Plot twist: Google Veo 2 AI hits Honor prior to Pixel
Google is debuting an AI-powered image-to-video tool on Honor smartphones, beating Google Pixel phones to the feature. The tool, powered by Google’s Veo 2 model, will be available on Honor’s upcoming 400 series smartphones.
The feature processes still images into five-second animated clips in portrait or landscape orientation without needing a Gemini subscription or cloud connection. Honor 400 owners can feed the tool any image, whether a new photo, an AI-generated cartoon, or a classic painting, to generate a video with simulated camera moves or animated subjects.
Video: Honor
Honor’s integration of Veo 2 marks the first time the AI video model has been directly integrated into a smartphone. This deal is part of a broader collaboration between Honor and Google Cloud, providing several AI tools beyond the video generator, including Google’s Magic Eraser and AI Outpainting.
The Honor 400 series is set to launch in China and Europe on May 22, 2025, and may also appear in India. The phones start at around $550, with mid- to upper-tier specs. While the devices may not be widely available in the US, the integration of AI tools could attract content creators and AI enthusiasts.
Honor‘s early access to Veo 2 suggests Google is shifting its AI distribution strategy, potentially making AI features available across the Android ecosystem rather than reserving them for Pixel devices. This move could give Google more influence in the Chinese market and beyond.