Google’s advanced AI video generation technology, Veo 2, is set to make its image-to-video debut on Honor’s upcoming smartphones, the Honor 400 and 400 Pro, launching May 22. This strategic partnership allows Google to deploy its cutting-edge AI models on third-party hardware, providing early access to a significant AI capability for buyers of the new Honor devices.
The integration is particularly notable as this specific feature is launching on Honor phones before it becomes broadly available to users of Google’s own Gemini AI service.
The AI tool, powered by Google’s Veo 2 model, transforms static images into five-second video clips, supporting both portrait and landscape orientations. The generation process typically takes a minute or two per video.
Integrated directly into the Gallery app on the new Honor phones, the feature prioritizes simplicity, notably lacking an option to include a text prompt alongside the image. Honor 400 owners will receive free access to the image-to-video feature for the initial two months, subject to a daily limit of 10 video generations per day. The Honor 400 series models are being marketed as “Portrait Master” devices by the company.
Beyond a snapshot.
HONOR 400 Series can effortlessly transform your images into captivating videos with AI Image to Video – breathing new life into your stills. Spark Daily Wonder with HONOR 400 Series – coming 22nd May, 2025. #HONOR400 #SparkDailyWonder pic.twitter.com/ddRPYohGit
— HONOR (@Honorglobal) May 12, 2025
Veo 2 Capabilities and Context
Developed by Google DeepMind, Veo 2 represents Google’s next-generation AI video generator, capable of producing outputs up to 4K resolution. This is a significant upgrade from its predecessor’s 1080p limit. Google states the model was trained on “language of cinematography” to replicate nuanced filmmaking techniques, allowing users to influence cinematic elements like depth of field, lighting, and lens effects through text prompts in other implementations, cinematic controls.
While the Honor phone implementation simplifies the input to just an image, the underlying Veo 2 engine is the same one that has demonstrated the ability to handle intricate visual scenarios with remarkable detail, such as recreating a beekeeper amidst a swarm of bees or a scientist under fluorescent lighting (see this official YouTube playlist). It’s important to note that Veo 2 does not generate audio; users need to add music or voiceovers separately.
Google has positioned Veo 2 as a strong competitor in the burgeoning AI video generation space. Internal evaluations reportedly showed that “59% of users in internal evaluations preferred Veo 2 over Sora Turbo, highlighting its technical superiority.”
While OpenAI’s competitor Sora is currently limited to 1080p resolution and shorter clip durations, Veo 2 supports higher resolutions and can generate longer clips.. The model aims to address common AI video pitfalls, including awkward motion and unrealistic visuals.
Veo 2 Rollout and Ethical Considerations
The launch on Honor phones follows Veo 2’s gradual rollout across Google’s own ecosystem. It was first introduced publicly for YouTube Shorts in February 2025, integrated into the Dream Screen feature to allow creators to apply visual styles using natural language. Veo 2 also became accessible to select US users on Google’s AI Studio platform via the Gemini API around April 11. Access through AI Studio currently offers 720p resolution, 24 frames per second, and 8-second maximum video duration, priced at $0.35 per second.
More recently, Google expanded Veo 2 access to Gemini Advanced subscribers as part of the $19.99/month AI Premium plan. This consumer-facing access also allows for generating 8-second, 720p video clips based on text prompts.
However, advanced features like time-lapse, multi-shot sequencing, and background editing tools remain exclusive to the Vertex AI’s feature preview, Google’s commercial offering for enterprise video workflows, where the cost is $0.50 per second. The rollout strategy appears tiered, balancing accessibility with performance and feature sets across different user groups and platforms.
Google’s broader vision involves integrating its Gemini and Veo AI models to enhance understanding of the physical world, potentially leading to unified, multimodal AI applications.yo
As with many advanced generative AI tools, the deployment of Veo 2 raises ethical considerations, particularly regarding training data and potential misuse. Google integrates its SynthID watermarking technology into Veo 2. This invisible digital signature is intended to help identify AI-generated videos, aligning with C2PA standards. However, the effectiveness of SynthID relies on third-party platforms supporting detection and enforcement.
Google has remained largely opaque about the datasets used to train its models. While YouTube creators have an opt-in system for AI training permissions, Google retains the right to use publicly available videos for its own AI development under existing terms.
YouTube maintains that “accessing creator content in unauthorized ways, such as unauthorized scraping, remains prohibited”, but critics argue this doesn’t fully address concerns about involuntary model contributions. The impending enforcement of the European Union’s AI Act may demand greater transparency regarding disclosure of the used datasets.
Honor’s AI Suite
Beyond the image-to-video feature, Honor is also introducing other AI capabilities on the 400 series, including AI Outpainting and AI Eraser. According to Eric Fang, Senior Director of Product Planning at Honor, the AI image-to-video feature “streamlines the production process by generating engaging video content from still images in seconds, ideal for social media, advertising, or storytelling.”
He also stated that “protecting user privacy is Honor’s top priority, and user data will not be used for training.” While initial AI features won’t require an Honor account, some advanced functions might require a login in the future. The standard Honor 400 features a dual-lens camera setup with a unique asymmetrical bump, while the Pro variant has a triangular setup with three lenses, according to Huawei Central.
