HONOR Brings Cinema-Grade Imaging to Smartphones with Robot Phone at Venice

By Tahani Elghazaly
Published September 12, 2026

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HONOR showcased its Robot Phone at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival, presenting the device as a new approach to mobile filmmaking that combines a mechanical camera system with professional cinematic imaging technologies developed with ARRI. The phone appeared as part of HONOR’s role as the Official Imaging Strategic Partner of the International Promotion Program for Chinese-Language Films.

Co-engineered with ARRI, the Robot Phone uses an integrated mechanical gimbal designed to provide stabilized movement, subject tracking and hands-free shooting. HONOR says the system combines its expertise in mobile imaging, artificial intelligence and robotic camera technology with elements of ARRI’s professional imaging workflow.

Among the technologies brought to the phone are ARRI LogC3, designed to retain more information in highlights and shadows for post-production, and ARRI Wide Gamut 3, which provides a broader color space. The device also supports ARRI Looks, giving creators access to controlled cinematic color treatments.

The partnership is intended to give mobile filmmakers greater control over footage from capture through post-production, bringing elements of professional cinema workflows into a smartphone rather than relying solely on conventional computational photography and automated image processing.

David Bermbach, Managing Director at ARRI, said the future of imaging is not simply about increasing pixel counts, but about giving creators greater control over how images are captured and finished. ARRI brings more than a century of filmmaking expertise to the partnership, while HONOR contributes mobile imaging, processing and robotic technologies.

The Robot Phone had previously appeared at major industry and film events, including MWC 2026, the Cannes Film Festival and the Shanghai International Film Festival, before being presented in Venice. HONOR and ARRI say they plan to continue developing integrated cinematic imaging technologies for mobile devices.