Honor's 'unique' smartphone accused of imitating Apple and Sony

The Robot Phone's rotating camera cluster. Photo: The Verge .

Honor has just released a video introducing the Robot Phone, a device that the company describes as a breakthrough in Plan Alpha, aiming for a future where humans and machines interact more closely. However, this video is causing controversy because many design details are similar to products from Apple and Sony.

Alongside the Magic 8 series, Honor revealed a new AI phone in development. According to the description, this device will "redefine the coexistence between humans and machines". However, the way it is presented in the video makes viewers strongly think of familiar brands.

The video opens with the words iPhone before changing to AiPhone, a play on words suggesting an AI phone. The scene then switches to a model that looks quite similar to the iPhone 17 Pro, albeit only briefly. Many observers say Honor is referring to the design language that Apple has been shaping for years, and is now being adopted by many smartphone companies in China.

Not only that, the back of the device in the video also has similarities with the Sony Alpha logo, Sony's famous mirrorless camera line. This detail makes viewers question the level of inspiration Honor took when creating the image for Robot Phone.

When closed, the Robot Phone has a back design similar to the iPhone 17 Pro. Photo: 9to5google.

In the video, Honor describes the new AI phone as a living entity, with some scenes showing the Robot Phone recording itself while the owner simply stands nearby.

According to Honor, this is a step forward in the Alpha Plan, aiming to narrow the gap between user value and AI models. However, the video does not reveal details about hardware or software, leading many to believe that this is just an initial idea or a promotional teaser.

Honor said it will announce more information about the Robot Phone project at Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2026, where the company is expected to share more details about its AI direction and development plans for the device.

Source: https://znews.vn/smartphone-moi-cua-honor-bi-to-nhai-apple-va-sony-post1594280.html