Smart devices brand HONOR presented a prototype “Robot Phone” at MWC 2026 in Barcelona featuring a mechanically moving camera module integrated into the device.
Unlike conventional smartphones with fixed lenses, the prototype uses a motorized multi-axis that allows the 200-megapixel camera sensor to tilt and swivel independently of the phone body.
The company said the moving camera is designed to support video recording, subject tracking and stabilization. The module can also react to music and perform programmed physical motions.
For vloggers and content creators, a multi-axis system can function like a hand-held gimbal. With the camera now allowed to move independently, users may record from more flexible angles without rotating the entire phone.
That could make spontaneous filming easier in crowded or fast-moving environments.
Also, this kind of device can eliminate the need to buy a separate handheld gimbal.
By integrating mechanical stabilization into the device itself, creators may be able to reduce the amount of gear they carry, potentially lowering overall setup costs and simplify on-the-go content creation.
According to Li Jian, CEO of HONOR, the Robot Phone is slated for release in the second half of the year, though pricing details have not been disclosed.
The Robot Phone was introduced alongside other products at HONOR’s MWC briefing, including updates to its foldable lineup such as the HONOR Magic V6.
Mechanical camera systems have previously appeared in smartphones in limited forms, such as pop-up lenses and rotating modules. However, integrated multi-axis movement within the camera housing itself is uncommon in mainstream devices.
At last year’s MWC, HONOR focused on foldables and AI-driven hardware, introducing the HONOR Magic6 Pro. The brand marketed it as one of the thinnest inward folding phones at the time.
Held annually in Barcelona, Spain, MWC serves as a barometer for the mobile industry’s priorities. With Irene Karlsson
