Honor Magic8 Pro vs. Magic9 Pro Max: What's been upgraded?
This Pro upgrade is messier than the typical year-over-year refresh, but the new flagship does give us a pretty good idea of where Honor put its priorities.
Honor has unveiled its new flagship mobile device, the Magic9 Pro Max, which is part of its 2026 lineup. This device is not a direct upgrade from the previous Magic9 Pro; instead, it holds the top spot in the lineup, with the Magic9 and Magic9 Super Edition positioned below it. The major enhancements of the Magic9 Pro Max include a 200MP main camera, augmented ARRI video capabilities, an 8,800mAh battery, and Qualcomm's 2nm Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 processor.
The new 200MP main camera is a significant upgrade from the 200MP telephoto camera on the Magic8 Pro, and it is accompanied by improved stabilization for both the main and telephoto cameras. The Magic9 Pro Max also introduces LogC3 recording, ARRI Wide Gamut 3, 10-bit capture, 14 preset ARRI Looks, and 87 predefined color gradings, which are designed to cater to professional videographers.
In terms of battery life, the Magic9 Pro Max boasts an 8,800mAh battery, representing a 22% increase in capacity compared to its predecessor. However, the wired charging speed has been reduced to 100W, while wireless charging remains at 80W and is sold separately. The device is slightly heavier than the Magic8 Pro at 233 grams, with a larger 6.8-inch display compared to the 6.71-inch screen of the previous model.
Honor's new device is built on Android 17 and features MagicOS 11, which facilitates file transfers across various devices. This operating system is a notable addition, as it allows users to transfer files effortlessly across supported iPhones, Macs, Android devices, and Windows PCs. The Magic9 Pro Max can be purchased for 6,499 yuan in China, which is equivalent to approximately $974.
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