Testing a smartphone generally means taking a few photographs, recording a video, opening applications and checking how it performs in daily use. With HONOR Robot PhoneHowever, the test organized by HONOR at Movieland followed a different path, taking us outside the classic context of technological presentations.
The day began in the theater, where we were able to learn more about the project and the technologies that characterize the device. The center of attention was of course its motorized camera system, but also the collaboration with ARRIa reference company in the world of cinematographic cameras and professional production.
After having explored the characteristics and possibilities of the product, we moved on to the more practical part of the event. The participants were divided into three teams and had the task of make a short film using HONOR Robot Phone. A way to move from theory to practice and understand how the device’s features can be applied when you don’t just record a simple clip.
The park’s attractions provided the context for the day, enabling us to experiment with different shots and movements. The result was an exercise in creativity in which technology was not just something to observe, but a tool to be used to tell a story.
HONOR Robot Phone, a smartphone that wants to do something different
The smartphone sector is used to comparing processors, displays, battery life and cameras. HONOR Robot Phone tries to add a different element, intervening directly on the way the camera moves and follows what happens in front of the lens.
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The peculiarity of the device is the motorized system integrated into the bodywhich allows the main photographic module to lift and orient itself autonomously. It’s not simply a more advanced software stabilization: HONOR has created one three-axis mechanical structure with four degrees of freedomdesigned to control camera movement with greater flexibility than a traditional smartphone.
The result is a device that tries to bring some possibilities of dedicated cameras and external gimbals closer to the mobile world, keeping everything within a single product.
The difference is especially clear when you think about those who frequently record videos. Anyone who creates content for YouTube, Instagram or TikTok knows how complicated it can be to get a fluid shot while moving, following a person or trying to shoot a scene from a particular angle. The HONOR Robot Phone gimbal was created to deal with these situations.
The motorized gimbal is the real protagonist
The ability to physically orient the camera represents the most interesting aspect of the device. The module can perform controlled movements e accompany the scene without forcing the person recording to continuously rotate the phone.
The system integrates three-axis mechanical stabilization, combined with image processing algorithms. HONOR has also provided different movement modes, designed to adapt the behavior of the camera to the type of shot we want to make.
Among these we find the automatic subject trackingwhich allows the device to recognize a person and keep them in the frame as they move. A particularly interesting function for those who work alone and cannot always count on the presence of an operator behind the camera.
The motorized module can also perform controlled rotations of 90 and 180 degreesuseful for creating more dynamic transitions and shots. They are tools that, if used wisely, can help give greater character to a video without necessarily having to resort to external equipment.
The day at Movieland offered an interesting context to experiment with a different approach to recording. The goal was not only to verify the quality of a single clip, but to use the device within a project with a specific purpose: tell a story through images and sequences connected to each other.
Three teams, a film to be made
The second part of the event transformed the presentation into a video production experience. After the moment dedicated to the technical characteristics, the participants were divided into three groups, each asked to make a short film using the HONOR Robot Phone.
The change in perspective was significant. During a technical demonstration we inevitably focus on the functions, numbers and possibilities declared by the manufacturer. However, when you need to construct a story, other elements come into play: the choice of shots, the movement of the camera, the continuity between scenes and the ability to exploit what is available.
The Movieland attractions represented an ideal scenario to test oneself with different situations, looking for angles and movements suitable for the film to be made. Teamwork added a creative component, because the potential of the device had to be transformed into sequences capable of functioning within a story.
Our short film with HONOR Robot phone
It is precisely in such a context that a system like the HONOR Robot Phone can show its value. The ability to control camera movement and automatically track a subject can simplify some shots and give the director more freedom.
Of course, technology alone is not enough. An effective film requires ideas, organization and the ability to choose when to use a certain movement. The gimbal can contribute to the smoothness of images, but the construction of the story remains in the hands of those who make the video.
The experience therefore allowed us to observe the product from a different perspective compared to the classic photographic test, focusing not only on the quality of the images, but also on the way in which the device can fit into the creative process.
The collaboration with ARRI looks to the cinema
Another central element of the presentation is the collaboration between HONOR and ARRIa company known for its professional video cameras and technologies dedicated to film shooting.
The project brings tools to the smartphone that look at a workflow closer to that of professional video production. Among these we find ARRI LogC3 to 10 bit, ARRI Wide Gamut 3 and ARRI Looksdesigned to offer greater control over color rendering and the possibilities for intervention during post-production.
Log recording, in particular, allows you to acquire images with a less contrasty rendering, leaving more freedom in the management of lights, shadows and colors during editing. It is not an essential function for those who want to record a video and quickly publish it on social media, but it can be interesting for those who want to build a more precise visual result.
Collaboration does not automatically turn a smartphone into a cinema video camera, because the sensor, optics and shooting conditions still determine the final result. It represents though a concrete attempt to bring together two worlds that are becoming increasingly complementary: that of professional production and that of content created directly with mobile devices.
A photographic section also designed for those who create content
The motorized system is only part of the HONOR Robot Phone’s photographic equipment. The setup includes a main camera from 200 megapixels with gimbal, a periscope telephoto lens from 200 megapixels with optical zoom 2.7x and an ultra wide-angle camera from 50 megapixels.
The presence of three different perspectives allows you to deal with different situations, from the main shot to narrower shots, up to scenes in which it is necessary to include a larger portion of the environment.
The device also uses image processing chip HONOR H1 and integrates tools dedicated to video recording. The hardware platform includes Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5while the battery gives 7,060 mAh aims to support even demanding sessions of use.
The element that really distinguishes the product remains the integration between the photographic sectormechanical movement and artificial intelligence. The automatic tracking and control features are designed to make content creation easier, especially when you don’t have a crew or dedicated equipment.
The motorized system is undoubtedly the most characterizing element, especially for those who often record content and want greater freedom in managing the shot. The collaboration with ARRI adds an interesting component for those who want to intervene on the final result even during post-production.
The aspects that emerge only with prolonged use remain to be evaluated, from comfort in daily use to autonomy during longer recordings. The presence of an integrated mechanical system inevitably involves compromises in terms of size and complexity.
last but not least, this Robot Phone will not arrive (at least for the moment) on our marketsbut it will remain a Chinese exclusive where it is available at a price of 9,999 yuan for the 512GB version and goes up to 12,999 yuan for the 1TB version.
However, the day at Movieland offered a concrete opportunity to go beyond the presentation of the specifications and test the creative possibilities of the product. Because, beyond the numbers and technologies, the real question is always the same: How much can a tool help those who use it to tell a story better?
With HONOR Robot Phone, the answer lies in the ability to transform a camera capable of moving autonomously into a tool for constructing images, sequences and stories with greater freedom.
