Honor has officially entered the competitive gaming smartphone arena with the announcement of its new WIN series. Positioned as a "flagship gaming" line, the series promises top-tier performance, innovative cooling, and exceptional battery life, aiming to be a dedicated tool for mobile gamers. The first devices are confirmed to launch in China before the end of the month, marking a significant strategic expansion for the brand.
The Official Unveiling and Core Philosophy
On December 16, 2025, Honor held a media communication event in Beijing to formally introduce the WIN series. The company is positioning its first product as the "annual gaming powerhouse," emphasizing three core pillars: ultimate performance, superior battery life, and advanced thermal management. According to Zhang Ze, the WIN series product manager, the development process involved extensive feedback from over 1,300 gamers, including professional esports athletes from teams like Chengdu AG, to address real-world user pain points in competitive mobile gaming.
Performance and Hardware Expectations
The centerpiece of the WIN series' promise is its performance. Honor has confirmed that the new phones will be equipped with the "strongest flagship chipset," though the specific model (likely a top-tier Snapdragon or Dimensity processor) was not named. This will be paired with Honor's proprietary deep-tuning technology to deliver what the company calls "full-level performance." Early reports and teasers suggest the devices will feature a distinctive design with a large rectangular camera module on the back, prominently showcasing an illuminated "WIN" logo. The phones are also rumored to incorporate an active cooling fan within that module to maintain peak performance during extended gaming sessions.
Key Specifications & Features (Based on Announcements & Leaks):
- Chipset: Confirmed "strongest flagship chip" (model unspecified).
- Battery: "Super-large capacity"; rumors point to a potential 10,000mAh variant.
- Cooling: Advanced thermal system with rumored active cooling fan.
- Design: Flat screen, flat metal frame, illuminated "WIN" logo on camera module.
- Colors: Expected in Black, Blue, and Cyan.
- Special Feature: Dedicated AI button (carried over from Magic 8 series).
- Launch Region: China (initially).
- Availability: Pre-orders open; full launch in December 2025.
Battery and Endurance Focus
Beyond raw power, endurance is a key selling point. Honor has highlighted that the WIN series will feature a "super-large capacity battery" optimized through software and hardware synergy for "super-long battery life." While not officially confirmed at the communication event, prior leaks have suggested that one model in the series could be equipped with a massive 10,000mAh battery. If true, this would place it among the highest-capacity batteries in the smartphone market, directly targeting gamers' needs for uninterrupted play.
Design and User Experience
From a design perspective, the WIN series adopts a gamer-friendly aesthetic and form factor. Official teasers reveal a flat-screen display paired with a flat metal frame, a design choice favored by many gamers for its precise handling and comfort during long sessions. The series is expected to launch in multiple color options, including black, blue, and cyan. Furthermore, the new phones will inherit the dedicated AI button first seen on the Magic 8 series, with potential for game-specific AI functionalities to enhance the gaming experience.
Market Positioning and Availability
The announcement confirms that Honor's previously rumored GT lineup is being rebranded as the WIN series, solidifying its identity as a dedicated gaming sub-brand. Pre-orders for the series are already open in China, with a full launch scheduled for sometime in December 2025. By launching just before the end of the year, Honor is strategically positioning the WIN series to capture the attention of gamers looking for upgrade options during the holiday season. The company's collaboration with professional esports figures for testing and promotion underscores its serious intent to compete in the high-performance gaming phone segment.