PlanRadar, a leading platform for digital documentation, communication and reporting in construction and real estate projects, has highlighted key project delivery risks facing construction teams as activity across the UAE continues to grow.

PlanRadar’s Construction Survey Report 2026: Managing Project Changes in the Age of AI surveyed 1,728 construction professionals responsible for on-time and on-budget delivery across 14 countries in Europe, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific, including the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The findings were also explored in PlanRadar’s webinar, Managing Mid-Project Changes in the Age of AI.

The research comes as UAE construction output is projected to reach US$130.8 billion by 2029, up from a record US$107.2 billion in 2024, according to Knight Frank. As project volumes and stakeholder complexity increase, the ability to manage changes, approvals and project records efficiently will remain central to delivery performance.

One of the clearest concerns identified in PlanRadar’s research is the impact of delayed approvals and slow responses. These were the most common pain points reported in the management of mid-project changes, including RFIs, change orders and variation requests. Nearly three-quarters of respondents said approvals are often received after agreed timeframes, while one in four estimated that delayed approvals typically add more than a month to project timelines.

Among teams where approvals are almost always late, month-long project delays were more than twice as likely as among those where late approvals are rare.

Ibrahim Imam, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of PlanRadar, said: “In a market delivering projects at the UAE’s current pace, small delays in decision-making can quickly become much larger delivery problems. Going into 2027, companies need clearer ownership, predefined approval routes and faster access to the information decision-makers need. The aim is not to eliminate change—change is inevitable—but to ensure every change is visible, traceable and acted on before it affects programme or cost.”

PlanRadar’s findings also show the financial impact of unmanaged changes. Two in three respondents said that mid-project changes lead to budget overruns in many or most of their projects. However, the research indicates that stronger process control can improve outcomes: four in five respondents using a central digital tool to track changes reported an improved ability to control costs or protect project margins.

Information fragmentation is another challenge. Nearly eight in ten respondents said that at least half of their project documentation is spread across unconsolidated channels, including emails, messages, phone calls and verbal instructions. Among those who could easily locate documentation, 70% felt confident that their records clearly showed responsibility for delays and cost impacts—double the proportion among those who found documentation difficult to locate.

Administrative workload compounds these pressures. Nearly half of respondents reported spending 11 or more hours each week on administrative tasks. Among those using a central digital tool with integrated AI functionality, two in three said they save at least two hours per week, per project, on administration and coordination.

Andrey Belogortsev, Regional Manager for MENA and APAC at PlanRadar, said: “The immediate opportunity for construction teams is to build reliable, connected workflows around the information already being generated on site. When changes, approvals and supporting evidence are captured in one accessible record, teams can identify issues earlier, engage the right people faster and maintain accountability throughout the project lifecycle.”

“AI can add real value when it is applied to repetitive, time-consuming work within those controlled workflows. It should support professional judgement—not replace it—by giving project teams more time to focus on decisions, risks and exceptions that require their expertise.”

The survey found that 58% of respondents believe AI can reduce workload across their biggest day-to-day challenges, while 65% believe it can streamline major administrative tasks.

Building on this need, PlanRadar has introduced AI Agents, allowing customers to create agents in plain language or use ready-made options to complete defined actions. Each action is logged, attributed and limited to the permissions of the user who created the agent, enabling teams to automate routine work while retaining oversight and control.

HONOR, a global AI device ecosystem company, today announced the opening of pre-orders for the HONOR X9e Pro, the first Pro model in the HONOR X Series and the latest evolution of a lineup known for pushing the boundaries of smartphone durability.

Building on the X Series’ reputation for resilience, the HONOR X9e Pro introduces major upgrades across durability, battery life, display performance and imaging capabilities, alongside intelligent AI features designed to enhance everyday experiences. Built for users with active lifestyles, the device is engineered to deliver dependable performance across demanding environments.

As part of the announcement, Dubai’s iconic Burj Khalifa will also be illuminated with the HONOR X9e Pro, placing a focused spotlight on the phone’s battery capacity, juxtaposing the largest battery in a smartphone with the tallest building in the world. Additionally, this lighting also marks HONOR’s official return to the Burj Khalifa after five years, the last used to showcase the HONOR Magic3 in 2021.

Pro Quality: Built to Go Further

Durability remains at the heart of the X Series, and the HONOR X9e Pro raises the bar with comprehensive protection. The device is engineered to withstand drops from heights of up to 3 metres, supported by a new 360-degree shock-absorbing architecture designed to help minimise impact damage across different angles and surfaces.

The smartphone has earned the SGS Premium Performance 5-Star Drop Resistance Certification¹ and features IP69K water resistance, including tested immersion scenarios of up to 10 metres. It is also designed to withstand hot-water splashes of up to 85°C, providing added confidence in challenging conditions.

Pro Battery: Industry’s largest 11,000mAh battery

The HONOR X9e Pro is powered by the industry’s largest 11,000mAh battery, delivering up to three days of use under a defined mixed-usage scenario.

Supporting the high-capacity battery is 80W HONOR SuperCharge, while 27W wired reverse charging enables users to power compatible devices and accessories when needed. Combined with intelligent power management, the battery is designed to provide dependable long-term performance for users who spend extended periods away from a charger.

One of the key advantages of the HONOR X9e Pro is its long-term battery durability. Beyond its high-capacity 11,000mAh battery, the device is designed to maintain powerful battery performance for up to 6 years, offering users greater confidence in its long-term reliability.

This level of battery longevity is uncommon in the smartphone market, making HONOR X9e Pro a compelling choice for users looking for dependable performance over the years.

Pro Display: 10,000 nits Display

The HONOR X9e Pro features a 6.8-inch4 1.5K display with a refresh rate of up to 120Hz for smooth and immersive viewing.

With peak brightness of up to 10,000 nits and a hardware-level 1-nit ultra-dark mode, the display is designed one of the brightest in the industry and to remain comfortable and visible in both bright outdoor environments and low-light settings. HONOR’s suite of eye-comfort technologies, together with intelligent touch recognition for wet hands and gloves, further enhances everyday usability.

Pro Imaging and AI Experiences

Equipped with a 108MP Ultra-Clear Main Camera, the HONOR X9e Pro is designed to capture detailed photos across a wide range of scenarios. CIPA 6.0-level stabilisation, combining OIS and EIS technologies, helps users achieve clearer results while on the move, while intelligent underwater colour correction enhances image quality when shooting underwater.

The device also introduces a range of AI-powered features, including AI FreeGrip for easier one-handed use, adaptive left- and right-hand recognition, Google Gemini integration, and Creative Editor 2.0 for enhanced content creation and editing including AI Image to Video.

The feature can transform a still image into a dynamic video, adding movement and bringing static moments to life, making it easier for users to create engaging visual content directly from their phone.

Price and Availability

The HONOR X9e Pro will be available in Deep Purple, Reddish Brown, Dawn Gold and Midnight Black.

Customers purchasing the HONOR X9e Pro, will also be able to enter a lucky draw which will give them a chance to win the award-winning HONOR Robot Phone. The HONOR Robot Phone, one of HONOR’s latest innovations, was recently selected as one of TIME’s The Best Inventions of 2026, recognizing the device for its innovative approach to smartphone design, AI interaction and mobile photography. The HONOR Robot Phone brings a new dimension to smartphone photography by combining a robotics-inspired camera system with AI-powered interaction. Rather than keeping the camera fixed in place, the device features a 360-degree rotating gimbal that can move from the rear of the phone and follow subjects as they move, opening up new possibilities for capturing photos and videos. It truly reflects a change in smartphone design and recognizes the true integration of AI in software and physical hardware, bringing together robotics and AI for a more intuitive device.

Starting 22^nd of October 2026, customers in the UAE can pre-order the HONOR X9e Pro through the HONOR official online store and participating retail partners for a starting price of AED 1,499. During the pre-order period, customers will receive HONOR VIP Care+, which includes HONOR Care 12-month Damage Protection, worth AED 199, HONOR Care 24-month battery guarantee, worth AED 99 and an HONOR Watch X5 Play worth AED 199. Additionally, the phones also come with warranty across India, Pakistan, Egypt and GCC, which is worth an additional AED 149, bringing the total additional value to AED 646.

The HONOR X9e Pro will officially go on sale from 30^th of October 2026. Across both pre-order and open sale phase, existing HONOR X9 series users will also receive an additional HONOR Care 24-month warranty, valued at AED 99.

StarLink, an Infinigate Group company, a leader in the MEA distribution space as a Trusted Digital Advisor announced expansion of their IBM distribution footprint into the Levant (Jordan, Lebanon and Palestine), extending the success of an already established collaboration across key markets in Levant.

As organizations across the Levant accelerate digital transformation, modernize applications and infrastructure, and explore enterprise AI, this expansion will enable local partners to access IBM’s technology portfolio of AI, automation, data, application integration, observability, storage and hybrid infrastructure technologies alongside StarLink’s dedicated regional sales and technical expertise.

Bringing IBM innovation closer to Levant customers

IBM’s high-growth technology portfolio spans Data and Agentic AI, Automation, Application Integration, HashiCorp, Observability, Storage and Hybrid Infrastructure. These technologies can help organizations address some of their most pressing digital priorities – from modernizing applications and automating IT operations to strengthening cyber resilience, optimizing infrastructure and accelerating the adoption of AI.

The portfolio presents significant opportunities across key industries in the Levant, including government and public sector, financial services, telecommunications, energy, utilities and large enterprises.

By offering these capabilities to local partners and customers, StarLink aims to help organizations build more agile, intelligent and resilient digital environments.

A Partner-first model built for growth

StarLink’s channel execution capabilities and deep regional partner relationships are a differentiator alongside their dedicated IBM-focused engine to support partners across Software, Hardware and Services while providing access to dedicated technical expertise, professional services, training and marketing investments. This model is designed to give partners the resources and expertise they need to identify new opportunities, develop customized solutions and accelerate customer engagements.

“The expansion of our IBM distribution footprint into the Levant is a natural progression of our successful relationship,” said Ahmed Diab, COO, StarLink. “The Levant presents a significant growth opportunity as organizations accelerate their adoption of AI, automation, application modernization, and hybrid infrastructure. IBM’s strong integration across AI, applications, data, automation, infrastructure, and observability also aligns exceptionally well with StarLink’s broader technology portfolio. By bringing these capabilities together, we can help our partners address evolving enterprise needs with a more integrated technology strategy. We are confident this expansion will unlock new opportunities, strengthen our partner ecosystem, and generate a strong pipeline for the Levant.”

StarLink will focus on building the foundations for long-term growth across the Levant channel community with partner recruitment and onboarding, IBM portfolio enablement, supported by sales and technical training.