You’d expect Google’s flashiest AI tools to land on its own Pixel phones first. But in a surprising twist, it’s Honor, a Chinese brand spun out of Huawei, that’s getting first dibs on Google’s new image-to-video AI feature.
Launching with the Honor 400 series on May 22, the new tool is powered by Google’s Veo 2 model, which transforms still images into five-second video clips in either portrait or landscape. It’s a native feature in the phone’s Gallery app, meaning no Gemini subscription, no internet connection, or no text prompts is required. Just pick a photo, tap, and wait a minute or two for the result.
While Gemini Advanced users can test Veo 2 through a web interface, Pixel owners get… nothing. This marks the first time an AI video generator is built directly into a smartphone, leapfrogging even heavyweights like OpenAI’s Sora, Alibaba’s Qwen, or Runway’s Gen-2.
Google Veo 2 vs. OpenAI Sora: Which Is a Better AI Video Generation Model?
We put Veo2 and Sora to the test, comparing video quality, ease of use, and creative control to see which AI video model actually delivers for creators.
So, why Honor? It’s part of a deeper Google Cloud partnership, likely aiming to give Google more AI presence in China and Europe, where the Honor 400 series will debut (and possibly India). It’s a strategic move that frames Google not just as a device-maker, but as a platform player in the wider Android ecosystem.
Of course, cool AI tricks are only useful if the phone delivers elsewhere. The Honor 400 and 400 Pro appear to hold their own, with mid-to-high-tier specs and pricing around $550, as per reports. Google is also packing in other tools to the Honor devices like Magic Eraser and AI Outpainting, making the Gallery and Camera apps creative hubs in their own right.
The bigger takeaway? Google may be shifting from Pixel-first to Android-everywhere, letting partner brands roll out headline AI features to gain faster traction and broader usage.
For content creators and casual users alike, this is a big deal: the ability to shoot, edit, and animate, all from one app, on one device, is closer than ever. And while Pixel fans might feel snubbed, this could signal a future where Android becomes the true canvas for Google’s generative AI ambitions.
Honor introduces DeepSeek R1 support for selected devices
The feature is limited to China for now, with no word on a global roll out yet.
