Honor copies iPhone camera feature using Google Lens

Honor is introducing a dedicated “AI Camera Button” on its new Honor 400 Lite mid-range smartphone, joining the growing trend of specialized hardware controls in modern devices. The physical button offers both standard camera functionality and direct access to Google Lens capabilities, positioning the device to compete in the increasingly AI-focused smartphone market while maintaining an affordable £249.99 price point.

The big picture: Honor’s new physical “AI Camera Button” combines camera controls with AI features, specifically Google Lens integration.

• The button functions as both a shutter control and an AI assistant launcher, mimicking features recently introduced by competitors like Apple and Oppo.
• Honor describes this as an “Android-first” implementation, suggesting they’re bringing Apple-style hardware innovation to the Android ecosystem.

How it works: The AI Camera Button offers multiple interaction methods that control different camera functions.

• A single press opens the camera app and then acts as a traditional shutter button.
• Press-and-hold initiates video recording, while sliding along the button controls zoom functionality.
• The button provides quick access to Google Lens, allowing users to identify objects, translate text in real-time across 100+ languages, and shop for products directly through visual search.

Key specifications: The Honor 400 Lite combines the new AI button with mid-range hardware specifications.

• The device features a 108MP main camera sensor complemented by a 5MP depth sensor and 16MP front-facing camera.
• Other specifications include a 6.7-inch AMOLED display, MediaTek Dimensity 7025-Ultra chipset, 8GB RAM, 256GB storage, and a 5,230 mAh battery.

Market positioning: The Honor 400 Lite will launch in the UK on April 22 for £249.99, available in three colors.

• The combination of dedicated AI hardware controls with a sub-£250 price point positions the device competitively in the mid-range smartphone market.
• The implementation appears to be part of a broader industry trend of moving AI functionality from software-only to dedicated hardware interfaces.