Gimmick or game changer? Chinese smart device maker Honor launches ‘robot phone’

Chinese smart device maker Honor has unveiled what it calls the world's first "robot phone," a smartphone featuring a motorized robotic camera. Launched in Guangzhou, the device aims to differentiate itself in a crowded market by integrating artificial intelligence and advanced motion control. The phone's retractable gimbal camera can track users, rotate up to 180 degrees, and offers a "super steady" mode for livestreaming and sports shooting.

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We believe it is just the start because this is only the first generation, but we will continue to work on this prototype and make it more stable and powerful.

Honor positions the device as a "new species of smartphone," suggesting it offers a glimpse into future AI integration in consumer hardware. Honor AI product expert Thomas Bai believes this is just the beginning, predicting a trend towards AI-powered devices and that other brands will likely follow suit. The company has already reported 400,000 pre-orders in just two weeks, indicating significant initial interest.

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We believe that in the future, many other brands will come up with the same idea and … there will definitely be a trend for the next generation of AI devices.

However, the "robot phone" has elicited mixed reactions from consumers. While some find the concept novel, they question the public's readiness to embrace AI's increased control over photography. Concerns about the device's durability and the potential high cost of repairing the complex moving camera mechanism have also been raised. One potential customer expressed worry that the phone might be fragile, leading to expensive repairs if the gimbal fails due to accidental drops or impacts.

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This kind of phone is indeed very new. The idea is quite novel but it still needs time for people to accept it.

Industry analysts suggest that other manufacturers may adopt a wait-and-see approach, similar to the initial reception of foldable phones. They want to assess the commercial viability of Honor's robotic camera concept before investing in similar technology. Honor is betting that this innovative design could drive the next major shift in smartphone evolution, but its long-term success remains to be seen.

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I wouldn't consider it, because I think it might be quite fragile. If you knock or drop it during daily use and the gimbal stops working, the repair cost would be very high.