In October 2025 Honor shared details of its latest concept phone – the Honor Robot Phone – through a short video. The phone is an AI-powered device that features a pop out camera that rotates, and takes in the world around it.
UX Connect showed the video of the Honor Robot phone to 14 existing smartphone owners in the US who were taking part in in-person AI research focus groups in San Diego, California. Participants were asked to discuss their likes and dislikes of the Honor Robot Phone, based on the video.
Participants were intrigued by the pop out camera. They felt that this could help with capturing photos and video and could help enhance their creativity. This was believed to be particularly useful for content creation. Participants liked that as the camera can automatically adjust, it would help to get better angles and framing. One participant mentioned that “The camera is great for content creation – the camera can get all the different angles.”
With the camera constantly taking in real-time surroundings, some participants felt that this, combined with AI, could help improve personalization and recommendations based on what was around them, and what the camera saw. Some also felt that the camera could capture moments automatically if it was always looking around. One participant commented “It looks like it has the ability to always be with you and provide recommendations”, while another noted “I expect it can help make decisions as it gets to know you and your surroundings.”
The design and character-like qualities of the phone were seen as both innovative, and also playful and cute. Some remarked that it reminded them of Wall-E.
A few participants commented positively on some of the specific use cases featured in the video. The wardrobe/outfit feature and taking photos of the night sky were appealing. However, many felt that using a phone to keep a child entertained was taking technology too far.
Most participants expressed concerns around privacy of the Honor Robot phone. The expectation was that the camera would be looking around most of the time, and constantly recording, capturing data, or analyzing its surroundings. Many felt uncomfortable with the always-on functionality and would want to know much more about what is being recorded, when, and how it’s used. The privacy of others, and a lack of third-party consent was also a worry.
Participants had some questions about the impact on battery life if the camera was always on, as well as how robust a moving camera would be, and also potential thickness of the device. Some participants were also unsure about the anthropomorphic design, which they found a little unsettling and too advanced. They also felt that a phone like this could mean the loss of some of the human connection, and lead to an over-reliance on the phone.
There has been no announcement of if/when the Honor Robot Phone will be available, but Honor expect to demo it in Barcelona at Mobile World Congress 2026.
