HONOR Unveils Compact Magic9 With Dual 200 MP Cameras and an 8,000 mAh Battery

29/09/2026

HONOR has introduced the HONOR Magic9 in China, a compact flagship with a 6.37-inch display, two 200 MP cameras and an 8,000 mAh battery. The cameras were co-developed with cinema equipment maker ARRI, while performance comes from the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. Phones with top-tier cameras usually come with large screens, so the combination of a small body, a periscope telephoto lens and a high-capacity battery makes the Magic9 stand out.

Two 200 MP cameras and the ARRI partnership

The main camera uses a 200 MP 1/1.4-inch sensor with an f/1.9 aperture and optical image stabilization. Next to it sits a 200 MP periscope telephoto with 3.5x optical zoom (85 mm equivalent), an f/2.6 aperture and OIS, while digital zoom reaches 120x. A 50 MP ultrawide completes the camera module. According to HONOR, stabilization on the main and telephoto cameras is rated at CIPA 7.5, and image processing is handled by the company's own H1 chip.

The main camera records 4K video at up to 120 fps. The 55 MP front camera with a 92° field of view shoots 4K at 60 fps and supports a square format of up to 3840×3840 pixels, so the frame can be cropped to portrait or landscape orientation after recording.

ARRI LogC3 and the brand's ARRI Look color profiles come as part of the ARRI partnership. The log profile leaves more room for color grading, and the camera app includes a dedicated ARRI mode for cinematic shooting.

The G200 teleconverter is available as a separate accessory. The 2.35x attachment extends the telephoto lens's focal length for shooting distant subjects.

Compact body and flat display

The Magic9 features a flat 6.37-inch OLED panel with a 1236×2664 resolution, a 120 Hz refresh rate and 0.95 mm bezels. HONOR claims a peak brightness of 10,000 nits and up to 2,000 nits across the full screen. For users sensitive to flicker, the display uses 3,840 Hz PWM dimming, and supported HDR standards include Dolby Vision and HDR Vivid.

The phone is 8.49 mm thick and weighs 209 g. It carries IP68, IP69 and IP69K ratings, meaning it can withstand not only submersion but also high-pressure, high-temperature water jets. Unlocking is handled by an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, and the frame has dedicated buttons for AI features and the camera.

Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and an 8,000 mAh battery

The phone runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 with two Prime cores clocked at up to 4.6 GHz, six Performance cores at 3.62 GHz and Adreno 840 graphics. The chip is from the previous generation, yet it gives the Magic9 an edge over direct rivals built on MediaTek platforms. LPDDR5X memory is paired with UFS 4.1 storage, and HONOR's in-house HONOR C3 chip improves cellular signal.

Despite the 8.49 mm thickness, the battery has a typical capacity of 8,000 mAh (7,820 mAh rated). It supports 80 W wired and 50 W wireless charging, and can also charge other devices at up to 27 W over a cable or wirelessly.

MagicOS 11 and AI features

The Magic9 runs MagicOS 11 based on Android 17. At the center of the interface is the YOYO assistant, which now has an agent mode for completing tasks, memory and contextual suggestions. Other AI features include a call assistant, speech and on-screen translation, AI subtitles, a calendar, notes and document tools.

AI deepfake detection recognizes face swaps and voice alterations generated by neural networks. The feature complements the built-in protection against phone scams.

Pricing and competition

HONOR has priced the Magic9 below its closest rivals. The OPPO Find X10 and vivo X500 start at 5,499 yuan (~$820) for 12/256 GB, which is 500 yuan more, and both use the MediaTek Dimensity 9600M. HONOR has not yet announced a global launch for the Magic9.

The HONOR Magic9 was unveiled on September 28 in China, with sales starting immediately after the announcement. The 12/256 GB version costs 4,999 yuan (~$745), 12/512 GB 5,499 yuan (~$820), 16/512 GB 5,999 yuan (~$895), and 16 GB/1 TB 6,999 yuan (~$1,040).

Specifications

Display: 6.37" OLED, 1236×2664, 120 Hz, 10,000 nits peak brightness, 3,840 Hz PWM
Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, 2×4.6 GHz + 6×3.62 GHz, Adreno 840
Memory: 12+256 GB, 12+512 GB, 16+512 GB, 16 GB + 1 TB; LPDDR5X, UFS 4.1
Rear camera: 200 MP (1/1.4", f/1.9, OIS) + 200 MP periscope (3.5x, f/2.6, OIS) + 50 MP ultrawide (f/2.0)
Front camera: 55 MP, f/2.0, 92°
Video: up to 4K 120 fps
Battery: 8,000 mAh (typical), 80 W wired, 50 W wireless, 27 W reverse wired charging
OS: MagicOS 11 (Android 17)
Protection: IP68, IP69, IP69K
Connectivity: 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, NFC, IR blaster, USB Type-C
Dimensions and weight: 151.00 × 72.28 × 8.49 mm, 209 g