On April 13, 2026, news surfaced indicating that Honor is currently engaged in discussions with ByteDance about a potential partnership to create the 'Doubao Smartphone.' Sources close to the matter disclosed that ByteDance's initial outreach for this collaboration was directed at Honor, even before it partnered with ZTE to introduce the first-generation Doubao Smartphone. Nevertheless, Honor, leveraging its vast user base, approached the endeavor with caution, wary of the potential risks linked to system-level alterations. The Doubao Smartphone assistant necessitates significant modifications to the core mobile operating system and the authorization of broad permissions, at a juncture when the technical sophistication and reliability of these changes were still unproven. Honor and ByteDance have already forged a partnership in the realm of artificial intelligence (AI), sharing a unified strategic vision. Presently, smartphone manufacturers are intensifying their efforts to integrate AI capabilities into their devices. However, there are dissenting opinions within the industry, with some experts contending that AI-driven smartphones should prioritize resolving user challenges and enhancing the overall user experience.