The Honor Robot Phone revealed two weaknesses in JerryRigEverything’s durability test: The gimbal motors heat up to 50 °C when jammed, and the dust protection is only rated IP54 instead of the IP68 certification typical of flagship models. After coming into contact with dirt, the camera mechanism became temporarily inoperable; even compressed air didn’t help right away.
The Honor Robot Phone is the first mass-produced smartphone to feature a 3-axis gimbal built directly into the camera module. It was precisely this mechanism that was the focus of a detailed durability test and teardown by YouTuber Zack Nelson, better known as JerryRigEverything. His conclusion is mixed: The concept works, but there’s still room for improvement at the intersection of mechanics and everyday usability.
Gimbal motors get really hot when blocked
If the gimbal camera’s movement is obstructed—for example, by a finger or an object in the way—the motors work against the resistance. According to the test, the temperature of the mechanism rises to around 50 °C—a figure that, according to JerryRigEverything, is not an exception but the norm when movement is blocked. For a component that’s constantly in motion and exposed to dust and finger contact, this is an issue that Honor will need to address in a potential second generation.
Only IP54 Instead of IP68: The Dust Test Becomes a Problem
The second point of criticism is more serious: While current Android flagships typically offer IP68 rating—making them completely dustproof—the Honor Robot Phone, according to its spec sheet, only achieves an IP54 rating, meaning limited protection against dust and splash water. The test confirmed why: After Nelson deliberately exposed the gimbal opening to dirt, the camera’s motor system was effectively paralyzed. Even compressed air couldn’t clear the moving mechanism. The device is also not waterproof.
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This is no minor detail, as the entire concept of the Robot Phone hinges on the moving camera. If this very mechanism is the first to fail due to environmental factors, it undermines the smartphone’s core feature.
Teardown: Glued-in Battery and Special Cable for the Mechanism
The subsequent teardown revealed a metal-plastic hybrid construction: The back panel is made of plastic, while the frame and the gimbal arm are made of titanium. Although the battery is relatively easy to access, it is glued in place rather than plugged in, which is a drawback for repairs. Due to the movable camera, Honor has installed special, flexible cable guides that must accommodate the movement of the mechanism without breaking. The bend test—that is, the test to see how well the entire housing withstands bending—yielded unremarkable results.
Technical Specifications of the Honor Robot Phone
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.31-inch LTPO-OLED, 120 Hz, up to 6,800 nits peak brightness |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 |
| Main Camera | 200 MP, f/1.6, 4-DoF titanium gimbal with OIS |
| Telephoto camera | 200 MP, f/2.6, 2.7x optical zoom |
| Ultra-wide-angle | 50 MP, 122° field of view |
| Battery | 7,060 mAh, 120 W wired, 50 W wireless |
| Protection rating | IP54 (no full protection against dust, only splash-proof) |
| Storage | 12 GB/512 GB or 16 GB/1 TB |
| Price | Starting at CNY 9,999 (about 1,280 euros); currently available only in China |
Verdict: An ambitious concept with some teething problems
The Honor Robot Phone remains one of the most unusual smartphone concepts of recent years. The combination of a gimbal camera, ARRI color profiles, and the automatic subject-tracking feature dubbed “YOYO Robot Mode” is clearly aimed at content creators and film enthusiasts. However, the durability test shows that this innovation comes at a price: A movable, motorized camera system is naturally more susceptible to heat, dust, and wear and tear than a fixed lens. Anyone considering this device should handle the gimbal camera with appropriate care; based on this test, extra caution would be advised in places like the beach or a construction site.
A global launch of the Robot Phone outside of China has not yet been confirmed. If Honor decides to move forward, IP certification is likely to be one of the first things the company works on.
