The HONOR Robot Phone made its debut a few weeks back, and as the handset is exclusive to the Chinese market, it is not exactly easy to come by. However, the company offered us the opportunity to get acquainted with the device, so we had a taste of what the Malaysian market is missing out on.
As far as appearances go, the Robot Phone is easily recognisable, even when the gimbal camera is tucked away. When not in use, a clear cover keeps the mechanical parts protected, while still allowing you to use the main sensor. This cover feels somewhat loose and flimsy, though. For what it’s worth, it glides back and forth with ease, allowing quick access to the gimbal. Meanwhile, the device’s other cameras sit on the plateau next to the gimbal.
Naturally, the imaging setup adds quite a bit of bulk to the handset. The module protrudes quite a bit from the rest of the phone, making it fairly top-heavy. While we’re on the subject of weight, the device does lean on the heftier side. That being said, it’s lighter than I anticipated. If you’re acquainted with the brand’s current generation of book-style foldables, then the Robot Phone feels about the same in your hand. The only practical problem would be fitting the device in your pocket, but this is not a phone meant to sit idly most of the day.
Instead, it serves as your companion for content creation. Obviously, the highlight of the handset is the 200MP gimbal camera. It swivels out at the touch of the button, provided the cover has been moved out of the way. The phone does warn you when it isn’t, and the gimbal won’t move if it’s obstructed. The gimbal also pops out when you hold the dedicated AI button, but that also summons the onboard assistant, YOYO.
Anyway, you can expect the Robot Phone to take some impressive pictures, though the usual HONOR-isms are present. You get crisp and vivid images with a lot of detail. Unsurprisingly, the default setting favours highly saturated hues, which can be too much for bright shades like orange. Still, there are more muted colour modes. The brand’s AI super zoom feature is also on board, and it goes up to 200x.
One advantage of the gimbal camera is that you can use it to snap selfies, rather than relying on the front-facing lens. But videography is where it really shines, of course. In practice, it pretty much works like a pocket gimbal camera, keeping your shots steady. When the gimbal is in use, you get joystick-like controls on the screen for manoeuvring it. It does move fairly slowly, and the interface can feel a bit awkward, since the shutter button is shifted to the right of the screen.
The Robot Phone comes with built-in tracking features, so it can lock onto a subject and follow them as they move. Based on our limited testing, it works well enough for people, though it may occasionally struggle to identify subjects. Beyond that, the device seems to lack a setting for adjusting how quickly the camera pans. Overall, the phone is suitable for more slow-paced filming and lacks some of the finer features of a regular gimbal camera. The simplicity might be helpful for those new to gimbal cameras, though, as the learning curve isn’t particularly steep. Furthermore, you get a few creative features like FPV mode, so it doesn’t feel basic. There is also a super steady mode that does what it says on the tin, though it isn’t as effective when you have people in frame.
The device’s other claim to fame is the ARRI Cinema Mode. This comes in the form of a separate interface, which offers more specialised features. Here, you can record in LogC3 format, as well as access the ARRI Looks. These are essentially preset colour gradings that can add a different mood or vibe to your footage. The phone offers a preview of how each setting will look.
One thing worth noting about the Robot Phone is that it heats up fast, which can be a problem when you’re shooting in sunny, hazy Malaysia. It didn’t take long for the device to warn us that it is overheating, and that the gimbal camera can’t be used until it cools off a bit.
@lowyatnet We got up close and personal with the HONOR Robot Phone. Here’s a look at what this one-of-a-kind smartphone can do. #HonorRobotPhone #HonorMalaysia
Either way, the HONOR Robot Phone feels pretty good for a pioneer product, especially considering the fact that there is nothing like it on the market right now. Its uniqueness may also be its weakness, as it might be a bit too niche a device to appeal to the wider crowd. The phone could be a great choice for videographers and content creators who want to travel light, but less so for the everyday user. In any case, if HONOR intends to make a sequel, it already has a strong foundation to build on.
