News

HONOR Robot Phone officially launches after its MWC debut

Ready for consumers

Published

August 12, 2026

Rodneil Quiteles

The HONOR Robot Phone is finally becoming a real product.

First shown at MWC 2026, HONOR has now officially launched the unusual smartphone. It’s bringing its moving camera system, AI-powered controls, and ARRI imaging technology to a commercial device.

The Robot Phone stands out because its camera doesn’t simply sit inside the phone. A built-in mechanical gimbal allows the camera to physically move, while AI features can help control that movement.

HONOR is positioning the device as a new kind of smartphone for people who want more freedom when shooting photos and videos.

A camera that can physically move

The Robot Phone’s standout feature is its 4DoF mechanical gimbal. HONOR’s Titanium Agile Gimbal uses more than 100 precision components and is backed by more than 100 patents. The company says it reduced the system’s size by 65% compared with traditional gimbals while increasing its structural strength by 200%.

In practical terms, the gimbal lets the phone’s camera physically move instead of relying entirely on software to stabilize footage. Its titanium motor can rotate at up to 360 degrees per second, allowing the camera to quickly change direction.

The phone supports six camera movement modes, including AI SpinShot, Tilt Locked, Super Steady, FPV, and FPV Vertical. It also has three tracking modes for following subjects and setting up compositions.

That could give smartphone creators more control over moving shots without having to carry a separate gimbal.

AI can control the camera

The Robot Phone also combines its moving hardware with AI.

Its YOYO Robot Mode can use voice commands, gestures, and AI-powered tracking to control the camera. Voice Source Localization and AI Live-Tracking can automatically pan and tilt the camera. This keeps a person in frame during activities such as vlogging, livestreaming, and video calls.

The briefing materials also show how specific these controls can get. Users can give commands such as telling the camera to turn left by a certain angle, look toward the sky, or rotate for a set amount of time.

The idea is simple: instead of always pointing the phone yourself, you can tell the phone where and how you want it to look.

YOYO can also perform more general tasks through HONOR’s agentic AI features, including multi-step actions across supported apps and system settings.

HONOR brings ARRI into the camera

The Robot Phone also marks the first product milestone from HONOR’s Cinematic Imaging Partnership with ARRI.

The collaboration brings selected elements of ARRI Image Science and professional cinema workflows to the smartphone. The main camera supports 10-bit ARRI LogC3 recording, while the phone also supports ARRI Wide Gamut 3 and ARRI Looks.

In simpler terms, these technologies are designed to give creators more control over the look and color of their footage, particularly when they edit it afterward.

HONOR says the phone’s imaging pipeline processes image data in 14-bit 4:4:4 before outputting 10-bit LogC3 and 4:2:2 video. It also claims up to 14 stops of dynamic range and an 8dB improvement in video signal-to-noise ratio through AI noise reduction.

The resulting footage can be brought into software such as DaVinci Resolve. There, creators can apply ARRI LUTs as part of a capture-to-edit workflow.

We’ll have more to say about that workflow once we get our hands on the Robot Phone.

Flagship hardware underneath

The Robot Phone isn’t all camera tricks. It is also equipped like a flagship smartphone.

The phone runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Mobile Platform and includes HONOR’s H1 Imaging Chip. It has a 7,060mAh silicon-carbon battery with 120W wired and 50W wireless charging.

For photography, there’s a 200MP Agile Gimbal Main Camera with a 1/1.28-inch sensor and f/1.6 aperture. It’s joined by a 200MP periscope telephoto camera with a 1/1.4-inch sensor and 2.7x optical zoom, plus a 50MP ultra-wide camera.

The phone has a 6.31-inch LTPO OLED display with a 1–120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 6,800 nits. It comes in 12GB + 512GB and 16GB + 1TB configurations.

HONOR says the Robot Phone will be available in Grey and Silver in China, with pricing and availability details to be announced at launch.

The Robot Phone has spent months making appearances at major events. Now, after its MWC debut and subsequent showcases, HONOR is finally putting the device on the path to becoming something consumers can actually buy.

Pricing and availability

The HONOR Robot Phone starts at RMB 9,999 (around USD 1,483) for the 12GB + 512GB model, while the 16GB + 1TB version costs RMB 12,999 (around USD 1,928).

Pre-orders open in China on August 12 at 8:30 PM, with sales officially starting on August 18 at 10:08 AM. The phone will be available through HONOR’s online and retail channels.

News

Sony revives classic Walkman headphones with USB-C MDR-3R

Iconic 1980s headphones

Published

November 6, 2026

Rodneil Quiteles

Sony is bringing back one of its iconic Walkman-era headphones with the MDR-3R. The new wired headphones modernize the original MDR-3 with USB-C connectivity and updated features.

Introduced in 1979, the original Walkman and MDR-3 headphones helped popularize portable music listening. The MDR-3R carries that legacy forward with a familiar design and modern conveniences.

The headphones retain the original’s lightweight, open-ear construction. They also feature interchangeable blue and orange ear pads. Sony even gives the packaging and instruction manual a design inspired by the original model.

The MDR-3R connects to compatible smartphones and other devices through USB-C. Users can listen to music without charging, pairing, or installing updates. A built-in microphone and in-line remote also make calls and playback controls more convenient.

Sony equipped the headphones with the same 23mm driver units as the original MDR-3. The company also tuned them to closely reproduce the original’s sound signature. They deliver balanced audio, natural vocals, and the emotional richness associated with Sony headphones.

Sony MDR-3R gets a Stranger Things edition

Sony is also launching a special MDR-3R Stranger Things Edition. The collaboration celebrates the 1980s inspiration shared by the Walkman era and Netflix’s popular series.

Inspired by Max’s signature headphone style and the mysterious Upside Down, the special edition features exclusive design details. These include an engraved Stranger Things logo and custom packaging.

Sony also considered environmental impact when developing the headphones. Approximately 25 percent of the plastic used in the product comes from recycled materials. The packaging is also plastic-free.

Price and availability

Sony has opened preorders for the MDR-3R and MDR-3R Stranger Things Edition. Availability and pricing vary by market.

In the United States, the standard MDR-3R costs US$59.99, while the Stranger Things Edition costs US$79.99. The standard model is available through Sony and authorized retailers.

In Singapore, both models will launch in December 2026. The standard MDR-3R costs SG$89, while the Stranger Things Edition costs SG$129. Both are exclusive to Sony Stores and Sony Store Online.

In the Philippines, Sony has yet to announce local pricing and availability. Based on US pricing, the headphones would cost approximately PHP 3,500 for the standard edition and PHP 4,700 for the Stranger Things Edition, before local taxes and retail adjustments.

Entertainment

The Fellowship of the Ring in Concert finally arrives in Manila

The run goes from March 4 to 6 at Solaire.

Published

November 6, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

As far as films in concert go, The Lord of the Rings is the classic experience for fans. Since 2008, the concert experience has been touring the globe, enamoring fans of the series with live renditions of Howard Shore’s iconic soundtrack. Now, the experience is finally arriving in Manila. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring in Concert will run in the Philippines from March 4 through 6 next year.

There’s a reason why the iconic trilogy is the classic experience for films in concert. Besides being a legendary film franchise, the series features Howard Shore’s Academy Award-winning score. Fans will likely still recognize the dulcet strings of the Shire or the grandiose crescendo of the Fellowship.

From March 4 to 6, The Fellowship of the Ring in Concert will run at The Theatre in Solaire. Under the baton of Reuben Blundell, the concert will star the 96-member Filharmonika Orchestra, the Philippine Madrigal Singers’ 100-member adult choir and 50-member boys’ choir, and soloist Malena Rampi.

Film Community Philippines members can get exclusive pre-sale access from November 9 to 11. Meanwhile, public ticket sales will start on November 20 via TicketWorld.com.ph.

Gaming

The next Elder Scrolls game is called Sentinel

And it will be set in Hammerfell.

Published

November 4, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Can you believe that it’s been over eight years since Bethesda announced The Elder Scrolls VI. Since then, we’ve seen neither hide nor hair of the upcoming title. Today, the studio has mercifully revealed a tiny bit more about the game including its title and setting.

Historically, the Elder Scrolls franchise is not known for its numbering. It’s not The Elder Scrolls III, IV, and V; it’s Morrowind, Oblivion, and Skyrim. Now, we know what The Elder Scrolls VI will be called — Sentinel.

The name is also a huge clue as to where the game will take place. Besides being the name of the game itself, Sentinel is also the capital of Hammerfell, a region in northwest Tamriel. The teaser, which shows a sword being uncovered from a pile of sand, confirms this. After all, the Alik’r Desert is one of the region’s highlights.

Now, Hammerfell is not a new region for players. The region, especially the titular Sentinel, was previously featured in The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall. Obviously, not a lot of gamers would have played this classic game before, so a return will introduce the region to a lot more modern players.

Unfortunately, despite throwing us a bone with the name and the setting, Bethesda did not reveal when the title is coming. Given that Grand Theft Auto VI is launching very soon, the time is ripe for the launch of another much-awaited title.