China's Honor shows off smartphone with robotic camera arm and teases a humanoid robot

At the Mobile World Congress held in Barcelona, Honor showcased its groundbreaking Robot Phone, aiming to distinguish itself from major competitors like Samsung and Apple. This announcement comes as the company also introduced the Magic V6, its latest foldable smartphone. The Robot Phone, first hinted at in October, features a unique robotic arm that extends from the device, equipped with a camera designed for video enthusiasts. Inspired by DJI's Osmo product line, this camera can autonomously track moving subjects and respond to voice commands via Honor's AI assistant, nodding to indicate 'yes' or 'no'. Honor plans to launch this innovative smartphone in China in the latter half of the year, entering a competitive market where price and features will play crucial roles in consumer decisions. Despite facing challenges such as a global memory chip shortage, which could affect pricing and demand for smartphones into 2026, Honor is determined to carve out a niche in the high-end smartphone market. With a market share of just over 13% in China, Honor ranked as the sixth-largest smartphone manufacturer by the end of the previous year, though it remains a smaller player internationally, particularly in Europe where its market share was 3% in 2025. Industry experts suggest that the launch serves more as a promotional strategy to build brand awareness outside China. Francisco Jeronimo from IDC noted that while the Robot Phone's novelty may attract attention, its commercial success will depend on pricing and practicality, especially if it is perceived as bulky or expensive. In addition to the Robot Phone, Honor also teased a humanoid robot, joining a growing trend among Chinese tech companies venturing into robotics. While specific details were scarce, the robot is expected to assist with shopping, workplace inspections, and provide companionship. This aligns with the efforts of other companies, such as Xiaomi and Xpeng, who are also developing humanoid robots in response to an increasing demand for robotic solutions in various sectors. The Honor Magic V6, which was also unveiled, measures only 8.75 mm in thickness, making it competitive with other premium foldable devices. It boasts one of the largest batteries in the smartphone market and is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Mobile Platform. The Magic V6 is set to hit the Chinese market in March, with plans to enter international markets later in the year, though pricing details remain undisclosed.