One of the most interesting devices at MWC 2026 this year is Honor’s Robot Phone and it turns out that it’s not just a concept, destined to stay on the lab shelf.
Honor has been teasing the device, but the mobile-focused show in Barcelona is the first time it’s been properly shown doing its thing. In what Honor is calling “a new species of smartphone”, it primarily contains a hidden camera which is mounted on a motorised gimbal.
Alex Walker-Todd / Foundry
It’s common in tech for things like this to be fun and exciting at trade shows to generate a bit of hype, but never go on sale. However, Honor says it will launch later this year – though it may only go on sale in China.
We now know the camera is a 200Mp sensor, matching the likes of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Alex Walker-Todd / Foundry
The three-axis gimbal system provides smooth video thanks to its Super Steady Video mode and there are also “intelligent 90° and 180° rotational movement for fluid, cinematic transitions.”
Furthermore, the camera has been programmed with AI to bring it to life in Wall-E style, with Honor saying it “responds with emotional body language, including expressive nods and head shakes”. It can also dance to music, respond to hand gestures and do things like comment on your outfit.
When the Honor Robot Phone release date will be and how much it will cost remains to be seen, but there certainly won’t be anything else like it on the market. At least that we know of.