I tried the Honor Robot Phone — and it's the coolest phone in years (that's not coming to the US)

Every year, smartphone innovation feels iterative — a slightly faster processor, brighter screens, larger batteries, and the occasional camera sensor upgrade. However, the Honor Robot Phone is convincing me it wants to be a disruptive force in the mobile landscape.

Initially, I thought the Honor Robot Phone was going to be yet another gimmick following in the failed footsteps of past phones I’ve reviewed in my 17+ year career, like the Amazon Fire Phone, Kyocera Echo, and Red Hydrogen One. But in today’s era of non-stop media consumption and doomscrolling, there’s no arguing the power of compelling video — and the Honor Robot Phone offers the exact kind of utility I crave in my search for the best camera phones.

By integrating a fully functional, motorized robotic gimbal directly into the top frame of the device, Honor has created something genuinely fresh. It’s hands down the coolest and most futuristic smartphone concept I’ve laid eyes on in years. There’s just one problem: it’s not coming to the U.S.

Honor Robot Phone hands-on review: Specifications

Honor Robot Phone hands-on review: Motorized gimbal

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The headline feature is, without a doubt, the built-in motorized gimbal system. I think Honor does a superb job of fashioning it into the frame, which is reminiscent of the pop-up, motorized selfie cameras that were first introduced a while back. Clearly, it’s one area I’m hyper-focused on because I worry about how it’ll hold up over time — more so when any exposed moving parts can be vulnerable — but I will say that the mechanism looks and feels solid.

What appeals most to me here is how it effectively combines two gadgets into one. I’ve tested my share of phone gimbals, but action-camera ones like the DJI Pocket 4 and Insta360 Luna Ultra have shown superior utility. The Honor Robot Phone effectively combines the phone and pocket gimbal into a single device, and I’m impressed by how the gimbal delivers remarkably smooth footage with zero micro-jitters.

In addition to smooth pans and wobble-free tracking, the Honor Robot Phone also gains the same AI-assisted tracking functions that I see from other phone and camera gimbals. For example, it offers subject tracking that locks onto a target so they remain centered in the frame, regardless of where they move. It’s one less thing I have to manage and is perfect for those shoots where I need to walk around spaces — sort of like having a dedicated camera person with me.

Enthusiasts will also appreciate all the shoot modes, such as the ability to switch to FPV mode to give panning movements more of a first-person look, or locking the gimbal to keep the camera fixed on one point no matter how the phone moves.

The only drawback I see from my hands-on time is how it handles vertical recording. By default, the 200MP camera on the gimbal stays in a landscape position—so when I select the vertical option through the menu, it simply crops the framing to the center portion. This is a physical limitation of the gimbal's design, seeing as it can’t rotate on its axis for true hardware vertical recording.

Honor Robot Phone hands-on review: Low-light performance

As a creator myself, it’s the versatility that makes the Honor Robot Phone compelling — covering all the ranges I require with its triple cameras. While the main camera packs a massive 200MP sensor with a fast f/1.6 aperture, I’m really curious about two things: its low-light and depth-of-field performance.

Starting with the former, the 1/1.28” main sensor is nowhere near as large as the 1-inch sensors found in action-camera gimbals like the DJI and Insta360 — as well as vlogging cameras I love, like the Sony ZV-1F. Under low-light situations, those larger sensors pull in more light to deliver crisp, less noisy-looking footage.

While the clips I’ve captured with the Honor Robot Phone look good in ideal shooting conditions, I’m a little leery about low light. In dimly lit environments, I suspect it’s going to rely heavily on software processing and noise reduction to compensate for the smaller sensor. As for depth of field, camera phones have been able to emulate the look of an actual camera lens to soften the background — but they aren’t always accurate.

Honor Robot Phone hands-on review: Design

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Despite its internal mechanics and moving parts, the Honor Robot Phone feels exceptionally solid in hand. Holding it instantly reminds me of my iPhone 17 Pro, thanks to its flat edges, unibody metal design, and compact 6.31-inch display profile. There’s no shortage of premium qualities in its construction, but it does feel rather hefty at 8.75 ounces — whereas the iPhone 17 Pro comes in at a lighter 7.27 ounces.

One thoughtful detail I really like is the sliding mechanical camera lens cover. It neatly tucks the gimbal away flush into the body when I’m not using it, which eases my mind slightly about potential wear and tear.

But even with titanium alloy construction and steel flip motors, those moving parts inherently worry me. While I’m less concerned about dust, I’m much more afraid of accidental drops.

Honor Robot Phone hands-on review: Outlook

The Honor Robot Phone is easily the most innovative camera phone launched in years. By introducing a motorized gimbal into the mix, Honor delivers a device that feels like a true generational leap forward — one I’d be eager to buy. But there’s a problem.

Unfortunately, for those of us stateside, the phone will not see an official U.S. release. It’s set to launch first in China with an undisclosed price. I’m hopeful it won’t be much more than what current flagship models sell for, though even if it's a few hundred more, that wouldn’t be too shabby given the hardware.

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