiative starts with the Magic 7 Pro, including Honor’s foldable devices, although the Magic V3, which debuted last year, is not included in this list.
This move sets Honor apart as the only Chinese manufacturer to offer such a long-term update guarantee, giving its devices a significant edge over its competitors. Coupled with Honor’s emphasis on AI-focused utilities, MagicOS now stands out with a unique selling point.
Honor hopes that its commitment will inspire other industry players to follow suit with similar update guarantees on their devices. However, not all manufacturers are on board yet. OPPO deems four Android OS updates to be sufficient for its phones, Vivo has no plans to change its update schedule this year, and Xiaomi continues to struggle with timely updates. Guaranteeing seven Android OS updates is currently beyond Xiaomi’s capabilities.
Similar to Google and Samsung devices, Honor’s phones now promise a longer lifespan compared to their competitors. Even if you don’t use the Magic 7 Pro for seven years, the extended update guarantee ensures that the device will retain its value better over time.
Honor is also focusing on AI as a key differentiator, outlining an AI strategy at MWC 2025 aimed at creating a connected ecosystem of AI-powered devices. While AI may not be everyone’s cup of tea, the mobile agentic AI on Honor’s phones is designed to assist with automating tasks like booking cabs, making restaurant reservations, setting up calendar entries, and more.
Honor is also developing utilities to facilitate seamless data transfer across devices, even those not manufactured by the brand. The ultimate goal is to create a collaborative platform connecting various devices.
While the concept is intriguing, the effectiveness of these AI features remains to be seen. Honor’s Magic 7 Pro boasts a range of AI utilities, distinguishing itself from competitors who often incorporate AI as a trend without a clear strategy. Honor’s $10 billion investment in AI over the next decade shows the manufacturer’s commitment to this vision.
Although generative AI may not appeal to everyone, the potential for an agentic AI model to automate daily tasks is a significant selling point. If Honor can deliver this feature before its competitors, it could prove to be a major win for the brand.