The Honor Robot Phone has arrived, captivating tech enthusiasts with its innovative features and robust performance. With a unique design that incorporates robotics and artificial intelligence, it positions itself as a game-changer in the smartphone market. As the excitement builds, we invite you to share your thoughts on whether you would consider making this cutting-edge device a part of your tech collection.
After months of teasers and red carpet unveilings, the
The robot-like arm that acts as the gimbal on this device (and gives it its name) feels like the end-stage of popup-camera evolution. It provides stabilization on the move and, if you put the phone on a tripod, it can track objects better than any phone on the market. Additionally, it can even look forward for selfies and vlog-style videos.
Honor Robot Phone's gimbal in action
This teensy gimbal – weighing only 2.6g and about 65% smaller than the gimbals on the DJI Osmo Pocket cameras – pairs with a surprisingly powerful camera module. With a large 200MP sensor (1/1.28”) and a bright f/1.6 aperture, this device offers impressive photography. Even when the gimbal is retracted, the camera shines with the craftsmanship from Arri, a name synonymous with Hollywood cameras. Once the gimbal extends, the Robot Phone truly distinguishes itself from the competition.
Honor and Arri collaborated on adding creative shooting options like 180° pans. Furthermore, this device boasts an AI component — specifically, an AI robot. It utilizes the gimbal as its “head,” enabling it to look around, engage in conversation, dance, and express emotions (displayed on-screen). The experience is powered by the YoYo assistant, which offers a more interactive and lifelike feel compared to typical AI assistants.
The gimbal gives the Honor Robot Phone a lot of personality
Returning to the cameras, another 200MP sensor is onboard, with a larger 1/1.4” sensor supporting a 2.7x periscope lens. A 50MP ultra-wide camera with a 122° autofocus-enabled lens is also included. For occasions where the gimbal isn’t necessary, a built-in 50MP selfie camera allows for convenient self-portraits.
The Honor Robot Phone features a 6.31” display, but it's larger than your average smartphone, measuring 9.6mm thick (gimbal folded) and weighing 248g. The device is powered by a massive 7,060mAh battery that supports fast 120W wired and 50W wireless charging, contributing to its increased heft.
Built as a flagship device, it includes a 120Hz LTPO OLED display and a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset. Rated IP54, it’s suitable for everyday use but might not hold up in heavy rain during video shoots.
For those interested in more in-depth coverage, don’t miss our hands-on review. Presently, the device is only available in China, retailing for CNY 10,000 ($1,480) for the 12GB/512GB version, while the 16GB/1TB variant is available for CNY 13,000 ($1,930). For perspective, a 12/512GB Honor Magic V6 foldable also retails for CNY 10,000, highlighting that cutting-edge technology rarely comes cheap.
So, would you buy the Honor Robot Phone if given the opportunity? Is it the camera capabilities, the intriguing AI features, or simply your love for innovative technology that drives your interest? We’d love to hear your opinions!
