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IOL News
5 hours ago
- Business
- IOL News
The HONOR 400 & 400 Pro Launch Underscores Impressive AI Investment, Local Inclusion, and Bold 2028 No. 1 Market Share Ambition
HONOR has introduced the new HONOR 400 and HONOR 400 Pro Image: Supplied Following strong uptake of its AI-powered innovations in South Africa, HONOR has introduced the new HONOR 400 and HONOR 400 Pro. This is a launch that could further entrench the brand's momentum in the local mid-to-premium market. Unveiled at Kyalami Racecourse, the event brought together government and industry voices, including Communications Minister, The Honorable Mr. Solly Malatsi, underscoring the growing alignment between mobile innovation and digital policy. The HONOR 400 & 400 Pro marks a notable shift in normalising access to premium technology. These devices bring high-end features into a more accessible range, including: The first global rollout of Google Cloud's Veo 2 Image-to-Video tool , built directly into the phone's gallery AI Deepfake Detection and on-device call translation to meet the privacy and productivity demands, which can detect whether the participant in a video call is using deepfake technology. HONOR's 50× AI SuperZoom , intelligent editing tools and the incredible 200MP main sensor A 6000mAh silicon-carbon battery , IP-rated build quality and MagicOS 9.0 across the range and a big storage of 12+512G. With hardware innovation backed by long-term AI investment, HONOR is further positioning itself as both a product leader and a strategic player in South Africa's mobile economy. Image: Supplied The HONOR 400 is powered by a Snapdragon, while the 400 Pro introduces Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 performance. Both devices are supported by Android updates and security patches, a rare commitment in this segment. The HONOR 400 Series is launched with a promotional offer: Buyers will receive R8000 worth of additional value in the form of the HONOR Choice Watch 2i, HONOR Choice Earbuds X7 Lite and an HONOR Choice Powerbank 10000mAh until 31 July 2025. Available from Vodacom, MTN, Telkom and Cell C, the HONOR 400 is priced from 12,999 and the HONOR 400 Pro from R17,999. With hardware innovation backed by long-term AI investment, HONOR is further positioning itself as both a product leader and a strategic player in South Africa's mobile economy. The HONOR 400 & 400 Pro marks a notable shift in normalising access to premium technology. These devices bring high-end features into a more accessible range. Image: Supplied
The South African
7 hours ago
- Business
- The South African
The HONOR 400 & 400 Pro Launch underscores impressive AI Investment, Local Inclusion, and Bold 2028 No.1 market share ambition
Following strong uptake of its AI-powered innovations in South Africa, HONOR has introduced the new HONOR 400 and HONOR 400 Pro. This is a launch that could further entrench the brand's momentum in the local mid-to-premium market. Unveiled at Kyalami Racecourse, the event brought together government and industry voices, including Communications Minister, The Honorable Mr. Solly Malatsi, underscoring the growing alignment between mobile innovation and digital policy. The HONOR 400 & 400 Pro marks a notable shift in normalising access to premium technology. These devices bring high-end features into a more accessible range, including: The first global rollout of Google Cloud's Veo 2 Image-to-Video tool , built directly into the phone's gallery , built directly into the phone's gallery AI Deepfake Detection and on-device call translation to meet the privacy and productivity demands, which can detect whether the participant in a video call is using deepfake technology. and to meet the privacy and productivity demands, which can detect whether the participant in a video call is using deepfake technology. HONOR's 50× AI SuperZoom , intelligent editing tools and the incredible 200MP main sensor , intelligent editing tools and the incredible 200MP main sensor A 6000mAh silicon-carbon battery, IP-rated build quality and MagicOS 9.0 across the range and a big storage of 12+512G. The HONOR 400 is powered by a Snapdragon, while the 400 Pro introduces Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 performance. Both devices are supported by Android updates and security patches, a rare commitment in this segment. The HONOR 400 Series is launched with a promotional offer: Buyers will receive R8000 worth of additional value in the form of the HONOR Choice Watch 2i, HONOR Choice Earbuds X7 Lite and an HONOR Choice Powerbank 10000mAh until 31 July 2025. Available from Vodacom, MTN, Telkom and Cell C, the HONOR 400 is priced from 12,999 and the HONOR 400 Pro from R17,999. With hardware innovation backed by long-term AI investment, HONOR is further positioning itself as both a product leader and a strategic player in South Africa's mobile economy.
The Citizen
7 hours ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Honor 400 & 400 Pro launch underscores impressive AI investment, local inclusion and bold 2028 market share ambition
The Honor 400 & 400 Pro bring high-end features into a more accessible range. The Honor 400 and Honor 400 Pro were launched at Kyalami Racecourse. Picture: Supplied/Honor South Africa Following strong uptake of its AI-powered innovations in South Africa, Honor has introduced the new Honor 400 and Honor 400 Pro. This is a launch that could further entrench the brand's momentum in the local mid-to-premium market. Unveiled at Kyalami Racecourse, the event brought together government and industry voices, including Communications Minister Solly Malatsi, underscoring the growing alignment between mobile innovation and digital policy. The Honor 400 & 400 Pro marks a notable shift in normalising access to premium technology. These devices bring high-end features into a more accessible range, including: The first global rollout of Google Cloud's Veo 2 Image-to-Video tool , built directly into the phone's gallery; , built directly into the phone's gallery; AI Deepfake Detection and on-device call translation to meet the privacy and productivity demands, which can detect whether the participant in a video call is using deepfake technology; and to meet the privacy and productivity demands, which can detect whether the participant in a video call is using deepfake technology; Honor's 50× AI SuperZoom , intelligent editing tools and the incredible 200MP main sensor; , intelligent editing tools and the incredible 200MP main sensor; A 6000mAh silicon-carbon battery, IP-rated build quality and MagicOS 9.0 across the range and a big storage of 12+512G. The Honor 400 is powered by a Snapdragon, while the 400 Pro introduces Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 performance. Both devices are supported by Android updates and security patches, a rare commitment in this segment. ALSO READ: See South Africa like never before: Honor 400 and Honor 400 Pro capture breathtaking views with AI SuperZoom camera The Honor 400 Series is launched with a promotional offer: Buyers will receive R8 000 worth of additional value in the form of the Honor Choice Watch 2i, Honor Choice Earbuds X7 Lite and an Honor Choice Powerbank 10000mAh until 31 July 2025. Available from Vodacom, MTN, Telkom and Cell C, the Honor 400 is priced from R12 999 and the Honor 400 Pro from R17 999. With hardware innovation backed by long-term AI investment, Honor is further positioning itself as both a product leader and a strategic player in South Africa's mobile economy. NOW READ: WhatsApp to get ads: Here's what you need to know
Daily Maverick
12 hours ago
- Daily Maverick
Fighting back — cellphone providers and business collaborate to combat EC hijacking hotspots
Following several meetings to discuss rampant truck hijackings in the metro and surrounding areas, the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber and South Africa's (SA's) two major cellphone network providers have joined forces to make the Addo Road — an Eastern Cape crime hotspot — safer. After a spike in truck hijackings on the Addo Road in Motherwell, businesses began looking for solutions. A common factor reported by truck drivers hijacked was the lack of cellphone signal, which prevented them from calling for help. While tracking systems work in the absence of cellphone networks, data is not always sent out timeously in low-network areas. Recently, construction manager Victor Ngcobo was kidnapped on the R335 near Monument Crossing — an area identified as having a particularly poor signal. He was later found unharmed. Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber CEO Denise van Huyssteen said discussions around the hijackings also revealed that poor cellphone reception was contributing to the area's status as a crime hotspot. 'We asked two cellular network provider companies to do an assessment of the cellphone coverage in the area. One of the two reverted back with a report which indicated that there was a lack of coverage in the area, and that infrastructure upgrades would be required to address this situation,' she said. Van Huyssteen said the chamber had also approached Google Maps as the Maps App indicated that the R335 was the 'shortest route' to take visitors and tourists to Addo Elephant National Park. 'It automatically takes users on the shortest route to Addo, which means that incoming visitors to the metro travel there along the R335. We rallied our members to go onto Google Maps and log the road as a high-risk road. This resulted in the route being blocked and travellers being re-routed along other more safer routes,' she added. Zakhele Jiyane, Managing Executive for Vodacom Eastern Cape region, confirmed that the organisation was approached by the business chamber to see if there was something Vodacom could do to fix the cellphone network in the area. 'Vodacom has successfully completed upgrades on 11 base station sites in Addo in Sarah Baartman District Municipality and along R335, connecting Addo to Motherwell. Among these upgrades, four sites have improved cellphone coverage specifically for the Addo CBD, local police station, farming community, and the new Addo Spar center. The remaining six sites extend coverage along R335 road. Coverage '10% improved' 'Following our upgrades, coverage has improved by an impressive 10%, particularly on the R335 road. Furthermore, the upgrades have significantly reduced areas without service, and the network capacity has increased by 15%. This means more users can stay connected for longer periods on the network. 'Critically, as part of our commitment to support both the Addo community and local businesses, we have plans to improve connectivity in the area in this financial year. 'For example, we are planning to deploy high-power signal boosters to cover the remaining section without service on R335, and we will do this within six months. Secondly, we are planning to deploy additional base stations to help achieve full coverage for the Addo CBD, police station and community during the 2025/2026 financial year,' Jiyane said. He said the Vodacom Eastern Cape region had invested more than R500-million over the last financial year on modernising the network, energy projects and accelerating broadband coverage across the province, particularly in townships and deep rural areas of the province. R1bn long-term investment This is an investment totalling over R1-billion over two years and forms part of Vodacom's long-term vision, to have the widest and most reliable network accessible to all South Africans, he said. MTN SA, in written responses, confirmed that they would conduct a drive test to verify signal strength and identify gaps. 'Currently, MTN has 4G deployment at this specific location. MTN did experience operational issues at this location at the end of March and the start of April 2025, however the issue has been resolved. While MTN confirms coverage at this location, a further drive test will be done to test the service performance in the area. This test will be concluded within the next few days,' the statement continued. DM
IOL News
2 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Vodacom CEO Shameel Joosub laughs all the way to the bank with R71 million pay package
Vodacom CEO Shameel Joosub is laughing all the way to the bank after earning R71.1 million in total remuneration for the 2025 financial year, Image: Simphiwe Mbokazi/Independent Newspapers Vodacom CEO Shameel Joosub is laughing all the way to the bank after earning R71.1 million in total remuneration for the 2025 financial year, reflecting a 15.2% increase driven by performance-based incentives and long-term share awards. This is according to Vodacom Group's annual report for the year ending 31 March 2025, which shows his pay included a guaranteed salary, short- and long-term incentives, and dividends. The report was published on Friday. However, Vodacom also noted that his post-tax remuneration was estimated at R39.1 million, based on a 45% tax rate applied to the total package. The report shows Joosub received R18.4 million in guaranteed pay for the 2025 financial year. His long-term incentives included R20.7 million from Vodacom's conditional share plan and R4.4 million in Vodafone shares, with an additional R253,000 from vested Siyanda units. Vodacom noted that Joosub's long-term incentive awards reflect his significant shareholding in the company, which exceeds the required minimum threshold. "The CEO's LTI awards remain very competitive, noting that his current award eligibility reflects his substantial co-investment in Vodacom shares since his appointment as CEO. He currently holds in excess of his 300% shareholding requirement," Vodacom said. Meanwhile, the company's Chief Financial Officer Raisibe Morathi earned a total remuneration of R31.4 million for the year. Morathi's package included R11.3 million in guaranteed pay, R8.9 million in short-term incentives, and R9.4 million in long-term incentives. She also received R1.5 million in dividends and R248,000 from vested Siyanda units. [email protected] IOL Business Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel
