HONOR announced on January 17, 2025, that director and CEO George Zhao Ming had resigned for “personal reasons” and that Jian Li would succeed him. Li is a former Huawei executive, not Huawei’s former chief executive. The appointment came as HONOR was preparing for a possible IPO, but the company did not say the transition changed its ownership or listing plans.
What happened at HONOR?
HONOR’s January 17, 2025 announcement said George Zhao, also commonly known as Zhao Ming, had resigned as director and CEO of Honor Device Co. Ltd. The company named Jian Li as his successor, thanked Zhao for his contributions, and said it would continue pursuing products and experiences for consumers worldwide. HONOR gave “personal reasons” as the explanation for his departure.
Who are Jian Li and George Zhao?
Jian Li, the incoming CEO
HONOR’s announcement confirms Li’s appointment but gives little biographical detail. A National Business Daily report says Li joined Huawei in 2001, held senior roles connected with wireless products, global sales, and overseas operations, and moved to HONOR in 2021. Other coverage describes him as a Huawei veteran. He was already part of HONOR’s management, so this was an internal succession rather than the arrival of a wholly external executive.
The phrase “ex-Huawei boss” is imprecise: the available reporting supports calling Li a former Huawei executive or senior manager, not Huawei’s former CEO.
#1 Best Overall
- Factory Unlocked (USA & Rest of the World), In USA Unlocked only for T-Mobile (GSM) and excluding Verizon, Sprint, US Cellular, No CDMA / Dual SIM (Nano-SIM slot 4FF, eSIM), Networks: 2G GSM, 3G, 4G LTE, 5G
- 6.71 inches, OLED, FHD+ 1256 x 2808, 1.07 billion colors
- 1TB Storage, 16GB RAM
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite (Gen 5) Mobile Platform, Adreno 840
- Bluetooth 6.0, Wi-Fi, NFC
George Zhao, the departing CEO
Zhao was HONOR’s public-facing leader as the company developed its identity after separating from Huawei. HONOR credited him with “outstanding contributions,” but its announcement did not provide performance figures or attribute specific products or business milestones to him personally.
Why the Huawei connection matters—and what it does not prove
Huawei sold HONOR in 2020 to a Shenzhen-backed consortium, after which HONOR positioned itself as an independent company, as described in Digi Economic’s account. Li’s career at Huawei makes his appointment symbolically notable, but a former employee leading HONOR is not evidence that Huawei reacquired the company or controls it. The sources documenting the appointment do not establish a change in ownership or a formal return to Huawei control.
Rank #2
- Network Compatibility Notice: This smartphone is not compatible with CDMA networks including Verizon, Sprint, and US Cellular. Please verify 3G, 4G/LTE, and 5G compatibility with your network provider before purchase. Supports Dual-SIM with GSM 850/900/1800/1900, HSDPA 850(B5)/900(B8)/1900(B2)/2100(B1), 4G LTE, and 5G SA/NSA/Sub6 bands
- Display Specifications: Features a large 6.78 inches AMOLED display with high resolution of 1224 x 2700 pixels, delivering vibrant colors and sharp visuals for an enhanced viewing experience
- Storage and Memory Configuration: Equipped with 256GB internal storage and 12GB RAM, providing ample space for apps, photos, videos, and smooth multitasking performance for demanding applications
- Operating System and Processor: Runs on Android 14 operating system powered by Qualcomm SM6450 Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset built on 4nm technology, featuring Octa-core processor with 4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 and 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores for efficient performance
- Camera System: Includes a high-resolution 108 MP rear camera with f/1.8 aperture, wide lens, 1/1.67 inch sensor, and PDAF technology, plus a 16 MP front camera with f/2.5 aperture and wide lens for quality photography and video calls
Because Li had experience inside both organizations, his promotion can reasonably be read as a continuity choice rather than a dramatic outside reset. That is an interpretation of the appointment, not a strategy HONOR stated.
How the change relates to HONOR’s possible IPO
HONOR’s leadership change occurred while the company was preparing for a possible IPO, according to South China Morning Post reporting syndicated by Yahoo Finance. That timing makes the succession relevant to investors, but HONOR’s announcement did not say the IPO caused Zhao’s resignation or that Li’s appointment changed the listing plan. The available reporting does not establish an effect on the timetable, valuation, listing venue, or ownership structure.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Rank #3
- Factory Unlocked Compatibility: USA & Rest of the World, In USA Unlocked only for T-Mobile (GSM) and excluding Verizon, Sprint, US Cellular, No CDMA / Dual SIM (Nano-SIM slot 4FF, eSIM), Networks: 2G GSM, 3G, 4G LTE, 5G
- Display Specifications: 6.71 inches, OLED, FHD+ 1256 x 2808, 1.07 billion colors
- Storage and Memory: 1TB Storage, 16GB RAM
- Processor and Graphics: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite (Gen 5) Mobile Platform, Adreno 840
- Connectivity Features: Bluetooth 6.0, Wi-Fi, NFC
A CEO transition during preparations for a public listing can create questions about continuity as well as reassure stakeholders when the successor already knows the business. Neither outcome is confirmed here. A separate report later described the departure of HONOR’s China-region chief marketing officer, Jiang Hairong, amid broader management reshuffling; that report is context, not proof of a crisis or a specific IPO outcome (Yahoo Finance).
What is known about Zhao’s reason for leaving?
The official explanation is “personal reasons.” Some outlets reported health concerns, including PhoneArena, but HONOR did not confirm a medical reason or disclose any specific health details. Nor do the sources establish that Zhao left because of IPO difficulties.
Rank #4
- For USA Buyers: This Smartphone is not compatible/will not work with any CDMA Networks including: VERIZON, SPRINT, US CELLULAR. Please check with your network provider for 3G or 4G/LTE compatibility check before you purchase.
- 6.79 inches, AMOLED, 1B colors, 1200 x 2640 pixels
- 256GB Storage, 8GB RAM
- Android 15, Magic OS 9, Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 (4 nm), Octa-core (1x2.3 GHz Cortex-A720s & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A720s & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A520s)
- Rear: 108 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), PDAF, 1/1.67", 1.0µm, OIS, 5 MP, f/2.2, 17mm (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm, Front: 16 MP, f/2.5, 24mm (wide)
Did the CEO change affect HONOR customers?
HONOR did not announce immediate changes to products, software policy, device support, warranties, Google Mobile Services, pricing, or compatibility as part of the leadership announcement. Those matters depend on product and market; they cannot be inferred from Li’s Huawei background. Buyers should check the terms and support information for the specific device and country rather than assume the appointment changed them.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the January 2025 change means
The confirmed event is a succession: Zhao resigned for personal reasons, and Jian Li, a former Huawei executive already working at HONOR, was appointed CEO. Its timing made the move notable for a company preparing for a possible IPO, but the available evidence does not show that it changed HONOR’s ownership, IPO plans, or customer-facing policies.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- For USA Buyers: This Smartphone is not compatible/will not work with any CDMA Networks including: VERIZON, SPRINT, US CELLULAR. Please check with your network provider for 3G or 4G/LTE compatibility check before you purchase.
- Dual-SIM, Network Compatibility, SIM CARD 1 AND 2 [2G : GSM 850/ 900/ 1800/ 1900and/or3G : HSDPA 850(B5) / 900(B8) / 1900(B2) / 2100(B1)and/or4G : LTE and/or5G : SA/NSA/Sub6]
- 6.78 inches, AMOLED, 1224 x 2700 pixels
- 256GB Storage, 12GB RAM
- Android 14, Qualcomm SM6450 Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4 nm), Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
