When the Chinese smartphone manufacturer Honor initially introduced the concept of its Robot Phone last year, I found it to be too far-fetched to be genuine and too remarkable to be plausible. The device they proposed was situated at the intersection of my interests in robotics and innovative phone design.
Even after witnessing a mockup of the phone featuring its retractable camera gimbal at CES in January, followed by an early working demonstration at MWC in February, I remained doubtful that it would actually be available for purchase. Throughout my more than ten years as a technology journalist, I have observed numerous intriguing concepts fail to materialize at the final stage. I consistently advocate for more exciting technology, so I sincerely hoped that the Robot Phone would not be among those that falter.
On Wednesday, in Guangzhou, China, I was delighted to discover that Honor had definitively proven me wrong. During the launch event for the Robot Phone, I had the opportunity to interact with the final version of the device, which is set to be released in China shortly, priced at 9,999 yuan ($1,483) for the model with 12GB of RAM and 12,999 yuan ($1,923) for the 16GB variant.
In the era of artificial intelligence, not every smartphone should merely be regarded as “another black slab,” stated Honor CEO James Li during the company’s launch event. With Honor’s increasing proficiency in robotics, including the development of a humanoid robot, the company sought to integrate its advancements in the rapidly evolving domain of embodied AI with its smartphones.
At first glance, the Robot Phone may appear to be just another Android device, available in silver and grey with a 6.3-inch OLED display. However, the true innovation is revealed when you flip it over.
Unlike conventional smartphones that feature a camera bump on the back, the Robot Phone’s protruding module opens up to unveil a camera system mounted on a three-axis gimbal, which extends on a robotic arm. This design represents a significant shift from any smartphone I have previously encountered, incorporating technology that necessitates more than a brief period of experimentation to fully master. Nevertheless, I was eager to explore its capabilities.
Experiencing the Robot Phone
Prior to the event, I utilized the phone’s integrated Yoyo AI voice assistant to order a boba tea from a nearby shop to my hotel in Shenzhen. I simply instructed Yoyo regarding my order, and it accessed the app, placed the order, and completed the payment on my behalf. Within 20 minutes, I was enjoying my boba while continuing to experiment with the phone.
Equipped with Qualcomm’s premier Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, the Robot Phone is well-equipped to manage the AI tasks you present to it. Additionally, it is commendable to see Honor leverage the chip’s capabilities to introduce physical AI functionalities to a smartphone—an endeavor that no other manufacturer has yet pursued.
The most notable feature of the Robot Phone is the robotic arm that extends from the back to elevate the camera. You can activate this feature in two ways: either manually through the camera app or via gestures, which I tested at MWC. If you opt for the latter, the Yoyo app will launch automatically, instantly transforming your phone into a robotic assistant.
In this mode, the device can perform approximately 10 gestures to communicate with you, including nodding, shaking its ‘head’ (the camera), curious peeking, and dancing in rhythm with a musical beat. This functionality is enhanced by over 100 emoji options that can be displayed on the screen simultaneously.
When switching applications with the gimbal activated, a pop-up appears offering the option to close it, which I found particularly useful. I could easily envision myself forgetting to close it after use, and I would want to minimize any potential damage.
Nevertheless, the gimbal is constructed from durable materials. Honor has utilized an all-titanium gimbal, which houses over 100 micro-precision components. It is driven by a titanium alloy gimbal motor and a steel flip motor. However, it is advisable to avoid dropping it.
To demonstrate the true power and versatility of the Robot Phone, Honor has collaborated with the Chinese robotics firm Seeed Studio, which has developed various robotic bodies that can accommodate the phone. The phone serves as the ‘brain’ of these robots—one equipped with wheels and arms, and another that is bipedal—allowing users to interact with them via AI or a controller. The robot kit featuring wheels is available as open-source hardware for individuals to download. This means that if you purchase a Robot Phone and have access to a maker space or kit, you can convert it into a robot capable of movement.
A cinematographer’s ideal phone
The most apparent reason someone might consider purchasing the Robot Phone is its integration of handheld camera technology favored by creators, such as the DJI Osmo Pocket series and its competitors, into a single phone device. This allows for the convenience of carrying one device instead of two, and enables immediate editing and uploading of footage without the need for file transfers.
The device is equipped with three cameras: a primary 200-megapixel camera, a 200-megapixel telephoto camera, and a 50-megapixel ultrawide camera. Co-developed with the renowned Hollywood cinematography company ARRI, the primary camera is positioned on the swing-out module. During my experience using it in vertical mode, I found it disappointing that the camera cropped the image instead of flipping it, resulting in a decrease in resolution from the standard 4K.
The three intelligent tracking modes enable you to select from gimbal tracking, smart tracking, and pre-composition framing. Additionally, the device features six dynamic camera modes, which include AI SpinShot, default stabilization, tilt locked, super steady, FP, and FPV vertical. I experimented with the AI SpinShot function, which permits you to rotate the gimbal either 90 or 180 degrees at the press of a button while recording, resulting in some impressive shots.
Honor’s collaboration with ARRI is a strategic decision aimed at positioning the Robot Phone as a credible filmmaking tool. Renowned for its high-quality cinematography equipment, ARRI footage is frequently regarded as a standard for excellence in video production, and its cameras are preferred by major Hollywood productions.
At this point, I cannot assess the quality myself, but upon entering cinematic mode in the camera application, the extensive array of manual controls is quite remarkable. This may require some adjustment for those who are not professional cinematographers, yet it provides an excellent opportunity for enthusiastic amateurs to learn. The addition of ARRI cinematic filters will also enable you to apply a variety of sophisticated filmic aesthetics to your footage.
A bold and radical transformation of the smartphone
During my initial hands-on experience with the Robot Phone, I was struck by its features and versatility, but even more so by Honor’s audacity. It is, in my opinion, the closest representation of avant-garde innovation in the smartphone industry.
Currently, cutting-edge design for most phone manufacturers revolves around foldable devices — and Honor is participating in that trend as well. Its Magic V6 may be the most breathtaking foldable I have ever had the opportunity to hold. However, the company is not satisfied with merely competing on the same level as its rivals.
With the Robot Phone, it is forging a new path and venturing into territories that no other phone manufacturer has dared to explore. Is it a prudent decision to completely overhaul the conventional hardware design guidelines? Clearly, it is a significant risk, but it demonstrates Honor’s boldness.
“They are demonstrating the potential of innovation with a distinctly unique product, which is likely to attract significant interest among technology aficionados,” stated Ben Wood, chief analyst at CCS Insight. He further remarked that the Robot Phone “embodies the aspirations of Honor.” Wood noted, “This is not an isolated case for Honor, as they were the trailblazers in the realm of slim foldable devices.”
Currently, the Robot Phone will be available exclusively in China, a country that serves as an excellent testing ground. Products from DJI are immensely popular here, and the local market is well-acquainted with the Honor brand.
Numerous Chinese smartphone manufacturers find it challenging to differentiate themselves, particularly in the global arena, and integrating a robotic arm into a smartphone is undoubtedly a method to establish oneself as an innovator.
“You can expect to see much more from Honor as they strive to push boundaries and continuously enhance their brand amidst fierce competition,” Wood concluded.
