Meet 'Robot Phones': New Smartphones Enhance Photography, AI Applications

Chinese smartphone brands – including Vivo, OPPO and Honor – are escalating competition by introducing major upgrades in industrial design, artificial intelligence application and 200-megapixel cameras. The latest devices are blurring the line between a smartphone and a professional camera, even pursuing the vision of a "robot phone."

The innovation push comes amid a hyper-competitive domestic market. According to International Data Corp, China's smartphone sales totaled 68.4 million units in the third quarter, posting a minor 0.6 percent year-on-year decrease. The top six brands – Vivo, Apple, Huawei, Xiaomi, OPPO and Honor – are locked in a close contest, with market share gaps of barely one percentage point.

The fierce battle is highlighted by a flood of new product launches in the recent week from major players aiming to capture the "gold rush" period ahead of China's Double 11 November shopping festival, the world's biggest online sales extravaganza.

Design innovation is split between optimizing slimness and maximizing photographic capability.

The ultra-thin iPhone Air, which removes the physical SIM card slot, finally began Chinese pre-orders on October 17 after a month-long regulatory delay. The device sold out in minutes, coinciding with Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook's second visit to China this year. Chinese rivals Huawei and OPPO are also planning to release eSIM-only phones soon.

Market leader Vivo is focusing on camera experience with its new flagship Vivo X300 series. The company unveiled a photographer kit featuring a telephoto extender, allowing users to achieve an extended focal length of up to 800 millimeters for shooting pop stars in concert stages, flying birds and even the moon clearly.

At a release event in Shanghai, Vivo said it is prioritizing exceptional photography over thinness at the expense of camera quality and battery life.

Honor unveiled a concept smartphone with a camera that folds out of the device using a robotic arm, dubbed a "robot phone." More details are scheduled to be revealed at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona early next year.

Almost all vendors are heavily emphasizing artificial intelligence applications, with the trend shifting toward fully capable AI agents in phones.

Honor's newly released Magic 8 is leading this charge with its in-device AI agent Yoyo, which it claims has the capacity for "thought, perception and planning, growing alongside users through self-learning." The phone features new AI tools, including features that scan Chinese e-commerce sites for personalized deals, hail a taxi or remove unexpected strangers from photos -- all processed using on-device AI for enhanced security and privacy.

"From benchmarking against the iPhone in the past to today's AI phones, we will see the emergence of robot phones," said Honor Chief Executive Li Jian. "AI will ultimately transform lifestyles."

Honor, which is applying for an initial public offering in China, is backing this vision with a planned investment of US$10 billion over the next five years.

International Data Corp said it expects accelerated consumer demand for the latest AI smartphones will drive a strong finish for the market in 2025.

The new standard for high-end photography in the Chinese market is the 200-megapixel camera, with brands differentiating through specialized features for professional-level shooting.

OPPO's new Find X9, released last Thursday, features a 200 megapixel camera designed for high image quality. It is partnering with lifestyle platform RedNote for optimized photo-sharing. The device is also enhanced with improved waterproofing and durability for outdoor use.

"Now you no longer have to carry a heavy camera on a trip," said Peter Liu, OPPO's chief product officer.

The Vivo X300 Pro delivers advanced motion tracking, boasting millisecond-level shutter response and a tracking stability boost of over 200 percent. This is specifically tailored for scenarios like sporting events and concert photography, helping Vivo secure the top spot in China's "concert phone" rental market for seven consecutive months.

For Honor, its 200-megapixel camera has enhanced photography performance in low-light environment. It calls the Magic 8 the "night king" model.