Honor Has Radically Reinvented the Phone for the Robot Age. I Played With It and It’s Wild

Honor's Robot Phone, a device that merges phone technology with robotic features, has hit the market in China. The phone, priced between $1,483 and $1,923 depending on storage capacity, debuted at a launch event in Guangzhou, impressing tech journalist with its unique design and capabilities.

On the back of the phone, a camera system housed in a three-axis gimbal mounted on a robotic arm distinguishes it from other Android devices. This innovative feature, a first of its kind, allows for unique interactions and a hands-on experience unlike any other.

The device's in-built Yoyo AI voice assistant showcases the phone's AI capabilities, facilitating tasks like placing orders and providing a personal assistant experience through various gestures and 100 emoji options. The phone is powered by Qualcomm's top-of-the-line Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, ensuring it can handle AI requests effectively.

The Robot Phone also brings physical AI features to the phone market, a novelty that sets it apart. The robotic arm that swings out from the rear can be activated manually or through gestures, transforming the phone into a personal assistant. The camera feature stands out as well, packing a 200-megapixel main camera, a 200-megapixel telephoto camera, and a 50-megapixel ultrawide camera, developed in partnership with ARRI for serious filmmaking.

The phone's ability to act as a "brain" for robots, enabling interaction via AI or a controller, adds another layer of functionality. The Robot Phone's partnership with Seeed Studio, a robotics company, allows users to transform it into a moving robot, fostering creativity and hands-on experiences.