With the launch of the HONOR Magic8 Pro in the region, the brand continues to reinforce its position as one of the most dynamic and fast-growing technology players in the GCC. Following the debut of its latest flagship, we spoke with Debo Zhang, General Manager for HONOR GCC, to discuss the innovations behind the Magic8 Pro, HONOR’s leadership in 5.5G, and the company’s broader strategy across the UAE and neighboring markets.
Drawing on his strong track record in driving regional growth, Zhang offers insight into HONOR’s vision for its expanding AI ecosystem and its roadmap for the years ahead.
With the HONOR Magic8 Pro introducing new capabilities such as the AI Ultra Night Telephoto system and advanced low-light performance, how do these innovations reflect HONOR’s broader approach to elevating smartphone photography and AI-driven user experiences in the GCC?
The HONOR Magic8 Pro showcases HONOR’s broader vision of transforming smartphone photography by fusing advanced hardware with intelligent on-device AI. The new AI Ultra Night Telephoto system, combined with a 200MP sensor and CIPA 5.5-grade stabilization, sets a new benchmark for clarity, tonal precision, and long-range performance, capabilities that directly respond to how users in the GCC capture their world. Nightlife, illuminated skylines, desert horizons, and cultural events make low-light photography a daily use case in the region, and the Magic8 Pro was engineered to excel precisely in these environments.
At the core of this innovation is our AiMAGE Ultra Night Engine, a one-billion-parameter on-device AI system that analyses light, depth, motion, and texture in real time. This reflects HONOR’s philosophy of building AI that enhances creativity, such as Magic Color for instant cinematic grading, effortlessly giving users professional-grade imaging without complexity, and ensuring privacy by processing sensitive imaging data securely on the device.
For the GCC, a region defined by creators, frequent travelers, and highly engaged digital communities, this approach is essential. Users here expect their devices to deliver not only performance but also artistic freedom. The HONOR Magic8 Pro’s capabilities illustrate HONOR’s long-term commitment to human-centric innovation: technology that adapts to the user, elevates everyday storytelling, and unlocks new creative possibilities through AI.
This is HONOR’s vision for the future of smartphone imaging in the GCC: intelligent, effortless, secure, and designed for the region’s unique visual culture.
HONOR is bringing the first 5.5G smartphone to the UAE with the Magic8 Pro. From a regional perspective, how do you see 5.5G transforming user behavior, and what role is HONOR playing in supporting operator partnerships and ecosystem readiness?
5.5G represents a turning point for digital life in the GCC. With improvements in speed, latency, reliability, and uplink capacity, it will accelerate a shift toward more immersive, real-time, and cloud-dependent behaviors. Users will move from simply consuming content to producing and sharing it instantaneously; from local processing to AI-assisted, cloud-driven workflows; from traditional gaming to latency-sensitive cloud gaming; and from static video to high-resolution interactive experiences that require stable, high-bandwidth connections.
The UAE is ideally positioned to lead this transformation. Its world-class digital infrastructure and forward-thinking regulatory environment provide a seamless foundation for next-generation networks. Our partnership with e&, one of the global leaders in 5.5G deployment, ensures that the HONOR Magic8 Pro is not only compatible with the new standard but engineered to maximize it. Together, we have aligned device-level optimization with network-level readiness so that users can experience the full impact of 5.5G, whether that means instant content uploads, real-time AI scene processing, or stable connectivity in high-density environments like airports, stadiums, and major events.
Beyond network collaboration, HONOR plays a broader role in preparing the regional ecosystem. Across the GCC, we are working with operators, retail partners, and developers to ensure that 5.5G-enabled experiences, from AI photography to cloud productivity, integrate smoothly into daily life. As user behavior shifts, our responsibility is to deliver devices that anticipate those changes, support operator ambitions, and help accelerate the region’s evolution into a 5.5G-ready digital economy.
In essence, 5.5G will not only speed up what users already Do but it will fundamentally expand what they can do. HONOR’s mission is to ensure that the transition is intuitive, seamless, and fully optimized for the GCC’s rapidly advancing digital landscape.
HONOR has reported strong momentum across the GCC in recent years. What would you highlight as the key drivers of growth in markets such as the UAE, Oman, Qatar, and Bahrain, and how do these align with your strategic priorities?
HONOR’s momentum across the GCC reflects our alignment between regional consumer behavior and our long-term innovation strategy. In the UAE, one of our strongest global markets, growth has been driven by rising demand for AI-first devices, especially among creators, young professionals, and digitally active consumers who expect pro-grade imaging, seamless multitasking, and long-lasting battery performance. The Magic series has resonated strongly because it delivers consistent, real-world capability, whether capturing night-time cityscapes, operating in high-temperature environments, or supporting full-day productivity.
In Oman, Qatar, and Bahrain, our expansion has been propelled by deeper collaborations with operators, broader retail accessibility, and a portfolio that caters to both flagship enthusiasts and mainstream users seeking reliable, high-performance devices. These markets have responded exceptionally well to our emphasis on AI imaging, silicon-carbon battery technology, and enhanced after-sales support, all of which strengthen trust and long-term brand loyalty.
Across the region, consumers are increasingly recognizing HONOR as a brand that pairs cutting-edge innovation with durability and human-centric design. This trajectory directly supports our strategic priorities for 2025–2026: scaling our AI-powered ecosystem, reinforcing premium positioning through retail and service excellence, and accelerating growth through strong local partnerships. Our goal is to ensure that every major GCC market benefits from HONOR’s global innovations and to shape products that reflect the region’s rapidly evolving digital lifestyle.
The Dubai Mall HONOR Experience Store has become a flagship touchpoint for the brand. What was the strategic vision behind this location, and how does it enhance the way consumers interact with HONOR’s expanding AI ecosystem of smartphones, laptops, wearables, and smart devices?
The Dubai Mall HONOR Experience Store was created as a flagship space that brings our brand vision to life. Dubai Mall is one of the most visited and influential retail destinations in the world, providing HONOR with a powerful platform to connect with consumers and showcase our leadership in AI-driven technology.
Our goal for the store was to build a place where people can experience the complete HONOR ecosystem in a natural, intuitive way. Visitors can test how our smartphones, laptops, tablets, wearables, and smart devices work together through MagicOS, and explore how AI makes everyday tasks easier and more seamless.
Beyond product discovery, the store also serves as a space where customers can speak directly with our experts, ask questions, learn new features, and get hands-on support. This human connection is integral to how we build trust and strengthen our premium positioning in the UAE and across the GCC.
As the UAE continues to grow as a regional hub for technology and innovation, the Dubai Mall Experience Store stands as a symbol of HONOR’s long-term commitment to the region. It reinforces our belief that great technology should be experienced—not just seen—and that meaningful retail spaces will play a key role in the future of AI-powered consumer experiences.
As HONOR looks ahead to 2026, what are your primary strategic goals for the region—particularly in terms of AI innovation, product ecosystem expansion, and strengthening HONOR’s retail and partner presence across the GCC?
As we look ahead to 2026, HONOR’s focus in the GCC is to push AI innovation forward, grow our product ecosystem, and strengthen our presence through retail and strategic partnerships. AI will continue to shape everything we do, and we plan to introduce even more on-device intelligence that makes our products faster, safer, and more intuitive, whether in photography, productivity, or real-time AI assistance.
This ambition goes hand in hand with an expanded ecosystem. Smartphones, tablets, laptops, wearables, and smart home devices will work even more seamlessly together through MagicOS, supported by HONOR’s own AI technologies. Creating a unified, intelligent experience across devices remains central to delivering real value to users in the region.
Retail growth will also play a significant role in bringing this ecosystem to life. Building on the success of the Dubai Mall Experience Store, we are developing additional flagship-style locations across the UAE, Oman, Qatar, and Bahrain. These physical touchpoints allow consumers to experience our technology firsthand and reinforce HONOR’s premium positioning throughout the GCC.
Our partnerships, especially with leading operators like e&, will also remain essential. As 5.5G adoption increases, these collaborations ensure that HONOR devices can unlock the full potential of next-generation networks and deliver the high-performance experiences users expect.
In the bigger picture, we aim to strengthen HONOR’s position in 2026 as the most trusted and human-centric technology brand in the GCC, bringing innovations that reflect the region’s ambition and support the fast-evolving digital lifestyles of its consumers.
Also Read: HONOR at GITEX 2025: Interview with Debo Zhang – General Manager, HONOR GCC
