Honor has introduced its latest innovation, the Robot Phone, which the company describes as a world-first, during its participation in LEAP 2026 in Riyadh. This marks the device’s first international appearance in the Middle East and Africa, aligning with Honor’s broader strategy to expand beyond smartphones into a comprehensive ecosystem of AI-driven devices.
Alpha Plan: From Vision to Reality
At the conference, Honor presented its vision under the theme “Alpha Plan: From Vision to Reality,” showcasing advancements in artificial intelligence, robotics, cinematic imaging, and connected devices. This initiative coincides with the company’s new corporate direction, “DARE TO BE.”
Li Kunming, Honor’s Executive Director of Marketing for the Middle East and Africa, stated that the company’s participation in LEAP 2026 reflected the transition of the Alpha Plan from concept to reality. He noted that the Robot Phone and related robotics and connected ecosystem innovations demonstrate how Honor aims to make AI more attuned to everyday user needs. He also emphasized Saudi Arabia’s pivotal role in Honor’s growth and innovation journey in AI and digital technologies.
Robot Phone: A Device That Moves and Tracks Users
The Robot Phone took center stage at Honor’s booth, representing a new category of devices that merge AI, robotics, and cinematic imaging. The phone features an integrated robotic mechanical stabilization system that enables it to move, track individuals, and interact with its surroundings, offering new possibilities for more automated content creation.
LEAP 2026 served as the international debut for the Robot Phone in the Middle East and Africa, making the region the first external market to experience the device.
Honor also highlighted its collaboration with ARRI, a company specializing in cinema and professional imaging technologies. The partnership aims to combine ARRI’s cinematic expertise with Honor’s AI and robotics capabilities to develop more advanced imaging experiences.
Beyond the Phone: A Comprehensive Smart Ecosystem
Honor’s presence at the event extended beyond the Robot Phone. The booth displayed a range of devices, including smartphones, computers, tablets, and wearables, with an emphasis on their ability to function within a unified ecosystem for work, entertainment, sports, and learning.
The company also revealed the HONOR Robotics D1, part of its vision for a future that brings together humans, AI, and robotics. Honor reiterated that its goal is to enhance user capabilities, not replace them.
The “DARE TO BE” strategy reflects Honor’s commitment to developing an open, interconnected ecosystem of devices and AI technologies, supported by innovations such as Agentic OS and AiMAGE.
Strong Growth in the Middle East and Saudi Arabia
Honor reported that its business in the Middle East and Africa grew by 35% during the first half of 2026, despite a 13% decline in the regional smartphone market over the same period. The company also noted that it secured the second position among the largest smartphone brands in the Middle East, following a 73% year-on-year growth in the first quarter of the year.
Saudi Arabia has been a key driver of this expansion, becoming Honor’s leading market in terms of tablet market share. Additionally, the growth of Honor’s AIoT (AI-powered connected smart devices) segment in the country exceeded 500%.
Sales of the HONOR Earbuds Clip surpassed 100,000 units in the Saudi market, signaling the company’s increasing presence in the connected smart devices sector.
Honor plans to continue its expansion in the Kingdom by strengthening its retail network and after-sales services, developing local partnerships, and broadening collaboration with Saudi Arabia’s technology and innovation ecosystem.
