Honor’s Magic 9 Pro Max has a big camera and a bigger battery

Smartphone cameras can now capture video with professional cinema color profiles and codecs, directly on the device.

Honor has launched its new Magic 9 flagship phone series in China, with the Magic 9 Pro Max receiving a significant design overhaul and notable camera and battery upgrades. This release marks Honor's first flagship introduction since announcing a collaboration with camera manufacturer Arri. The camera island features an Arri-inspired design, incorporating Arri's Arri LogC3 shooting capabilities, 14 preset Arri Look LUTs, and support for the APV 10-bit 4:2:2 codec. The phone is equipped with a 200-megapixel main camera, a 200-megapixel 3.5x telephoto lens, and a 50-megapixel ultrawide camera. It also includes a directional microphone for enhanced video recording and a square-format selfie camera capable of dynamic framing. The larger camera housing allows for an 8,800mAh battery with increased silicon content. The Magic 9 Pro Max is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 chipset. Honor has indicated an international launch will follow, though a specific date has not yet been announced.

The integration of Arri's LogC3 codec and LUTs into a consumer smartphone signifies a push towards democratizing high-end filmmaking tools. This move makes professional-grade color grading and cinematic looks accessible to a wider audience, potentially blurring the lines between professional and mobile video production. It suggests a market trend where flagship devices are increasingly prioritizing advanced videography features over raw processing power for specific tasks.

This development impacts content creators, smartphone enthusiasts, and the broader mobile photography and videography industry. It challenges existing workflows that rely on specialized hardware and extensive post-production for cinematic quality. Future smartphone releases may increasingly focus on emulating professional cinema camera features, potentially leading to new categories of mobile filmmaking accessories and software.