Five years ago, HONOR was rebuilding itself in Malaysia after a turbulent global period. Today, the brand is celebrating its 5th anniversary as Malaysia’s No.1 smartphone and tablet brand by market share in Q4 2025. Instead of spotlighting devices, HONOR is putting its consumers and community front and centre.
At the HONOR of Malaysia 5th Anniversary Gala in Kuala Lumpur, the company recognised loyal users, beta testers, creators, educators, and everyday Malaysians who shaped HONOR’s rise, while announcing two long-term initiatives:
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the HONOR of Malaysia Awards (CSR project)
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a National Photography Tour tied to Visit Malaysia 2026
This signals a shift from pure product marketing to brand citizenship.
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Table of Contents
Market Leadership: What “No.1” Actually Means
HONOR confirmed it achieved the No. 1 position in smartphone and tablet sales in Q4 2025, a milestone that caps a rapid five-year growth trajectory.
According to Justin Li, President of HONOR South Pacific, the brand’s success came from staying consumer-centric, claiming HONOR compressed “a decade’s worth of progress into five years.”
This isn’t just about shipping units. HONOR’s rise aligns with:
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Aggressive value-for-money hardware
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Heavy focus on durability (X-series positioning)
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Close engagement with local beta users, photographers, and students
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Pricing strategies that undercut Samsung and Apple while over-delivering on specs
In short: HONOR won by listening harder than competitors, not by outspending them.
Turning Users into Stakeholders
A key highlight of the gala was the recognition of real consumers and contributors across eight award categories, including “Super Supporter,” “Beta Excellence,” and “Photographer of the Year.”
Unlike typical influencer-heavy events, this initiative highlights:
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Long-term users
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Stress-testers who pushed devices to extremes
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Educators and students contributing feedback
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Creators shaping imaging and design decisions
HONOR openly acknowledged that many of its durability and stability claims were co-created through real-world Malaysian use, not just lab testing.
CSR Launch: HONOR of Malaysia Awards Project
Beyond brand celebration, HONOR announced a long-term CSR initiative — the HONOR of Malaysia Awards Project — aimed at recognising ordinary Malaysians doing extraordinary work.
The project was officiated by:
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Teo Nie Ching, Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital
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Justin Li, President of HONOR South Pacific
First HONOR of Malaysia Award recipients:
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Mohd Adli Yahya — Founder of the Autism Cafe Project, supporting over 100 autistic individuals
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Cikgu Prakash (Prakash Surriyamurthy) — A visually impaired tuition teacher commuting daily to teach Bahasa Melayu & Sejarah
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Mak Jah (Siti Normala Adrus) — Food stall operator providing RM3 nasi campur and free meals to students
National Photography Tour & Global Exhibition (2026)
In support of Visit Malaysia 2026, HONOR announced a National Photography Tour designed to:
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Showcase Malaysian landscapes, culture, and everyday stories
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Empower mobile photographers nationwide
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Run workshops and on-ground shooting activities
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Feature selected works at the HONOR Global Exhibition 2026
Recruitment will open soon via HONOR Malaysia’s official Facebook page.
Why this matters
HONOR has been aggressively pushing mobile photography leadership (200MP sensors, night telephoto, AI imaging). This tour doubles as:
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A talent development platform
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A national branding effort
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A soft-power marketing strategy tied to tourism
Why This Resonates with Malaysians
HONOR’s anniversary message lands well locally because:
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Malaysians are value-driven, not brand-loyal by default
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Durability, battery life, and camera reliability matter more than prestige
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Community recognition feels more authentic than celebrity endorsements
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CSR tied to real people builds long-term trust
HONOR is positioning itself not as a “China brand” or “budget alternative,” but as Pilihan Utama Rakyat Malaysia - a label earned through proximity to users.
What We Think
HONOR’s 5th anniversary is more than just a celebration; it’s a strategic pivot.
By crediting consumers, recognising grassroots contributors, launching meaningful CSR, and tying photography to national identity, HONOR is evolving from a fast-growing smartphone brand into a culturally embedded tech player in Malaysia.
Market leadership can be temporary, but community trust lasts longer.
And HONOR is clearly betting on the latter.
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