Chinese smartphone maker Honor turned heads at the CES 2026 technology show in Las Vegas by revealing a prototype of its ambitious new Robot Phone — a device that blends robotics, artificial intelligence and smartphone technology in a way that could redefine what a phone can do.
Rather than a traditional static camera module, the Robot Phone features a built-in robotic gimbal camera arm that can extend and swivel from the back of the handset. The concept is designed to give users much more flexibility when taking photos and videos, with the camera able to track subjects automatically and rotate through wide angles without needing extra accessories such as a separate gimbal.
On the show floor, visitors were able to see the early prototype up close, with Honor demonstrating how the mechanical gimbal mechanism is integrated into the phone’s chassis. However, the unit exhibited was not a fully working product — the camera arm itself did not operate autonomously during demos, and Honor is expected to reveal a complete, functioning version at Mobile World Congress 2026 in Barcelona later this year.
Honor has spoken of the Robot Phone as marking a new phase in smartphone design — one where devices don’t just respond to users, but can actively support them with AI and robotics. Whether the technology will work reliably in everyday conditions and how robust it will be remains to be seen. Details such as pricing, availability and full specifications have not yet been announced.
The Robot Phone has quickly become one of the most talked-about innovations at CES this year, demonstrating how phone makers are experimenting with new form factors and intelligent hardware.
Author: Pishon Yip