AI Hardware Revolution Kicks Off: Phones Grow "Limbs," Robots Ditch Remotes | MWC Insights

The 2026 World Mobile Communication Congress showcased a proliferation of AI hardware in various forms. Humanoid robots, AI glasses, and robotic phones emerged as key highlights. Empowered by large AI models, humanoid robots are achieving voice control, eliminating the need for remote devices. Major internet companies are experimenting with AI glasses, seeking new avenues for commercialization beyond costly marketing campaigns. Even the traditional form of the mobile phone is being reimagined, with the advent of robotic phones surprising industry observers.

A significant shift observed at this year's MWC is the evolution from AI simply being implemented on hardware to AI now actively defining hardware design, leading to more dynamic and adaptable device forms. Whether phone manufacturers or internet firms, the entity that first discovers the most natural interface between AI and the physical world is poised to define the next generation of end-user devices.

Phone manufacturers are collectively entering the robotics arena. During MWC, Honor globally launched its first humanoid robot, the Honor ROBOT. This AI-controlled robot demonstrated capabilities like dancing, performing backflips, and replicating the moonwalk, attracting significant attention from attendees and media.

Honor is not the first phone maker to venture into humanoid robotics. As early as August 2022, XIAOMI-W introduced its first full-size humanoid bionic robot, CyberOne (also known as "Tieda"), primarily targeted for home care and companionship. In March 2025, vivo announced the establishment of a robotics lab focused on developing products for personal and home environments. Although XIAOMI-W did not exhibit a humanoid robot at this MWC, updates were shared. On March 2nd, Lei Jun, Chairman and CEO of XIAOMI-W Group, stated that XIAOMI-W robots have begun internships in automotive factories, achieving autonomous operation in tasks like self-tapping nut station work and container transportation. He also revealed that a large number of humanoid robots are expected to be deployed in XIAOMI-W factories within the next five years.

Industry analysts believe one reason for phone manufacturers' push into robotics is the slowing growth of the smartphone market, prompting a search for new revenue streams. A recent IDC report indicated that China's smartphone shipments reached approximately 284 million units in 2025, a year-on-year decrease of 0.6%.

Technological expertise accumulated by phone makers also provides a foundation for their robotics endeavors. Lu Weibing, Partner, President, and President of the Mobile Phone Division at XIAOMI-W Group, explained in discussions that XIAOMI-W's investments in core technologies like chips, operating systems, and robotics are interconnected, with strong commonalities that support the future intelligent and large-scale application of robots.

Beyond phone manufacturers, other tech companies are also developing humanoid robot technologies and applications. For instance, iFlytek exhibited a humanoid guide service robot at its booth. According to staff, the robot's base unit was sourced from Unitree Robotics, with iFlytek modifying the "robot brain" to enhance multimodal voice interaction and perceptual expression. Unlike typical humanoid robots requiring remote control, this robot can be operated directly by voice and performed dances live.

China Mobile set up an unmanned restaurant at the event, where tasks like ordering, meal preparation, and delivery were collaboratively handled by embodied intelligent robots. This demonstrates that Chinese companies are not only advancing the hardware and software of humanoid robots but also exploring practical application scenarios to drive commercialization.

Large AI models are expanding beyond simple chat applications. During the recent Spring Festival, major internet companies engaged in intense marketing battles for their AI apps. Tencent's Yuanbao launched a cash giveaway event distributing 1 billion RMB, while Alibaba's Qianwen offered "3 billion RMB in free orders," allowing users to order milk tea for free using AI.

These cash incentives proved effective. QuestMobile data showed that during the holiday, three major AI apps reached record daily active user (DAU) highs: Doubao peaked on New Year's Eve with 145 million DAU; Qianwen reached its peak the day after its campaign started with 73.52 million DAU; and Yuanbao achieved 40.54 million DAU.

However, as the festive period ends and incentives dwindle, it remains uncertain how long users will retain these AI apps downloaded primarily for freebies and红包. Beyond user retention, such consumer-facing AI applications face business model challenges regarding how to monetize and recoup the substantial marketing expenditures.

Consequently, major players are also turning their attention to the AI hardware sector. A notable trend at this MWC was the concentrated emergence of AI glasses. Alibaba's personal AI assistant "Qianwen" officially entered the hardware market by launching its first同名 AI glasses, available for pre-order online and offline. The Qianwen AI glasses debut with two series, S1 and G1, equipped with the latest Qianwen large model, supporting functions like HD photography, AI translation, meeting transcription, and object recognition for core life and office scenarios. The post-subsidy price starts as low as 1,997 RMB.

Insiders revealed that besides AI glasses, Qianwen plans to release an AI ring and AI earphones within the year, targeting the global market. Simultaneously, iFlytek globally premiered its iFlytek AI glasses at MWC, featuring multimodal noise reduction, comprehensive translation, and multimodal recording capabilities. The product also achieved a breakthrough in lightweight design, weighing only 40 grams.

Why are internet companies testing the waters with AI glasses? IDC predicts that global smart glasses shipments will exceed 23.687 million units by 2026, with the Chinese market surpassing 4.915 million units, entering a phase of规模化 growth. Compared to the cash-burning marketing of large model apps, AI glasses integrated with large models present a viable monetization pathway.

AI is also transforming the very form of mobile phones. Previously, the collaboration between ByteDance's AI assistant Doubao and ZTE to create the Doubao phone stirred the mobile and internet industries, even prompting restrictive measures from several internet companies.

At this MWC, ZTE showcased multiple AI phones, highlighting advanced capabilities from the deep integration of AI Agents with operating systems. Exhibits included the Nubia M153 with a technical preview of the Doubao phone assistant and the flagship Nubia Z80 Ultra equipped with Stepfun's GUI Agent. Both AI phones feature AI assistants deeply embedded into the system底层, enabling them to execute tasks by calling tools across different applications based on user commands.

Honor presented an even more futuristic vision for AI phones by combining a smartphone with an embodied intelligent robot, creating the Robot Phone. This device integrates two core AI capabilities: embodied intelligent interaction and flagship-level imaging. Supported by the Honor AI Agent, the Robot Phone possesses lifelike multimodal interaction abilities, including rich emotional body language and rhythmic movement modes. It also features a three-axis mechanical image stabilization gimbal camera and a 200-megapixel sensor, delivering an embodied intelligent imaging experience.

From phones to glasses and humanoid robots, the integration of large AI models with hardware is creating synergies that exceed public expectations. This likely encapsulates the true meaning of this MWC's theme, "Intelligence Ushers in a New Era."