I Used the Rabbit R1 for a Week. Here's Why It's Not Ready for Prime Time

I remember when the Rabbit R1 was announced back at CES in January 2024. The hype was insane. A pocket-sized AI assistant that could do everything your phone does, but better? No more endless app-switching? Sign me up. But then it launched, and the reviews were... mixed. Fast forward to June 2026, and the R1 has been through several updates. I finally got my hands on one last week. I wanted to believe. I really did.

The Promise vs. The Reality

Let me start with the good stuff because there is some. The hardware is actually delightful. It's a bright orange square with a scroll wheel, a screen, and a camera. It feels like a toy from the future. The scroll wheel has a satisfying click, and the device fits in your palm. I wanted to love it just for the design.

But here's the thing: the software is where it falls apart. The R1 is supposed to use a "Large Action Model" to understand your intent and perform tasks across apps without you having to open them. In theory, you say "Book me a table for 2 at that Italian place near Union Square on Friday at 8 PM" and it just does it. In practice, it's a mess.

What Worked

I'll be fair. Some things worked surprisingly well. The music recognition is instant—I was at a bar, heard a song, pulled out the R1, and it identified it in seconds. Better than Shazam, honestly. The timer function is also great. "Set a timer for 15 minutes" worked every time. And the camera for object recognition? I pointed it at a plant and it told me it was a Monstera and gave me care instructions. That was cool.

But that's about where the good list ends.

What Didn't Work

Everything else was a struggle. I tried to have it book a rideshare. "Get me an Uber to JFK." It replied: "I found Uber in your app list. What would you like to do?" I had to then say "Request a ride to JFK." It then asked me to confirm the pickup location. Then it opened the Uber app on my phone anyway. So what was the point?

I tried to send a text message. "Text Sarah that I'm running late." It said: "Who is Sarah?" I said: "Sarah from my contacts." It said: "I don't have access to your contacts. Please sync your phone." I synced my phone. It still didn't work. I had to manually add Sarah to the Rabbit's contacts. In 2026, this is unacceptable.

The assistant mode is also painfully slow. Every request takes 3-5 seconds to process. Which doesn't sound like much, but when you're used to Siri or Google Assistant responding instantly, waiting for the Rabbit to "think" feels like an eternity. I timed it: from pressing the button to getting a response, the average was 4.2 seconds. That's way too slow for a device that's supposed to be faster than your phone.

The Battery Problem

The battery life is also disappointing. Rabbit claims all-day use, but I got about 5 hours of moderate use. And it charges slowly—about 2 hours to go from empty to full. That means you're constantly thinking about charging it. I ended up just leaving it on the charger most of the time, which defeats the purpose of a portable assistant.

The Comparison to Phone Assistants

Here's the uncomfortable truth: your phone already does most of what the R1 does, and it does it better. Siri and Google Assistant are faster, more reliable, and deeply integrated into your apps. The R1 is trying to be a universal controller for all your services, but it doesn't have the permissions or the integration to actually do it well. It's a solution in search of a problem.

I think there's a future for devices like this. The concept of a dedicated AI assistant that's always ready and doesn't distract you with notifications is appealing. But the execution isn't there yet. The R1 feels like a beta product that shipped too early and hasn't caught up.

Should You Buy One?

Honestly? No. Not right now. Unless you're a gadget enthusiast who loves playing with unfinished tech, you'll be frustrated. The R1 is a cool demo, but it's not a daily driver. I put it in my drawer after a week. Maybe in another year, with more updates, it'll be worth it. But for now, your phone is still the best AI assistant you have.

I wanted to love the Rabbit R1. I really did. But it's not ready for prime time.