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Honor to Unveil Humanoid Robot and Detail AI Strategy at MWC 2026, Showcases Robot Phone

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Honor Unveils Humanoid Robot, "Robot Phone," and Ambitious AI Strategy at MWC 2026

Honor is set to introduce its first humanoid robot and detail its comprehensive AI strategy at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona on Sunday, March 1, 2026. The company also showcased its "Robot Phone," an AI-integrated smartphone featuring a retractable gimbal camera system, and confirmed the launch of new foldable phones, tablets, and laptops. These announcements position Honor as a prominent player in the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence and robotics within the consumer electronics sector.

MWC 2026 Announcements: "Believers in AI Future"

Honor's MWC 2026 launch event, operating under the tagline "Believers in AI Future," will feature several key reveals. A teaser video provided a glimpse of Honor's initial humanoid robot project. Concurrently, the company provided further details on its "Robot Phone," previously known as the Alpha Phone Robot, which combines advanced camera technology with embodied AI capabilities. The event will also see the launch of the Magic V6 foldable phone, a MagicPad tablet, and a MagicBook Pro laptop.

Honor's Humanoid Robot Takes Center Stage

The teaser for Honor's first humanoid robot depicted a device with a singular camera and a light positioned on the top of its head. It displayed an arm on its left side and a blue light running down the center of its chest, shown bending at the waist. The robot is anticipated to be matte black.

Further specifics regarding its capabilities, whether it is a concept device or intended for commercial sale, and potential market availability are expected during the MWC 2026 launch. Should the model be sold, initial market focus is anticipated for China, other parts of Asia, and Europe, with US availability considered unlikely.

Honor's entry into the consumer humanoid robot sector marks it as the first global smartphone manufacturer to do so.

The "Robot Phone": AI and Advanced Imaging Combined

Honor's "Robot Phone," also referred to as the Alpha Phone Robot, was showcased with a 200-megapixel camera integrated into a retractable gimbal arm. This motor-powered camera is designed to track objects or individuals and offers enhanced stabilization for video recording. Users can control the arm manually or utilize AI-powered subject tracking, which allows for nearly 360-degree rotation.

The device includes automatic shooting modes and future AI video editing capabilities, aiming to facilitate content creation on a single device. Honor states its gimbal arm is 70 percent smaller than competing systems, representing the industry's smallest 4DoF (four degrees of freedom) gimbal, utilizing materials from Honor's Magic V6 foldable phone hinge for its micro motors.

Multimodal Interaction and Personal Companion Features

Beyond its camera features, the "Robot Phone" integrates an LLM chatbot app that allows it to respond to user queries and perform physical movements, such as nodding for 'yes' or 'no' answers, or dancing. Honor describes its interaction model as "natural, sensory, and intuitive" through multimodal perception, enabling it to identify sounds, track motion, and maintain visual awareness. The device is designed to function as a personal companion for daily tasks and work, integrating AI smartphone technology and embodied intelligence.

The "Robot Phone" debuted in October 2025, with mass production and release scheduled for 2026. Commercial availability in China is planned for the second half of 2026. A global release for this or a future version is considered a possibility, though no timeline has been established. The companion aspect of the phone is noted to resonate more deeply in some Asian cultures, suggesting that a global launch might emphasize its camera features.

Honor's Broader AI Strategy: Alpha Lab and Ecosystem Building

Honor initiated its AI-focused Alpha strategy in March 2025, committing a $10 billion investment over five years. This strategy aims to establish Honor as a global leader in AI terminal ecosystems, structured into three developmental phases: smart device development, smart ecosystem building, and co-creation of a smart world. As part of this initiative, Honor plans to establish the Alpha Lab to foster innovation in edge-end intelligence.

Other Product Launches at MWC 2026

Alongside the AI and robotics developments, Honor is set to launch additional devices:

  • Magic V6: The company's latest foldable smartphone.
  • MagicPad: A new tablet device.
  • MagicBook Pro: An updated laptop model.

Market and Industry Context

Honor's product launches occur amidst an ongoing shortage and price surge of memory chips, which is anticipated to potentially lead to increased device prices and impact smartphone demand in 2026.

In the broader industry, other smartphone manufacturers are also advancing in humanoid robotics and AI:

  • Vivo: Has established a robotics lab focused on developing robot intelligence and visual perception through AI large models, imaging, and mixed-reality computing. Vivo also showcased its upcoming X300 Ultra, emphasizing video capabilities.
  • Xiaomi: Introduced and open-sourced its embodied intelligence VLA model, Xiaomi-Robotics-0.

Honor, which spun off from Huawei in 2020, seeks to differentiate its product offerings in the market through these strategic advancements.

Strong Business Performance in 2025

In 2025, Honor reported smartphone shipments exceeding 71 million units, representing a 9% increase year-over-year. Overseas sales increased by 47%, accounting for over 50% of total shipments for the first time. Shipments in Latin America and the Middle East and Africa regions each surpassed 10 million units, with market share exceeding 10% in 17 key countries.