Last month, Google unveiled Veo 2, its latest model for AI-driven video creation. This advanced tool can produce eight-second video clips but requires a subscription to Gemini. Those subscribed to Google One’s AI Premium also gain access to Whisk, an image-generating platform that now allows users to animate their images through Veo 2. (Currently, users without a subscription are not included.)

One might assume that as soon as Veo 2 becomes available for free, it would first be accessible to Pixel users, following Google’s trend of prioritizing their smartphone lineup for new features. However, with Veo 2, the initial smartphones benefiting from this offering are not Pixels but rather Honor devices—a brand that isn’t even available for purchase in the U.S.

Veo 2 on Honor Smartphones

As detailed by The Verge, users who buy the Honor 400 or 400 Pro can access Veo 2 free of charge through the Gallery app for an initial two-month period. Unlike Whisk, which limits users to animating their own generated images, Honor users have the freedom to animate photos they have taken themselves.

Dominic Preston from The Verge has tested a compatible Honor phone and demonstrated the new feature. One notable example showcased an image of Grant Nicholas, the vocalist of Feeder, caught mid-lyric while playing his guitar. Once processed with Veo 2, the image was transformed into a brief video clip that, if one weren’t aware, could easily be mistaken for a low-resolution recording from an actual performance. (The Verge clarified that the clips had to be converted to GIF format for inclusion, which slightly impacts visual quality.)

Preston praised the feature’s performance with straightforward subjects, such as his pet cat. However, Veo 2 faced difficulties with more intricate images. In one instance, a vintage car image resulted in the car being rotated without the wheels moving, creating an odd effect. Another example of tomatoes had Veo 2 animate a hand reaching for the fruits, but initially, the hand appeared transparent, leading to a humorous visual blunder.

Honor has imposed a limit of 20 generated videos per day. According to The Verge, Honor mentioned that Google will eventually provide a subscription model for this feature, although specific details remain under wraps.

Who’s the Target Audience?

Even without these restrictions, it’s uncertain who might find this feature particularly valuable beyond a novelty. Sure, new Honor smartphone users may enjoy experimenting with AI-generated videos of their favorite photos for a short period, but the utility remains questionable. Who needs to frequently process their images through a finicky video creation tool, especially if a subscription will ultimately be necessary?

It’s certainly unusual for Google to roll out this feature on a non-Pixel device first, but in reality, Pixel users likely won’t feel they’re missing out on anything significant.