BARCELONA – Honor unveiled a working prototype of its “Robot Phone” at Mobile World Congress 2026, showcasing a smartphone integrated with a gimbal-stabilized camera arm and simultaneously teasing a separate, diminutive humanoid robot. Whereas full specifications remain limited, Honor confirmed plans to release the device in China during the latter half of 2026.
The Robot Phone, as demonstrated, features a 200-megapixel main camera housed within what Honor claims is the industry’s smallest 4DoF (four degrees of freedom) gimbal system. The camera arm extends and retracts from the phone’s chassis, offering stabilization and unique shooting angles. During a demonstration at MWC, the device was shown extending the camera, initiating an AI-powered conversation, and retracting the arm – confirming the mechanism’s functionality, though further capabilities were not displayed.
Alongside the phone, Honor presented a humanoid robot capable of performing complex movements, including dancing and backflips. The company offered no technical details regarding the robot’s construction or operation, though has previously indicated plans for a commercial launch. Demonstrations showed the robot waving and shaking hands with attendees, though the movements appeared inconsistent, raising questions about whether the robot was operating autonomously or under remote control.
Chinese smartphone manufacturers are increasingly focusing on artificial intelligence as a key differentiator, particularly as they navigate challenges related to the global memory chip shortage, according to reports from the South China Morning Post. This strategic pivot towards AI-driven features appears to be a common thread among several Chinese brands seeking to maintain market share and innovation.
Honor’s move into robotics, while still nascent, aligns with this broader industry trend. The company’s demonstration at MWC suggests a vision extending beyond traditional smartphone capabilities, potentially encompassing a range of AI-powered devices and robotic applications. Further details regarding Honor’s robotics strategy and the specifications of both the Robot Phone and the humanoid robot are expected to be revealed in the coming days as MWC 2026 continues.
