The Honor Magic 9 series promises top-tier photos and videos, thanks to ARRI

By now, collaborations between smartphone manufacturers and camera brands are commonplace. Flagship models no longer differ solely by performance, as the camera has become the centerpiece of the overall experience. Typically, Honor offers a complete Camera Phone lineup without relegating part of the experience to a future Ultra model.

Also in this case the Chinese company aims to offer a complete package from the outset: according to the latest rumors, the Honor Magic 9 series will be produced in collaboration with ARRI, for unprecedented photo and video capabilities. However, we will have to wait since the launch is expected to take place in the last quarter of the year.

Honor Magic 9 Series with ARRI cameras: what can we expect from the new flagship devices and when will they arrive

The release window for the Honor Magic 9 family is not surprising, in fact it aligns with that of the current generation. According to an insider the presentation will take place directly in October in China while regarding the global debut, we will have to be patient. Our Magic 8 Pro has arrived in Italy in mid-January, so a timing similar is not to be excluded.

However it will be worth it, at least according to the latest news: the top-range should introduce substantial changes in design, even if the insider does not spill the beans about it. This time all displays would be flat, so the manufacturer could permanently drop the Micro-Quad Curved style used also by Magic 8 Pro.

Clearly the software will be MagicOS 11, based on Android 17, while major improvements are expected for the photographic department. The main credit would go to the partnership with ARRI: the collaboration between the two brands was announced in March and the first smartphone equipped with the new imaging system is Honor Robot Phone (coming to China in August).

From the experimental phone, the capabilities of the German brand should find space also on Honor’s flagship devices like the Magic 9 lineup. Rumors talk of cinematic-quality video capabilities and benefits also for photos.

What we know about the new flagship models

For now, the details of the Honor Magic 9 series are still unclear, although it is possible to map out the picture of what to expect. Certainly the lineup will rely on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6, perhaps using both the standard and Pro versions.

The next Magic 9 standard is expected to feature a display OLED Flat 6.36″, with a massive 8,000 mAh battery despite its compact size. The flagship will be small, but with a big camera: rumors point to a main sensor of 200 MP with a 50 MP ultra-wide and a 64 MP periscope telephoto. Among other features wireless charging and an ultrasonic fingerprint reader would not be missing.

Magic 9 Pro would raise the bar with a 6.85″ diagonal display and a triple camera with two 200 MP sensors (main and periscope telephoto). In addition the system would support LOFIC HDR, a novelty already seen with Xiaomi 17 Ultra which should find space on more Camera Phones. The battery should rise to as much as 9,000 mAh.

Finally this year there is talk of adding Magic 9 Pro Max: however there is still some uncertainty and it is not clear whether we will see a third model or whether it will replace the usual Pro naming.