What is an AI Phone?
An AI phone (artificial intelligence phone) is a smartphone that utilizes artificial intelligence technologies to enhance the user experience. It features smart assistants, improved camera capabilities, personalized content recommendations, optimized battery management, advanced security measures, and more, making it intuitive and responsive to user needs.
Evolution of AI in Smartphones
Artificial intelligence in phones has evolved significantly over the past decade. From 2017 to 2022, traditional AI in mobile phones laid the foundation with features like battery optimization, camera scene detection, and voice-activated assistants. These advancements allowed phones to adapt to user habits, improve power efficiency, and enhance photo quality automatically.
Since 2023, generative AI in phones has taken centre stage, introducing capabilities like text-to-image generation, AI-powered photo editing, real-time translation, instant content summaries, etc. This shift has turned smartphones into creative powerhouses, enabling users to produce professional-grade content easily.
Core Features of AI Smartphones
With the above AI introduction in mind, let's dive deep into the functions that distinguish artificial intelligence cell phones from regular ones:
Traditional AI Functions in Phones
From enhancing performance to improving photography and extending battery life, traditional AI applications have become foundational to the smartphone experience.
AI Chips & Smart Optimization
AI chips, powered by dedicated Neural Processing Units (NPUs), are the backbone of modern smartphones. Like how the human brain processes information, these chips handle complex computations for tasks like app behaviour analysis, resource allocation, and predictive processing.
By analysing usage patterns, AI chips optimize CPU, GPU, and memory usage to ensure smooth performance, even during demanding gaming or video editing tasks. For example, the HONOR Magic7 Pro's Snapdragon® 8 Elite Mobile Platform delivers over 7 TOPS (trillion operations per second), enabling seamless multitasking and AI-driven features with minimal power consumption.
AI Photography & Scene Recognition
AI photography elevates smartphone imaging by automatically adjusting settings like exposure, focus, and white balance based on real-time scene analysis. Key capabilities include:
Adaptive Battery & System Management
AI-driven battery management extends device longevity by predicting usage patterns and optimizing power allocation. By analysing when and how you use apps, AI prioritizes power-hungry processes and adjusts charging cycles to preserve battery health. The HONOR Magic7 Pro's E2 power-enhanced chip supports "Smart Charge", which slows charging to minimize battery wear, ensuring long-term health.
AI in mobile phones also optimizes system performance by decluttering memory, closing unused apps, and predicting resource needs. This ensures your phone remains fast and responsive, even after months of use. The HONOR MagicOS, for example, uses AI to streamline system operations, reducing boot times and improving app launch speeds.
Smart Assistant & Accessibility
AI-powered mobile assistants go beyond basic voice commands, offering context-aware interactions and accessibility features. These assistants can process natural language, understand location-based triggers, and execute multistep tasks. For accessibility, it offers real-time captions, voice control, gesture navigation, and image descriptions, enhancing usability for users with visual, hearing, or motor impairments and making smartphones more inclusive.
Master AI speech recognition with our ultimate guide.
Privacy & Security
AI on the phone boosts security by monitoring apps, detecting anomalies, and processing sensitive data locally. Features like AI face unlocking using 3D mapping for secure access, while on-device processing protects privacy. The HONOR Magic6 Pro's Discrete Security Chip S1 and dual-TEE safeguard passwords, biometrics, and transactions.
Explore how AI enhances smartphone security in our detailed blog guide.
Generative AI Functions in Phones
Generative AI phones take the intelligence of smartphones to another level by creating new content, such as text, images, or music, based on learned patterns and user inputs.
AI Image & Video Editing
Generative AI smartphones revolutionize photo editing by enabling creative tools that require no technical expertise. Key capabilities include:
Smart Content Creation Tools
Generative AI streamlines productivity with advanced text-processing features:
Creative Enhancement
Generative AI empowers users to express creativity through:
See how AI is transforming your phone into the ultimate entertainment hub!
How Does AI in Phones Help With Work and Life?
With the core features, phones with AI can enhance efficiency and user satisfaction in the following ways:
Explore further "How AI phones transform our daily life?" in our dedicated blog.
How to Choose an AI Mobile?
Having understood how AI mobile phones help us in life, it is of great necessity to learn how to select the perfect model for you. Here's how to make an informed choice without getting lost in the specs.
Do you love taking photos and editing them on the go? Do you need a digital assistant for work and note-taking? Or are you a heavy content consumer who wants smarter entertainment suggestions? Understanding your key priorities, be they photography, productivity, creativity, or convenience, will help you choose a phone with the right AI strengths.
Phones with on-device AI can process tasks like voice recognition, image enhancement, and real-time translation locally, meaning faster performance, stronger privacy, and offline access. This is especially useful when travelling or in areas with weak connectivity.
AI features thrive on strong hardware. Look for phones with AI-optimized processors, ideally from recent chipsets like Qualcomm Snapdragon series. Aim for at least 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage for smooth multitasking and AI functionality, especially if you plan to store lots of high-res photos, videos, or AI-edited content.
If photography is a big part of your mobile life, consider AI tools in the camera app. Look for features like AI Portrait enhancement, smart object removal, scene recognition, and super-resolution zoom. These make it easy to capture stunning photos without professional editing skills, perfect for social media, creative projects, or simply preserving memories.
AI can be powerful but also power-hungry. Choose a phone with AI-powered battery management that adapts to your usage patterns, intelligently extending battery life. Battery optimization becomes even more crucial if you're using features like real-time voice translation or high-performance editing.
AI phones now come in a wide range of prices. Define your budget early, and look out for great value promotions or bundles. Many mid-range phones now include robust AI capabilities, making it possible to get a "smart assistant" in your pocket without overspending.
HONOR AI Phones
HONOR's AI phones exemplify our commitment to integrating advanced artificial intelligence into mobile technology. These devices feature AI-enhanced photography capabilities, such as the HONOR AI Portrait Engine and AI Motion Sensing Capture, delivering professional-grade images and videos. The Magic7 Pro introduces AI Super Zoom and AI Deepfake Detection, enhancing creative expression and security.
Across the lineup, AI-driven features like adaptive battery management, real-time translation, and personalized assistants contribute to a seamless and intelligent user experience. HONOR's dedication to AI innovation ensures that our users benefit from devices that are powerful and intuitively responsive to their needs.
Smart AI Ecosystem in HONOR Phones
From understanding your daily habits to enhancing photos and enabling seamless cross-device collaboration, the HONOR AI system is designed to make every moment smarter, faster, and easier.
HONOR AI Technology
At the heart of HONOR's intelligent experience lies its unique approach to AI, designed to intuitively understand user behaviour and deliver real-time assistance. Two standout innovations are:
HONOR Magic Portal
With HONOR Magic Portal, a simple knock with your knuckle turns into smart action. For example, if your friend texts you a restaurant address, circle it with your knuckle, and HONOR will instantly suggest opening your taxi app on the same screen: no app switching, no copy-pasting, just effortless flow.
HONOR AI Agent
Taking things further, the HONOR AI Agent acts as your personal assistant powered by on-device large models. Planning your day? Just ask, and it can remind you about your next meeting, draft a quick message, or even book a restaurant. Over time, it learns your preferences, when to offer help, what you usually need at certain times, and quietly becomes the smartest companion in your pocket.
Performance of HONOR AI Application
But HONOR's AI capabilities don't stop at assistance. They extend into everyday creativity and productivity, powered by deep learning models and optimized hardware for seamless performance.
HONOR AI Image
Whether you're capturing memories or editing moments, HONOR's AI Image turns your camera into a powerful creative suite.
Picture yourself at a concert, trying to snap a close-up from far away—just zoom in, and the AI RAW Large Model keeps it crisp and clear up to 30x. Now imagine you're sightseeing, thanks to the Telephoto Enhancement Model, you can zoom up to 100x and still see details like rooftop textures or distant signs. It's like having AI-powered binoculars that fit in your palm.
Selfies should shine, and HONOR's portrait AI makes sure they do. With training on millions of pro lighting samples, it enhances your photos by subtly refining skin texture, lighting, and mood. Whether a quick selfie or a full glam shot, your phone becomes your photo studio.
Image editing made simple, powerful, and fun:
Took the perfect shot, but someone happened to walk into the background. Just circle them and watch as they disappear.
Extend the photo's edges and let AI fill in the rest with natural balance.
Want to share just you? Tap to lift yourself out of the photo, which is great for stickers or creative edits.
Got an old or blurry photo? One tap brings it back in sharp, high-res detail.
HONOR AI Office
HONOR AI isn't just about visuals; it's also a productivity powerhouse, especially when you're on the move or in meetings.
When you're travelling abroad, just speak into your phone, HONOR AI instantly translates. It's like having a multilingual assistant at your side, ready to help you understand the world.
With AI Transcribe, your phone recognizes who's speaking and records everything accurately at a meeting. Tap once, and AI Minutes gives you a clean summary. Need to organize it? AI Format turns your notes into a tidy, readable document.
HONOR AI Privacy
HONOR's AI Deepfake Detection helps you identify fake visuals, especially during video calls, so you can trust what you see and stay protected from digital deception.
HONOR AI Connect
The power of AI truly shines when your devices work together like one. HONOR AI Connect is built for a world where multitasking happens across screens.
Tablet or laptop offline? Your phone notices and suggests a connection before you even think about it.
Need to insert a photo into your laptop notes? Snap it on your phone, and it appears instantly. You can even share a second angle during video calls for a more dynamic view.
Low on screen space? Just drag your app across nearby devices and turn them into one big workstation.
Want to grab a photo from your phone while working on your laptop? Just drag it over. There are no cables or delays, just seamless sharing like magic.
Choose HONOR Phone to Experience HONOR AI
The Future of AI Phones
In summary, AI phones are reshaping how we interact with technology, offering faster, more personalized experiences, smarter assistance, and seamless connectivity. As advanced chips and 5G power their growth, we can expect AI phones to become even more intuitive, eco-conscious, and essential in our everyday lives.
FAQ
What is the best AI phone in 2025?
What is an AI camera for?
What is the cheapest AI phone?
What is the future of AI in mobile phones?
How do I use AI on my smartphone?
You can use AI on your smartphone through built-in features and apps that enhance daily tasks. Here's how:
Use the AI Camera to auto-detect scenes, optimize lighting, and apply filters. Try features like AI Eraser, Bokeh Adjust, and Instant Movie for creative edits.
Activate voice assistants like HONOR’s AI Assistant or Google Assistant for hands-free commands, reminders, translations, and search.
Use AI Note to convert voice into structured meeting summaries.
Benefit from gesture controls and AI app prediction for smoother navigation.