Ahead of the official opening of MWC 2026 in Barcelona, Honor presented its long-term vision for artificial intelligence through a new device category: the Robot Phone. Positioned as more than a conventional smartphone, the product reflects the company’s transition from AI-assisted mobile experiences to what it describes as a fully embodied AI platform.
During the keynote, CEO James Li said the goal is to “give AI a body and a soul,” framing the Robot Phone as the next step after the previously announced Alpha Plan. This strategy also connects to the broader AHI (Augmented Human Intelligence) concept, developed in collaboration with industry partners to expand the role of AI beyond software features and into physical interaction.
The Robot Phone moves from last year’s conceptual stage to a commercial product scheduled for release in the second half of 2026. Its defining element is a motorized camera system with a miniature three-axis gimbal built into the phone. Honor claims this is the smallest gimbal motor ever integrated into a smartphone, thinner than a euro coin, enabling physical movement of the camera module for advanced stabilization and tracking.
This robotic mobility allows the device to automatically follow subjects using AI Object Tracking, maintaining framing for video without external accessories. The system targets use cases similar to dedicated handheld gimbal cameras, combining cinematic stabilization with autonomous motion. A dedicated Super Steady video mode further enhances recording stability.
To strengthen its imaging ambitions, Honor partnered with ARRI, marking the cinema company’s first involvement in a consumer product. The collaboration focuses on color science and future video capabilities that may extend beyond this device generation.
Honor presents the Robot Phone as an evolving platform rather than a finished concept, arguing that the key question for AI is no longer what it can do, but how it can physically interact with users’ daily lives.
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