Honor Robot Phone: Gimbal Camera Smartphone Launches in China
Original: Honor’s Robot Phone Has a Gimbal-Powered Camera for Vloggers
Why This Matters
The device signals a new hardware differentiation push in the premium Android smartphone market via integrated gimbal optics.
Honor officially launched the Robot Phone in China on Aug 13, 2026, priced at 9,999 RMB (~$1,482). The Android device features a motorized pop-up gimbal camera with 200MP resolution, 4 degrees of freedom, and 300-degree rotation, targeting mobile content creators.
Honor launched its Robot Phone in China, positioning it as a 'new species of smartphone' for mobile content creators. The headline feature is a motorized gimbal camera that pops up from the top of the device, powered by a custom-developed micro-motor that Honor says is 65% smaller by volume than traditional gimbal components, weighing just 2.6 grams in titanium alloy.
The gimbal camera uses a 200MP sensor with 4 degrees of freedom and 300-degree rotation, allowing use as both a rear and selfie camera. Additional cameras include a 200MP telephoto, 50MP ultrawide, and 50MP front shooter. The phone measures 9.59mm thick and weighs 248 grams, housing a 7,060 mAh silicon-carbon battery.
Users can control the gimbal via the camera app, palm gestures, or voice commands with natural language (e.g., 'turn around for 5 seconds'). Subject tracking and preset cinematic motions are also included. Honor, formerly a Huawei subsidiary and now independent, sells Android devices across the UK, Europe, Africa, and Latin America, but has no US presence. The Robot Phone remains China-exclusive for now.