The world’s first “robot phone” made its debut at MWC 2026, held in Barcelona, Spain, from March 2 to 5, 2026. This year’s theme was “The New Era of Intelligence.” Over 350 Chinese technology companies showcased their innovations at the event, marking a significant breakthrough in the industry. MWC 2026 served as a platform to display China’s technological prowess.
At the previous MWC in March 2025, participants experienced head-mounted display devices. According to reports, the number of Chinese tech companies at MWC 2026 surged to more than 350, a substantial increase from the previous year. These companies span the entire industry chain, including telecommunications operations, equipment supply, terminal manufacturing, and core components. Major players such as Huawei, ZTE, vivo, Alibaba, Xiaomi, and Honor showcased their offerings, focusing on enhancing user experiences through technology integration.
This year’s exhibition also featured computing power solutions from companies like Huawei and ZTE, providing diverse options for the global market. AI is rapidly becoming the central engine of the intelligent world, and the convergence of traditional communications with AI, embodied intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), and XR technologies is an inevitable trend. However, due to a memory chip shortage driven by AI, IDC forecasts a 12.9% decline in global smartphone shipments in 2026, totaling 1.12 billion units, marking the largest drop in the industry due to this shortage.
Dr. Wang Jiping, Vice President of IDC Global and China, commented at MWC, “Given this outlook, more manufacturers are turning their attention to products related to robotics and AIoT (Artificial Intelligence of Things).” Among the highlights of MWC, Honor introduced the world’s first “robot phone,” the ROBOT PHONE, which is expected to launch in the second half of this year. It has received acclaim from overseas tech media and analysts.
The ROBOT PHONE features the industry’s smallest “four-degree-of-freedom” gimbal system, allowing it to move, twist, and turn like a human neck, enabling comprehensive awareness of the surrounding environment. It also boasts “embodied AI interaction” capabilities, such as all-scenario AI video calls, expressive emotional body language, and the ability to dance to music, transforming the phone into an interactive “AI partner.” This innovative design breaks away from the conventional “black box” look of smartphones.
Additionally, Honor launched its first embodied intelligent humanoid robot, becoming the first mobile company to enter the humanoid robot consumer market. Dr. Wang Jiping praised this as “one of the most impressive releases from Honor in recent years.” Another notable exhibitor was Transsion, a Chinese smartphone manufacturer dubbed the “King of African Phones,” which showcased an ultra-thin modular concept phone with a thickness of just 4.9mm. This sleek device retains essential core functions and can connect to accessories using “magnetic interconnection technology,” allowing users to attach various peripherals like camera grips and game controllers, illustrating Chinese manufacturers’ diverse attempts at innovation in terminal forms.
Besides smartphone companies, Chinese robotics firms, including Honor, also participated in the Barcelona exhibition, with Alibaba’s Qianwen set to unveil AI glasses. IDC analyst Rmazon remarked at MWC that the “robot phone” combining AI intelligence is seen as a promising breakthrough for the industry, suitable for various global markets, especially in film production and other innovative fields. IDC’s report indicates that in the past year, AI applications and terminal devices have experienced explosive growth, with global monthly active users surpassing 1 billion and AI phones accounting for over half of new shipments, while new terminal devices like AI glasses have seen annual growth rates exceeding 50%.
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