The smartphone that looks back
Forget foldables—HONOR just teased what it calls the Robot Phone: a concept device with a pop-out gimbal camera that follows you around. The teaser shows a 3-axis camera that slides out of the rear bump and physically turns to track subjects, like a DJI Osmo Pocket built straight into a phone.
The boldest idea since the foldable
While the rest of the industry chases bendable screens, AI companions, or mixed-reality headsets, HONOR is betting on movement. The camera itself moves—rotating, panning, and tilting—so the user doesn’t have to. The company says the prototype will make its debut at MWC 2026 in Barcelona, though no specs or pricing are known yet.
A genuine feat of miniaturization
Integrating a full gimbal into a smartphone’s camera bump pushes mechanical design to its limit. Earlier this year, Roborock fitted a robotic arm into a vacuum cleaner, and Apple’s iPhone Air condensed computing into a camera bump. HONOR seems to have combined both ideas—robotic motion and extreme miniaturization—into one audacious device.
Why does it make sense
The logic is simple: people prefer the high-quality rear camera, not the front one. A self-rotating lens solves that by turning to face you for selfies or tracking shots. It also opens up new modes—automated panoramas, stabilized vlogging, or event capture without needing to hold the phone.
Why it’s also unsettling
A phone that can “look around” raises obvious privacy concerns. A pop-out gimbal could record without being pointed, or even while sitting face down. HONOR has previously introduced a deepfake detector to counter AI scams, but similar safeguards would be crucial here to prevent misuse.
Mechanical reality check
Pop-up cameras once looked futuristic, too—until dust, wear, and poor sealing made them short-lived. Moving parts compromise water resistance and durability, and the sliding glass cover shown in HONOR’s teaser introduces yet another point of failure. If the mechanism jams, the phone could lose its main camera entirely.
Still, credit where it’s due
HONOR has proven it can build ambitious hardware. The Magic V2 remains the thinnest foldable on record, and the company’s MagicBook Art 14 already featured a retractable webcam. While Apple and Google refine their software ecosystems, HONOR seems intent on redefining what a phone physically is.
The takeaway
The Robot Phone might never hit stores, but it signals a new category—followables. Whether it becomes the next big trend or a cautionary tale of over-engineering, HONOR has again positioned itself as the brand most willing to risk absurdity in pursuit of innovation.
