Honor Magic 9 vs Xiaomi 17 Pro Max
Verdict
Honor Magic 9 and Xiaomi 17 Pro Max tie on the OH Rank at a score of 76. Honor Magic 9 wins on Screen; Xiaomi 17 Pro Max wins on Battery and Selfie. Xiaomi 17 Pro Max is 5.3mm wider than Honor Magic 9. Honor Magic 9 is the more recent release, from Oct 8, 2026.
Score Breakdown
Performance /15
Battery /15
Screen /15
IP Protection /15
Main Camera /15
Selfie /5
Video /5
SD Memory /5
Software /5
Desktop Replacement /5
TOTAL
76
76
Honor Magic 9
72.3mm (2.85in) · Oct 8, 2026 · Rank #35
13+13+13+12+12+4+4+0+5+0 = 76
* TOP Battery Endurance* TOP Software
EDITORIAL: (this is a pre-test listing based on reasonable expectation of charging and imaging) Matching the pattern of optimization and direction changes, Honor downgraded their smaller flagship. The processor is "last year's", gone are LTPO tech and the fast USB-C with Display Port but the phone got a massive battery while shrinking width by 1.7mm making it (almost) compact. This year, it will come to international markets too.
PROs
bold yellow (among other colors), flagship built, fast (last year's top) SD 8 Elite Gen 5 (3nm) with UFS 4.0 performance, >42hr endurance from a massive 8000mAh Si-C battery, ~1800nits 460ppi 120Hz OLED screen with Dolby Vision, IP69 protection, very good 200MP OIS main + 200MP OIS periscope telephoto + 50MP ultrawide (all PDAF) setup, new 55MP 21mm selfie, good video recording, AI and other features loaded MagicOS with a "7 years of OS updates" promise, dedicated AI hardware button, available internationally
CONs
>60min 80W (50W wireless) charging - Magic 8 had 90W, no LTPO tech means shorter battery endurance, no AF on selfie, no expandable memory, removed desktop replacement functionality Magic 8 had, slow USB-C 2.0 with no Display Port tech (tho it offers OTG)
Xiaomi 17 Pro Max
77.6mm (3.06in) · Sep 25, 2025 · Rank #39
13+14+11+12+12+5+4+0+5+0 = 76
SUPERIORFLY* TOP Battery Endurance* TOP Selfie* TOP Software
EDITORIAL: Xiaomi created the Pro and Pro Max models this year to declare focus on Apple's market share. And rightfully so as Xiaomi 17 Pro Max does everything as well as iPhone 17 Pro Max except telephoto pics and overall video recording. To make up for it, Xiaomi's Pro Max has better endurance then iPhone 17 Pro Max (and lasts much longer then S26U), faster charging, brighter screen and a second display that can even be used as a gaming platform (with optional attachment). Ironically, there is an excellent new selfie camera on a phone that can use the superior back cameras for amazing selfies.
PROs
great built, great SD 8 Elite Gen 5 with UFS 4.1 performance (with throttling under very high loads), 48hr endurance from a 7500mAh Si-C battery with sub-40min 100W (50W wireless) charging. 2 LTPO AMOLED screens with >2000Hz PWM dimming and both Dolby Vision and HDR10+ certification. IP68 protection (down to 6m for 30min). great imaging from 50MP OIS 23mm main + 50MP 17mm ultrawide (both with PDAF), excellent 50MP 21mm PDAF selfie, 6 years of OS updates, fast USB-C 3.2 port with Display Out tech for screen sharing with PCs and Macs
CONs
limited to China market, okay performance from the new 50MP 115mm OIS PDAF periscope telephoto (worse at night) and 17mm ultrawide camera is not really "ultra" wide, no expandable memory, HyperOS is not everyone's cup of tea, no desktop replacement functionality
Both phones here were scored by me, using the same ten categories, with no ads, sponsorships, or manufacturer relationships — this comparison is as objective and honest as it gets.
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