Honor's humanoid robot steals the show at MWC 2026 with moonwalk, backflip and ambitious AI plans

First Steps? Honor's Humanoid Robot Makes Its Debut With a Moonwalk and a Backflip

Katie is a UK-based news reporter and features writer. Officially, she is CNET's European correspondent, covering tech policy and Big Tech in the EU and UK. Unofficially, she serves as CNET's Taylor Swift correspondent. You can also find her writing about tech for good, ethics and human rights, the climate crisis, robots, travel and digital culture. She was once described a "living synth" by London's Evening Standard for having a microchip injected into her hand. In what was definitely the most showstopping moment of Mobile World Congress so far, Honor's brand-new humanoid robot hit the stage on Sunday with a dance number choreographed to Believer by Imagine Dragons. This is the first time a phone-maker has unveiled a humanoid robot, setting Honor apart from its Android rivals in a big way. Alongside four backing dancers, the robot showed off its dance moves, which included an impressive moonwalk, before being joined on stage by Honor CEO James Li, who shook its hand and then encouraged it to do a backflip. It didn't quite stick the landing, but saved itself from falling at the last moment with an outstretched hand. Honor first announced its move into robotics in October last year when it said it was making a Robot Phone. At CES in January, we got our first glimpse of a non-working version of the phone. This week at MWC in Barcelona, Honor is showing a working demo of the Robot Phone, with a self-aware, responsive camera arm. Just before the show, Honor said that not only would it be bringing the Robot Phone to Barcelona, but an actual humanoid robot. It's a bold move for a company that so far has only been known for making phones, tablets and laptops. But it also sees the company joining a broader trend we witnessed at CES in January - namely, launching a humanoid robot designed to live and work alongside us in the very near, if not immediate, future. Unlike many robotics companies that build industrial robots first, with plans to expand into consumer robots at a much later date, Honor is designing its humanoid for consumers from the start. The company says its robots will be designed for three core scenarios: shopping assistance, workplace inspections and supportive companionship. Last year in Barcelona, Honor announced a $10 billion investment in AI - but at the time, it only hinted that this would include physical AI. It turns out its AI ambitions stretch far beyond software into robotics, and it seems the company might just be getting started. "I believe AI must spin out... and into our physical world," said Li on stage at the Honor event. "This is why we create Honor robots. If the smartphone is an extension of our minds, the robot would be an extension of our hands. It connects us to a whole new world of services."

Honor claims its Robot Phone will launch later this year

Honor has revealed more details of its so-called Robot Phone at MWC 2026, and finally showed a working unit in action alongside a dancing humanoid robot. Specs are still thin on the ground, but the company has confirmed it plans to release the phone in the second half of this year -- though I've been told that will only be in China. The Robot Phone doesn't quite live up to the name -- really it's a smartphone with a gimbal-stabilized camera arm crammed into the back. Honor has now revealed that the main camera will have a 200-megapixel sensor, and is built into what it says is the smallest 4DoF gimbal system in the industry, though those are all the official specs we have so far. It includes various AI camera tracking modes, along with more robotic features like the ability to nod or shake its head in conversation, and "dance" to music. I fought through a throng of journalists to see a working unit in the demo area, which I saw unfold from the device, hold an AI-enabled conversation, and fold back in. So I can confirm it moves, but I didn't get to see the rest of its capabilities -- still, that's more than I saw at CES. Honor showed the Robot Phone off on stage together with a diminutive humanoid robot. It gave no details at all about that device, though has previously claimed it does have plans for a commercial launch. The robot danced and backflipped across the stage -- though whether or not it was under teleoperation, Honor wouldn't say. I later saw it haltingly wave and shake hands with press in a demo area, though did that inconsistently enough that I'm confident it wasn't under remote control. I'll be seeing more of both the robot and Robot Phone on the MWC floor tomorrow, when I should get a better idea of what to expect from Honor's robotics plans. Photography by Dominic Preston / The Verge

Honor Teases New Humanoid Robots, First Model Will Arrive at MWC 2026

With over a decade of experience reporting on consumer technology, James covers mobile phones, apps, operating systems, wearables, AI, and more. Most people know Honor for its smartphones and other gadgets, but it's now set to pivot into robotics as the next step in its AI-focused strategy. Announced on Monday, Honor debuted a teaser for its MWC 2026 launch event with the tagline "Believers in AI Future." Its save-the-date video for the launch, set for Sunday, March 1, gives a quick glimpse at its first humanoid robot. Spotted at the end of the video, the robot appears to have a singular camera and a light toward the top of the head, with it being shown bending at the waist to look down. It also shows an arm on its left-hand side, with a blue light running down the center of the chest. It's set to come in matte black, though it's hard to see the exact color in the video, which is designed to just tease the innovations. Little else is known about the robot. The launch event should see Honor share more about what this robot is capable of and whether it is a concept device or a gadget the brand intends to sell to customers. If it does sell this first-gen model, it's unlikely we'll see it come to the US, as historically Honor hasn't focused on the US market. It may be that this launch will focus on its home market, China, as the brand begins to build out its robotics expertise. Some Honor products launch in other parts of Asia and across Europe. The brand is also set to talk more about its Robot Phone, a concept device it previously showcased, featuring a robot arm with gimbal capabilities to adjust the rear camera. Honor says the phone has a "super brain of AI" onboard. Other new products confirmed for MWC 2026 include a Magic V6 foldable phone, a MagicPad tablet, and a MagicBook Pro laptop. The brand will be hoping its MWC 2026 robot reveals go off without a hitch. One recent robot launch from Russian brand Aidol saw its creation face-plant live on stage during its November 2025 debut.

Chinese Smartphone Maker Honor Plans Humanoid Service Robot

Honor Device Co. will unveil its first humanoid robot later this week, joining a rush by Chinese companies into a burgeoning sector of new technology. The robot, aimed at consumer services such as shopping assistance, will make its debut at the MWC Barcelona tech conference this weekend, the Shenzhen-based smartphone maker said on Monday. Honor, which went independent from Huawei Technologies Co. in 2020, says it will be first among its peers to enter the humanoid segment, though Huawei is also developing AI models for such tasks. Honor will also show off its latest artificial intelligence advancements, under the banner of what it calls the Honor Robot Phone. The race to build artificial intelligence into physical products is now led by Chinese startups like Unitree, whose machines were featured in a spectacular acrobatic showcase during the country's Lunar New Year gala broadcast. Honor has set up a multibillion-dollar initiative to expand into new industries, with a focus on AI and novel applications. Like rivals Xiaomi Corp., Oppo and Vivo, the company is also building its own agentic AI services that will be integrated into its software for smartphones and other devices. Closely held Honor, which has backing from the Shenzhen government's investment vehicle and an array of state-owned enterprises, has said it's on track to a public listing, though it hasn't yet fixed a timeline. Recent debuts by Chinese AI-focused companies, such as large language model developer Zhipu, have been greeted with enthusiasm by investors seeking domestic competitors to the likes of OpenAI and Anthropic PBC. Read more about China's lead in robotics Chinese Firms Dominated Global Humanoid Robot Shipments in 2025 Chinese Startup's Kung Fu Robots Fire Up Tech-Wary Investors China Warns of Bubble Risks in Booming Humanoid Robots Arena China's Honor Developing Humanoid Robots in $10 Billion AI Plan

Phone-Maker Honor Will Unveil Its First Humanoid Robot Next Week

Katie is a UK-based news reporter and features writer. Officially, she is CNET's European correspondent, covering tech policy and Big Tech in the EU and UK. Unofficially, she serves as CNET's Taylor Swift correspondent. You can also find her writing about tech for good, ethics and human rights, the climate crisis, robots, travel and digital culture. She was once described a "living synth" by London's Evening Standard for having a microchip injected into her hand. When Honor announced its upcoming Robot Phone in October last year, it was a genuine surprise, promising a refreshing break from the relatively predictable phone designs we see on a daily basis. But it turns out the Chinese phone-maker had something even more ambitious and impressive up its sleeve: an actual robot. Honor will unveil its first humanoid service robot during its launch event at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on Sunday March 1, the company said on Monday. It is set to display the robot alongside the first working prototype of its Robot Phone, as well as new phones and tablets. The market for humanoid robots is currently experiencing a massive boom -- with IDC noting a 508% year-on-year growth in revenue in 2025 -- thanks to rapid advances in AI. Chinese companies are far ahead in this race, with leaders such as Agibot and Unitree already shipping out units, while US competitors trail behind. Still, most of these humanoids are designed to be used in industrial or service settings. Very few are ready for deployment into people's homes. We don't have many details about what to expect from Honor's robot at this stage. An AI-generated video posted by the company shows a humanoid robot with a glowing neon blue lights interacting with its Robot Phone. Last year at MWC, Honor announced a $10 billion investment into AI, with a range of devices promised. Compared to other phone-makers, the company is early to jump into the world of robotics, potentially giving it early-mover advantage in an increasingly crowded market. What isn't clear at this stage is how far along Honor is in its robot development. At MWC, it could unveil a full working prototype on stage, or it could show us another video of the robot. Either way, CNET will be in attendance at the company's kenynote to bring you all the news as it happens.

A closer look at Honor's Robot Phone

While Honor has already made plenty of product announcements, with tablets, foldables, and more, its most interesting device at MWC 2026 is the Robot Phone -- and maybe the humanoid robot that came alongside it. After briefly showing off a model at CES, Honor isn't quite ready to launch its Robot Phone. However, we got more specs, tech demos and a closer look following the company's MWC press event in Barcelona. The Robot Phone is currently set to launch later this year. Honor has put a lot of effort into ensuring its camera gimbal is highly mobile, to the point of creating a tiny personal robot that is, dare I say, adorable? The Robot Phone's pop-up camera can cock its head, shake to say no, nod to agree, and even "flip" - or at least rotate 360 degrees. According to Honor's presentation, it can even bop along to songs. A spokesperson told me that it's got five songs in its repertoire, so it's not clear whether they're programmed for these kind of demos, or will be a feature of the final retail device. Another demo here at MWC showed how you could make the Robot Phone "sleep" by covering its gimbal eye, though it's odd that the camera is still exposed rather than folded away. My main concern with the Robot Phone is the robustness and durability of its robotic mechanisms. We've lived through several waves of smartphones that attempted much simpler mechanical camera functions and the threat of dust or heavy-handed users can't be ignored. The company says it's taken what it learned from foldables, regarding high-performance materials and simulation accuracy, and applied it to shrinking the camera module. On stage, Honor CEO James Li revealed what he calls the industry's smallest micro motor, much smaller than a 1-euro coin and, he added, 70 percent smaller than existing micro motors. As this component has been reduced substantially, the Robot Phone's gimbal will be the industry's smallest 4-degrees-of-freedom gimbal system. That's a spec - we finally got a spec! It'll also offer three-axis stabilization in this tiny camera package, with the primary camera using a 200-megapixel sensor. The fold-away panel that the primary camera tucks into also reveals more typical cameras, so you're not forced to use the gimbal if you don't need it. Still, that's one very thick camera unit: Honor has already started building out camera modes and features, with a Super Steady Video mode that enhances stability while swinging the Robot Phone around to capture video. AI Object Tracking will apparently intelligently follow subjects, while AI SpinShot supports intelligent 90-degree and 180-degree rotational movement for more cinematic transitions. We've seen these sorts of pre-programmed movements and functions in full-size phone gimbals and action cams. If Honor can nail it in such a tiny form, it'll be impressive. Other specifications during Honor's press event were sparse, although the company announced a collaboration with ARRI Image Science to bring its cinematic smarts to the Robot Phone's gimbal camera. In a press release, Honor's Li said the collaboration would bring ARRI's "cinematic standards and professional workflows" into mobile imaging. It's apparently the first time elements of ARRI Image Science are being integrated into a consumer device. Dr. Benedikt von Lindeiner, VP at ARRI, said the goal is to bring a true cinematic aesthetic, such as "natural color, gentle highlight roll-off, and a sense of depth," to shooting with an Honor smartphone. Honor also made a humanoid robot companion for its Robot Phone. The bot took to the stage alongside the Robot Phone, danced alongside human dancers, did a backflip and shook hands with CEO James Li. It didn't say a thing, but fortunately, during some on-the-rails banter between the robot, Robot Phone and Honor's CEO, the Robot Phone was particularly chatty. Like the many humanoid robots we've reported on and seen in person, Honor hopes to put it to work in both industrial and domestic settings, pitching it as a central part of the company's multi-million-dollar push into AI. For now, it's being called Honor Robot.

Okay, This AI-Powered 'Robot Phone' Has My Undivided Attention

MWC 2026 kicks off in Barcelona next week on Mar. 2. Short for Mobile World Congress, the annual mobile-focused show has traditionally been the global stage for many Chinese brands like Xiaomi, Huawei, and Honor to show off their latest phone innovations. The show has been quieter since the pandemic, but this year there's one phone that will have my full attention. I'm talking about Honor's "Robot Phone." Other than a few images that leaked around CES 2026, there's not really much information on Honor's Robot Phone. Its defining feature is what appears to be a gimbal-based camera that extends from the backside. Presumably using AI and some kind of computer vision, the Honor Robot Phone can "see" and "hear" a user, tilting and fidgeting as if it's some kind of robot companion. The animated movements strongly remind me of Pixar's Luxo Jr. lamp or Wall-E. © Honor; Screenshot by Gizmodo At first, it seemed like the Honor Robot Phone would be a glorified phone with a gimbal camera, much like the one on cameras like DJI's popular Osmo Pocket 3 (and soon to be Pocket 4) that allows for super smooth, stabilized video capture. But Honor's latest promotional video shows the camera interacting with users in various waysâ€"ways that make it almost seem alive and sentient. The videoâ€"one that's clearly AI-generated in case you couldn't tell from all the rubbery-looking people in itâ€"shows the Robot Phone can be placed in your shirt pocket and "see" as you take a stroll, it could sing a lullaby and play peek-a-boo with a baby, or even offer critiques of your outfit. And, of course, it can shoot stabilized video. © Honor; Screenshot by Gizmodo Such an AI-powered robot phone, with a motorized and animated camera head, feels like something out of a sci-fi movie. It also might be too good to be true. While Honor may very well show off a working version of its robot phone, I wouldn't be surprised if it's merely a concept that never gets commercialized. As a guy who reviews a lot of phones, phone makers are still in the very early stages of making our phones "AI phones" with the intelligence of large language models (LLMs) and agentic computing, which is a fancy way of saying a computer does stuff on your behalf instead of you manually tapping through an app. Are phones really ready to have motorized limbs when our voice assistants can barely "think" intelligently and parse through our troves of personal data? I think we're still many, many years away from that happening if robotics and phones ever converge at all. Remember how fast motorized selfie cameras came and went? I love how weird this idea is, but I also have so many questions. How durable is this Robot Phone? One wrong bump or tumble and your camera could be dead for good. How much would the sentient-like camera impact battery life? It's gotta be a heavy drain on battery life. Can it speak?! © Honor; Screenshot by Gizmodo Needless to say, Honor has my eyebrows perked. I'm excited by the idea of a robot phone infused with "intelligence," but I'm not holding my breath that it's the next big thing after foldables. At the very least, Honor will have something more realistic to look forward to at MWC 2026: its next foldable, the Magic V6. The device will be the company's fifth-generation book-style foldable that competes with the likes of Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7. Rumors suggest it'll be even thinner than the Magic V5, boast the world's first IP68 and IP69 ratings, and include upgrades to its "Super Steel Hinge" and foldable glass screen.

Forget foldables, this Android phone maker is launching a robot butler at MWC

This humanoid joins the previously teased HONOR Robot Phone on stage, alongside traditional hardware like the Magic V6. HONOR is about to make a surprising entrance at Mobile World Congress 2026 with something no one expected from a phone brand: a humanoid robot. MWC usually features foldables and AI-powered phones, but the Chinese phone maker is hoping its walking, service-ready robot will steal the spotlight. The company has confirmed on X that it will reveal its first humanoid robot on March 1 in Barcelona. This launch is part of a bigger move beyond smartphones and into physical AI hardware. HONOR's interest in robotics isn't completely unexpected, but the quick pace of this move is surprising. The brand has focused on AI solutions for phones, tablets, and PCs in recent years. Now, it is expanding into embodied AI, with machines that can see, move, and interact with people. The company's teaser (shown in the video above this post) features a matte-black humanoid robot with a camera on its head and a glowing light strip on its chest. Its ability to bend and move smoothly suggests it is designed for service, not for industrial or factory use. The forward-facing sensors likely provide depth mapping and object recognition, which are essential for a robot that needs to operate safely around people. Additionally, the humanoid robot will share the stage with the company's previously teased Robot Phone, a smartphone featuring a gimbal-mounted camera. HONOR is also expected to launch more traditional hardware at MWC, such as the Magic V6 foldable, MagicPad 4, and MagicBook Pro 14. The timing is good, as the humanoid robotics market is growing quickly, according to market research firm MarketsandMarkets. More importantly, HONOR becomes the first major smartphone brand to make a serious move into humanoid robotics.

Smartphone maker to unveil its first humanoid built for daily chores

The company shared a glimpse of what's coming through a 39-second YouTube video, announcing its entry into the physical AI hardware space beyond mobile phones. The MWC is well-known as the largest annual mobile and connectivity conference organized by the GSMA. With an average attendance of over 90,000, the conference will be held in Barcelona from March 2 to March 5. The company posted a YouTube teaser captioned: "We've combined cutting-edge robotics with the ultimate mobile experience." The result? Something you have to see to believe. The adventure starts on March 1st in Barcelona!" The clip reveals a matte-black robot with a camera mounted on top. It has a blue light strip on its chest and left arm that highlights its presence in the video. The company hasn't revealed any specifications, names, or pricing yet. The robot is expected to share the stage with Honor's Robot Phone; the duo will together constitute an AI-driven ecosystem. The product is designed for use in retail and home service settings, with capabilities that include delivering items and providing companionship in household environments.

Honor says its Robot Phone launches later this year with 200MP gimbal camera [Gallery]

While the Honor Magic V6 is the brand's biggest announcement at MWC 2026, the Robot Phone and humanoid robot are perhaps the ones the company is more excited about. While no one has really had a chance to use the Robot Phone yet, Honor says it will launch the device later in 2026. On the tail end of its keynote in Barcelona, Honor shifted focus from foldables and consumer releases over to robotics. This included seeing the brand's humanoid robot dancing along to "Believer" by Imagine Dragons. Honor hasn't said much about what that robot will actually be capable of doing, but it was pretty cool to see it do a backflip. A bit more interesting is the "Robot Phone," which Honor has been teasing for the past few months. The company still isn't letting anyone use the device just yet, with the hardware being off limits both at the Honor event and on the show floor at MWC 2026, but we have a few details now on what it will bring to the table. Honor says that the camera attached to a motorized gimbal will be using a 200MP sensor, and will feature the ability to follow your movements. This is done with a hand gesture, at which point the camera will follow you around. The motors can also move the camera around to give the device some added expression when you interact with the AI - it's pretty cute. You'll be able to ask the on-board AI for "anything," Honor says, including things like "does this outfit look good," at which point the AI will use the camera to analyze. The idea, Honor says, is to use this as a companion when you're at a desk, with the movements of the camera not only being able to better see the world around you, but also react. Otherwise, it also acts as a stabilized camera, with Honor saying the phone can sense motion and react in real-time, much like other camera gimbals. Honor explains: This mechanical architecture supports a three-axis gimbal stabilization system, delivering smooth and precise motion even in dynamic environments. Super Steady Video mode enhances stability in high-movement scenarios, while AI Object Tracking allows Robot Phone to intelligently follow subjects in real time. AI SpinShot further expands creative control, supporting intelligent 90° and 180° rotational movement for fluid, cinematic transitions, even when shooting one-handed. Built around a 200MP sensor and a stabilized gimbal camera system, Robot Phone is designed to help users move beyond capturing moments and toward capturing life stories. Through stabilization, intelligent tracking, and cinematic-style camera movement, it aims to close the gap between smartphone video and professional-looking storytelling. As for a release, Honor says the Robot Phone will be launching sometime later in 2026, but it sounds like that might only be in China. Not exactly surprising there, but it'll be interesting to see if this phone, or some form of it, ever makes its way to global markets. In the meantime, the Honor Magic V6 is the company's next major global release, with the battery-packed foldable set to launch in the coming months in markets such as Europe. Follow Ben: Twitter/X, Threads, Bluesky, and Instagram

Honor's Robot Phone hands-on: It's wild, and it's weird

Honor brought its Robot Phone concept to Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, giving us a first close look at the device. Honor calls the Robot Phone a "new species" of smartphone that combines "embodied AI interaction with robot-grade motion and cinematic imaging capabilities." No, that doesn't make the concept any clearer. Having seen it in person, I can tell you that it is, indeed, still a smartphone. It has a robotic arm that springs out of the back, carrying a 200-megapixel camera with it. Once it's out, the arm functions as a gimbal, allowing the camera eye to move around freely in all three dimensions. This could be useful for certain types of tasks in photography and videography, but Honor seems to be equally as interested in using the camera/eye to give the phone personality. Yeah, it can nod at you, or perform other gestures that really do turn the entire thing into a robot of sorts. Some actual use cases, besides it looking pretty darn cool, include video calls in which the camera eye follows you around as you move, baby monitoring, and yes, dancing to the music. Some of the units I've seen up close were asleep, with the robotic eye gently nodding, as if it were breathing. One was tracking the crowd and answering questions, responding either with a nod or a shake. On stage, during a demonstration of Honor's first-ever humanoid robot, the Robot Phone had a simple interaction with its human-sized counterpart, in accordance with Honor's vision of connecting its gadget ecosystem via AI. We weren't allowed to touch the device, but it did seem pretty close to a finished product. Honor says it created the world's smallest micro motor for that robotic arm, and I can attest that it seemed quite lively, though we weren't shown how long it takes for it to unfold. There's no word on when the Robot Phone will be available as an actual product you can buy. For now, it's an interesting take on a smartphone, though we'd really need to spend more time with it to see how useful the robotic part really is.

Honor's Robot Phone is launching for real and its gimbal camera looks impressive

Honor's robot phone breaks cover with robotic motion and a 200MP gimbal camera Mobile World Congress Read our complete coverage of Mobile World Congress Updated less than 1 minute ago The future of smartphones just took a dramatic leap as Honor officially confirmed that its long-teased Robot Phone - a device that blends mobile hardware with robot-grade motion and embodied AI - is heading into commercial release. Demonstrated recently after capturing global attention at major tech showcases, the Robot Phone is unlike any handset on the market, redefining how users interact with devices by giving the smartphone its own physical "expressiveness" and cinematic camera movement. A smartphone that behaves more like a robot than a slab of glass Honor describes the Robot Phone as a "new species of smartphone", and the claim isn't an exaggeration. Instead of relying solely on touchscreen gestures and voice commands, the device introduces embodied AI interaction, enabling it to respond through motion, body language, and robot-grade tracking. Recommended Videos The phone can nod, shake its "head," track subjects across a room, and even dance to the rhythm of music - giving it a sense of personality that goes far beyond today's static hardware. With multimodal perception powering its intelligence, it can listen, detect motion, recognize visual cues, and adjust its physical perspective in real time. This marks a significant shift from passive smartphone interaction to a more expressive, human-like experience. As part of Honor's broader ALPHA PLAN - its long-term AI hardware strategy - the Robot Phone represents a major step toward devices that understand and respond to the world in a more natural, emotional way. Robot-grade motion powered by ultra-compact engineering To make a smartphone move like a miniature robot, Honor had to engineer an entirely new internal architecture. The company developed a self-designed micro motor, drawing from its experience building foldable devices that require high-density, high-strength miniaturized components. By shrinking the motor system to a microscopic scale, Honor managed to fit a remarkably advanced 4-DoF (degrees of freedom) robotic gimbal into the phone. This internal motion system supports three-axis stabilization, enabling smooth and precise physical movement even when the user or environment is in motion. The result is hardware that feels more like a tiny robotic camera platform than a traditional smartphone chassis. A 200MP gimbal camera built for cinematic storytelling At the center of the Robot Phone's appeal is its 200MP primary sensor, mounted on the robotic gimbal assembly. This setup redefines smartphone videography: Super Steady Video ensures stable footage in high-movement scenarios. AI Object Tracking locks onto subjects and follows them autonomously. AI SpinShot introduces fluid 90° and 180° rotating camera transitions - normally impossible to achieve handheld - enabling cinematic movements typically seen on professional rigs. The combination of hardware stabilization, robotic motion, and intelligent tracking helps close the gap between mobile video and professional filmmaking tools. For creators, vloggers, and documentary-style shooters, it opens up new forms of visual storytelling without needing external stabilizers. The HONOR x ARRI Angle At the MWC 2026, Honor also announced a collaboration with professional cinema technology giant ARRI, bringing ARRI's century-long image science expertise directly into Honor's next-generation consumer devices, beginning with the upcoming Robot Phone. The partnership introduces core elements of ARRI Image Science to mobile imaging for the first time, aiming to deliver natural color rendering, cinematic highlight roll-off, and professional-grade consistency from capture to final output. Honor says the move is to push mobile imaging into the realm of true storytelling, enabling creators to work with aesthetics traditionally reserved for high-end movie productions. ARRI, known for shaping global filmmaking standards and earning 20 Academy Scientific and Technical Awards, views smartphones as increasingly vital to professional workflows and sees this collaboration as a bridge between cinema and mobile creators. The first results of the joint development will debut later this year, positioning Honor's Robot Phone as a major step toward embodied, cinematic AI devices. Why this launch matters for the future of smartphones The Robot Phone is not just another flagship with a better camera - it represents the beginning of embodied intelligence in consumer devices. The industry is quickly moving from AI-in-software to AI-in-motion, where devices can interact with the physical world instead of simply responding on screens. Its all-angle AI video calling, which automatically follows a user around the room, hints at a future where smartphones become more active participants in communication. Meanwhile, the expressive nods, shakes, and dance-like movements introduce a uniquely playful dimension to everyday tech. With companies worldwide racing to integrate AI deeper into hardware, Honor's approach leaps ahead by making intelligence visible and physical. What comes next The Robot Phone is expected to be part of Honor's escalating AI hardware lineup, with broader rollout details anticipated soon. Its debut signals a new direction for mobile innovation - one where phones won't just respond but will interact, move, follow, and express. Bloomberg notes that Honor aims to position the Robot Phone as part of its broader AI pivot, while The Verge reports that the company is targeting an initial launch in China before rolling out to global markets in phased stages. This timeline suggests that consumers may see the first retail units in the second half of 2026, depending on manufacturing readiness and regional certification. As Honor advances its AI roadmap, this device offers a glimpse of a future where smartphones evolve from static tools into active, embodied companions capable of capturing life with unprecedented fluidity and personality.

HONOR just revealed it's bringing a humanoid robot to MWC - Phandroid

Most people already knew HONOR had something wild planned for MWC 2026 in Barcelona. The company has been teasing its Robot Phone for months. But buried in that announcement was something nobody saw coming. According to Bloomberg, HONOR will also unveil its first HONOR humanoid robot at the show this weekend. It's the company's first step into full-body robotics. HONOR dropped the news Monday via a teaser on X. The clip showed both the Robot Phone and the unnamed humanoid side by side. The robot looks exactly how you'd expect: a matte black figure with a glass face, a light bar where its eyes would be, and a single camera on its forehead. Its purpose? Consumer services, with shopping assistance as one of the key use cases. HONOR split from Huawei back in 2020 and has been pushing hard into AI ever since. The company has poured a reported $10 billion into what it calls its Alpha Plan. Per Bloomberg, HONOR claims it will be the first among its peers to enter the humanoid segment. Huawei is also developing AI models for similar tasks, so that title could get contested quickly. The humanoid ties into the bigger story HONOR is telling at MWC. The Robot Phone debut is officially confirmed for March 1 at the Palau de Congressos de Barcelona, and the humanoid robot should appear at the same showcase. HONOR isn't alone in going big this year either. TECNO is also bringing a major AI push to MWC 2026, and Chinese brands in general are treating Barcelona as a statement moment. Details on the humanoid are still thin, but March 1 isn't far off.

Honor's Robot Phone Concept Will Launch in China This Year

The company unveiled its humanoid robot and Blade Battery technology Honor unveiled a series of concepts at Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2026 on Sunday, showcasing ambitions beyond traditional smartphones. The China-based company once again demonstrated its highly awaited robot phone that is built around its Magic V6 foldable, providing more concrete details regarding its features and availability this time around. Honor introduced a humanoid robot prototype as part of its AI push and revealed a new Blade Battery designed specifically for foldable devices. Honor Robot Phone Features 200-Megapixel Gimbal Camera One of the standout showcases from the company is the Robot Phone. First teased in October 2025, it is built around the Honor Magic V6. It is equipped with a 200-megapixel camera integrated with what Honor calls an industry-first three-axis mechanical gimbal inside a smartphone body. As per the brand, the system is supported by a compact four-degrees-of-freedom structure enabled by a custom micro motor. It is said to be 70 percent smaller than conventional solutions. Honor claims this level of miniaturisation allows robot-grade motion control to fit within a standard smartphone chassis constructed using 2800MPa high-strength materials engineered with precision. The mechanical gimbal is advertised to enable advanced stabilisation, promising smoother footage in dynamic shooting scenarios. The Honor Robot Phone also comes with AI-backed camera capabilities. For example, AI object tracking allows the camera to lock onto and follow subjects in real time. Meanwhile, the AI SpinShot feature enables controlled 90-degree and 180-degree rotations for cinematic transitions. There are also agentic shooting tools. Honor says it has partnered with German motion picture film equipment manufacturer ARRI to integrate professional cinema expertise into its mobile imaging solution. As per the brand, the Honor Robot Phone will be commercially launched in the second half of 2026, although its initial availability will be limited to China. Pricing has not yet been announced. Company's First Humanoid Robot At the same event, Honor unveiled its first humanoid robot. Honor says its robots are being designed from the outset for consumer environments, unlike companies that aim for industrial settings. According to the company, its robots will focus on three core scenarios -- shopping assistance, workplace inspections, and supportive companionship. Honor Humanoid Robot unveiled alongside the Robot Phone at MWC 2026 Photo Credit: Honor Honor emphasised that its experience in developing smartphones and connected devices provides them with a deep understanding of user behaviour. This ecosystem continuity, according to the brand, will help future embodied AI devices to recognise users, understand them, and offer personalised physical assistance from the very first interaction. During the event, the humanoid robot performed a series of remote-controlled gestures and poses in front of the audience. Honor has not, however, disclosed its specifications, pricing, or a commercial production timeline. Honor Blade Battery With Silicon-Carbon Technology Lastly, Honor also demonstrated its Silicon-Carbon Blade Battery technology designed for foldable smartphones. The company says the battery increases silicon content up to 32 percent, enabling an energy density of over 900Wh/L. The Blade Battery claimed to be intended for future foldables that could feature capacities of 7,000mAh and beyond, while maintaining slim profiles. To highlight the thinness and durability of the battery, Honor presented a visual demonstration featuring Guinness World Record holder Rick Smith Jr., who threw a playing card that spun through the air. The clip then suggested that the "card" was actually the ultra-thin battery itself. It was, however, showcased as a technology preview, and no concrete details about its production were announced.

Now I've seen it in action, Honor's Robot Phone feels a lot closer to reality

Future-thinking phone with an integrated gimbal is on track for 2026 For something that was only a design sketch six months ago, the upcoming Honor Robot Phone has come a long way in a very short space of time. The quirky smartphone was originally teased at CES back in January, but appeared to be almost fully functional at this week's Mobile World Congress show. A full launch is set for the second half of 2026. I like to think the Robot Phone is the result of Honor's mad scientists accidentally leaving a DJI Osmo Pocket and Magic 8 Pro in the test chambers while attempting some teleportation experiments. Only instead of a Cronenburgian monstrosity, we've gotten a flagship phone with a motorised gimbal in place of a traditional rear camera array. In reality, the firm's R&D team has been hard at work developing some of the industry's smallest micromotors. The miniaturised hardware uses production know-how gained from making multiple generations of foldable phone hinge, and means the camera can unfold from its housing automatically. Once open, the three-axis gimbal gives it four degrees of freedom and the best video stabilisation of any smartphone. The camera app will then let you lock onto subjects using AI-based object recognition, and pull off snazzy 90-degree and 180-degree spinshots with a tap. That could be a huge deal for on-the-go creators looking to minimise their camera bag. Once you're finished recording, the camera folds back down and a protective door mechanically slides back over it. I thought it looked incredibly slick in action, recognising people and turning around the room during a brief (hands-off) demo. While the camera island understandably sticks out further than that of a typical smartphone, it wasn't nearly as chunky as I was expecting, and the rest of the phone looks pretty normal. Replacing your action camera is only half the story. Honor's bigger play is to make the Robot Phone an AI assistant, letting the camera module become its eyes to the world. That'll allow for multi-modal interaction, which basically means being able to ask the handset anything based on what you - and it - can see. I was shown the assistant describing what it could see in the demo area, with cute little eye graphics appearing onscreen above a live view of the camera. Honor also envisions it being able to give fashion advice - though I'm not sure I'll be ready for an AI to tell me if I can pull off double denim by the time the Robot phone goes on sale. Honor isn't talking hardware specifics just yet, although we did learn that the gimbal camera has a 200MP sensor. It's unclear if this is the same one used by the Honor Magic 8 Pro's telephoto. I imagine Honor has stuffed the thing full of its ultra-slim silicon-carbon blade batteries too, so that the gimbal doesn't drain the thing flat in double quick time. Expect to hear a lot more about the Robot Phone - including whether that will be its official name - in the second half of 2026. I have a feeling we'll be waiting a lot longer until the humanoid robot, also revealed at this year's Mobile World Congress, becomes a tangible product.

Here's When Honor Will Showcase Its First Humanoid Robot

* Honor's humanoid robot will feature a forward-facing camera * Honor's humanoid robot will ship with AI functionality * The company will also launch the Robot Phone on the same day The Mobile World Congress (MWC 2026) is scheduled to begin on March 2 and will go on until March 5. During the four-day event, various smartphone makers and tech firms will showcase their new products and innovations. Ahead of MWC 2026, various Chinese companies, including Xiaomi and Honor, will also globally unveil new devices. Recently, Honor confirmed that its Magic V6 foldable and the Robot Phone with a pop-out camera will be globally launched a day before the event starts. Now, the Chinese smartphone maker has confirmed that the handsets will be accompanied by a humanoid robot. Honor to Showcase Its First Humanoid Robot on March 1 at MWC 2026 In a post on X, the China-based tech firm announced that it will showcase its first humanoid robot with AI features on March 1, a day before the MWC 2026 begins, in Barcelona, Spain. Honor said, "We've combined cutting-edge robotics with the ultimate mobile experience." While most details about it remain under wraps, the company has also shared a video as part of the announcement showing the design of the humanoid robot. The humanoid robot appears to have some sort of visor, placed on its forehead, which could feature a camera to help it in avoiding obstacles while also allowing the robot to answer environment-based questions and take context-based actions. The hollow face of Honor's first humanoid robot will be covered with a glass panel. The "alpha" branding, which is also seen on the Honor Robot Phone, will be placed on the back of the humanoid robot, according to the landing page on the company's website. Like other humanoid robots, it will also feature a full-set of limbs, allowing it to move around and interact with other objects in its surroundings. Honor is expected to reveal more details about the new device in the coming weeks. This comes soon after the company announced that it will launch the new Honor Magic V6 and Robot Phone at MWC Barcelona 2026 on March 1. Honor is set to host the 'AI Device Ecosystem Era' showcase between 1pm to 2pm CET (12:30am to 1:30am IST) on the day. While the Magic V6 will be a foldable phone, the Robot Phone is teased to feature a pop-out camera on the back.

Chinese Tech Firm Honor Debuts Humanoid Robot and Robot Phone | PYMNTS.com

By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions. The company demonstrated those products Sunday (March 1) at MWC Barcelona 2026, Bloomberg News reported, calling it Honor's push to reestablish itself as an artificial intelligence-focused hardware company. Spun off from Huawei in 2020, Honor began as a budget brand before moving into premium devices and foldable phones, the report added. In 2025, the company pledged to spend $10 billion over five years to build AI devices. According to the report, the robot is Honor's first own-brand android. During the demonstration, it performed remote-controlled gestures and poses, although the company has not yet offered details of the robot's specifications, pricing or production schedule. Honor has said it was designed for customer service functions, Bloomberg added. Meanwhile, Honor also demonstrated its Honor Robot phone, set to go on sale in China in the latter half of this year. The "robot" designation relates to the 200-megapixel camera mounted on an articulating arm attached to the device, which can gesture and interact with the user, and capture what Bloomberg deemed "impressive" footage. Last year, the company introduced its Magic8 series phone, which uses AI to automatically seek lower prices and apply coupons on China's largest eCommerce platforms. "It's part of the smartphone maker's latest bid to turn AI from a background feature into a real-world benefit, and it comes as Apple faces growing pressure to prove its own devices can do more than talk about intelligence," PYMNTS wrote at the time. A report last from The Wall Street Journal looked at China's efforts to gain dominance in the humanoid robotics field, with the country now boasting more than 140 companies in the industry. The report said it's part of a plan by the Chinese government, which aims to lead the "embodied AI" -- a blend of AI and physical systems -- sector in the next five years. Since late 2024, cities like Beijing have established investment funds of more than $26 billion to finance the industry, WSJ added, citing data from Morgan Stanley. The WSJ also says that Elon Musk, whose company Tesla has been pivoting to humanoid robotics, has touted the potential of the Chinese market. "China is an ass-kicker, next level," Musk said in January. "To the best of our knowledge, we don't see any significant [humanoid robot] competitors outside of China."

HONOR Robot Phone has a 200MP sensor, gimbal stabilization

At MWC 2026, HONOR introduced a conceptual leap in mobile technology with the "HONOR Robot Phone." Described as a new species of smartphone, the device integrates embodied AI interaction with robot-grade motion control and advanced cinematic imaging capabilities. Moving beyond static screens and voice commands, the Robot Phone incorporates physical, expressive movements to interact with its environment, effectively giving the device "hands and feet" alongside a multimodal AI brain. By integrating hardware capable of identifying sounds, tracking motion, and maintaining visual awareness, the device establishes a more natural and sensory interaction model. The Robot Phone's embodied AI is designed to make device interactions feel more lifelike and intuitive. Key interactive features include: Packing robotic components into a standard smartphone form factor required significant rethinking of space, strength, and weight. Drawing on reliability know-how developed for foldable devices, HONOR achieved several engineering milestones: Built to close the gap between everyday smartphone video and professional storytelling, the Robot Phone features the industry's first 3-axis gimbal camera paired with a 200MP sensor. The mechanical architecture supports smooth, precise motion and unlocks new forms of capture: HONOR has entered into a strategic technical collaboration with ARRI, the world-renowned designer and manufacturer of professional camera technology for cinematic storytelling. The first results of this collaboration will debut in the HONOR ROBOT PHONE later this year, said the company.

HONOR MWC 2026: Humanoid Robot, Magic V6 and more

HONOR has released its official "Save the Date" communications for Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona 2026. Operating under this year's theme, "Believers in AI Future," the company has outlined a series of upcoming hardware and conceptual announcements. A focal point of the upcoming presentation is the unveiling of HONOR's first embodied AI humanoid robot. This introduction positions HONOR as the first major smartphone company to expand into the humanoid robotics sector. Further context on this strategic move was recently detailed in a report by Bloomberg. At the Global Launch Event, HONOR plans to showcase several new devices alongside its robotics debut: This year's showcase serves as a continuation of the HONOR ALPHA PLAN, which was initially introduced at MWC Barcelona 2025. The 2026 event will highlight the company's ongoing technological developments -- spanning flagship mobile devices to robotics innovations -- as part of its broader vision for a "human-machine synergized future." The HONOR Keynote Launch Event is scheduled to take place in Barcelona, Spain on March 1, 2026, at 1PM CET (5:30 PM IST) at Palau de Congressos de Barcelona.

Honor's robot phone at MWC 2026: Don't touch it yet!

It is still a concept device, with no confirmation yet on its commercial launch. The Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2026 has started in Barcelona with some of the biggest tech companies in the world showcasing their new products and innovations. While there will be a bunch of interesting announcements at the conference over the next few days, the one that has caught a lot of eyes on the first day is Honor's Robot phone. A completely unique and unconventional phone that combines camera and hardware innovation with Artificial Intelligence. The initial prototype was teased at this year's Consumer Electronics Show and the company has given a closer look at the Mobile World Congress with fresh technical details and live demos. However, all of that came with a disclaimer - see it but don't touch. Yes, while I was able to experience the phone in action, I wasn't allowed to touch or experience it on my own. Also, the phone was not operational for a while because of some Wi-Fi issue at Honor's booth, which makes me wonder how far is it from an actual commercial launch. Also read: Xiaomi has brought a supercar to MWC and it looks really cool At the heart of the concept is an unusually expressive pop-up camera gimbal. Honor has engineered it to move with striking fluidity: it can tilt like it's cocking its head, shake side-to-side to signal "no," nod in agreement and even rotate a full 360 degrees. In one demo, the camera appeared to "dance" along to music. According to a company spokesperson, it currently has five pre-programmed songs -- though it's unclear whether these are demo-only flourishes or features destined for retail units. Another demonstration showed users could make the Robot Phone "sleep" by covering its gimbal eye. That said, the exposed mechanical components raise durability questions. Dust, drops and overenthusiastic handling remain real-world concerns. Also read: MWC 2026 opens under shadow of Iran-Israel-US conflict, protests erupt, delegates stranded Honor says it has applied lessons learned from foldable devices, particularly in high-performance materials and simulation accuracy, to miniaturise the camera system. Honor claims that the phone has the smallest four-degrees-of-freedom gimbal system in a smartphone, paired with three-axis stabilisation and a 200MP primary sensor. Software plays a big role too. Features such as Super Steady Video, AI Object Tracking and AI SpinShot promise cinematic, pre-programmed camera movements similar to those found in standalone gimbals and action cameras. Also read: MWC 2026: Moto Razr Fold showcased, India launch soon Honor has also partnered with ARRI to bring elements of ARRI Image Science into the device -- marking the first time aspects of the company's cinematic color science have been integrated into a consumer smartphone. Separately, the company also showcased a humanoid robot companion at a private event, a day before the conference began.

MWC 2026: Honor shows off Robot Phone with gimbal camera system

It combines AI with 'robot-grade motion and cinematic imaging capabilities,' Honor says. At Mobile World Congress 2026, Honor made it clear that it wants to go beyond regular smartphones. Alongside the launch of its new foldable, the Magic V6, the company also offered a preview of Robot Phone. According to the company, the Robot Phone is a 'new species of smartphone' which combines AI with 'robot-grade motion and cinematic imaging capabilities.' Honor says it is trying to give the smartphone 'hands and feet,' making interactions feel more natural and expressive. Keep reading for more details. One of the biggest highlights is its robot-style motion system. The phone supports all-angle AI video calling and can automatically adjust its position to follow the user. Also, it can nod, shake its head, and even dance to the beat of music. Also read: Trump Anthropic ban effect: Pentagon turns to OpenAI to deploy AI, here's what happened 'Honor applied high-performance materials and reliability know-how developed for foldables to Robot Phone engineering, enabling a self-developed micro motor designed for extreme compactness and strength,' the company explains. 'By significantly reducing motor size, Honor was able to fit an ultra-compact 4DoF gimbal system into the phone, creating the hardware foundation for robot-grade embodied motion control.' Also read: Samsung exec explains why Galaxy S26 Ultra, S26 Plus, S26 prices are higher this year The Robot Phone features a 200MP sensor paired with a three-axis gimbal stabilisation system. There is also a Super Steady Video mode for high-movement scenes and AI Object Tracking that keeps subjects in focus as they move. There is also an AI SpinShot feature, which enables the system to rotate intelligently by 90 or 180 degrees for more creative and cinematic shots. 'Through stabilisation, intelligent tracking, and cinematic-style camera movement, it aims to close the gap between smartphone video and professional-looking storytelling,' the company explains. Also read: Google Nano Banana 2 is here: Features, how to use it and more details