Honor robot phone: spain wins world cup, introducing a gimbal that's seriously weird

The FIFA World Cup 2026 final ended with a Spanish victory, but the real buzz isn’t about the game – it’s the debut of the Honor Robot Phone. One of their players, Eric García, was spotted using the device during the awards ceremony, and it’s a genuinely unsettling, yet undeniably intriguing, piece of tech.

A gimbal that pops up

Forget traditional slabs and folding phones. Honor is going full-blown sci-fi with the Robot Phone, boasting a built-in gimbal. It’s a feature that, frankly, looks like it belongs in a futuristic movie, and it was officially showcased in a video released by the company itself. The gimbal smoothly rises from the back of the phone when activated, providing 360-degree tracking and a CIPA 5.5-level rating of mechanical image stabilization – a serious upgrade for content creators.

A world cup win… and a debut

A world cup win… and a debut

The timing couldn’t be better. Spain’s triumph provided the perfect stage for the phone’s unveiling. It’s a calculated move, leveraging the excitement surrounding the tournament to generate immediate attention. But beyond the marketing, there's a tangible sense that Honor is attempting to disrupt the established norms of flagship smartphone design. They’re not just building a phone; they’re building a statement.

Specs and partnerships

Specs and partnerships

Under the hood, the Robot Phone is expected to pack a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, a 6.4-inch display with a rapid 120W charging system. And, notably, Honor has partnered with ARRI, a legendary name in professional cinematography, to incorporate Log-C recording and professional LUT color profiles. This isn’t just about gimmicks; they're aiming for serious creative tools. The phone will also feature a 200MP main camera, a 50MP ultra-wide, and a 200MP periscope telephoto.

Reservations open

Pre-orders have already opened in China, with an expected launch in August – ahead of the iPhone 18 Pro’s September debut. The competition is heating up, and Honor is clearly positioning itself as a disruptor. Samsung and Apple should be paying close attention.

Price: TBD