Honor Magic9 Launches in China: A Compact Flagship with ARRI Cameras and Aggressive Pricing

 

The Honor Magic9 (pictured) packs a 200 MP main camera and a 200 MP telephoto into a compact body.

Honor has officially unveiled its latest compact flagship, the Magic9, in China. The device is now available for purchase through Honor Mall, authorized e-commerce platforms, experience stores, and retail partners across the country. Positioned as a "small-screen imaging flagship," the Magic9 stands out for its camera system co-developed with ARRI, marking a significant partnership for the brand.

Display and Design

The Honor Magic9 features a 6.37-inch flat 1.5K LTPS OLED display with a smooth 120 Hz refresh rate and 3,840 Hz PWM dimming for reduced eye strain. The screen boasts ultra-narrow 0.95 mm bezels, giving it a modern, immersive look. Honor rates peak brightness at an impressive 10,000 nits, with 2,000 nits available in high-brightness mode.

The phone measures just 8.49 mm thick and weighs 209 grams, making it relatively portable for a device packed with flagship hardware. Buyers can choose from four color options: Popcorn Yellow, Olive Green, Morning White, and Curtain Black.

Performance and Battery

Under the hood, the Magic9 runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5—a last-generation chip that still delivers formidable performance. It's paired with LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.1 storage for fast multitasking and quick file access. Honor has also included its C3 RF enhancement chip and E2 chip to improve connectivity and overall efficiency. For those interested in how this processor stacks up against competitors, you can check out a detailed mobile processor benchmark list.

The battery is a standout feature: an 8,000 mAh cell (typical capacity) that supports 80 W wired charging and 50 W wireless charging. This combination should easily get users through a full day of heavy use.

The Honor Magic9 in Popcorn Yellow

The Honor Magic9 in Morning White

Camera System

The camera setup is where the Magic9 truly shines. The centerpiece is a 200 MP 1/1.4-inch main sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), alongside a 200 MP 1/1.56-inch periscope telephoto lens offering 3.5x optical zoom (85 mm equivalent) and up to 120x digital zoom. Both cameras carry a CIPA 7.5 stabilization rating, ensuring sharp shots even in challenging conditions. A 50 MP ultrawide sensor and a 55 MP square-format selfie camera complete the arrangement.

Honor's H1 imaging chip handles processing tasks, while the ARRI partnership brings professional-grade LogC3 video and official ARRI Look profiles—a rare feature in smartphones. An optional 2.35x G200 teleconverter is also available for photography enthusiasts.

Additional Features

The Magic9 doesn't skimp on extras. It carries IP68, IP69, and IP69K ratings for dust and water resistance, a 3D ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, dedicated AI and camera buttons, an IR blaster, dual speakers, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, and NFC. It ships with MagicOS 11 out of the box.

Pricing and Availability

Honor is positioning the Magic9 as a value leader among last-generation chipset flagships. Here's the official pricing:

ConfigurationPrice (Yuan)Approx. USD
12 GB + 256 GB4,999$745
12 GB + 512 GB5,499$820
16 GB + 512 GB5,999$895
16 GB + 1 TB6,999$1,040

For comparison, the Oppo Find X10 and Vivo X500 both start at 5,499 yuan for 12 GB + 256 GB—500 yuan more than the Magic9. Those rivals use the Dimensity 9600M (a rebranded Dimensity 9500), while the Magic9 runs the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. Honor has not yet announced global availability, so international buyers will have to wait for further news.

The Honor Magic9 in Olive Green

The Honor Magic9 in Curtain Black

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