Honor Magic 9 vs Xiaomi 17
Verdict
Honor Magic 9 scores higher on the OH Rank (76 vs 75), winning 1 of 10 categories including Screen. Honor Magic 9 is 0.5mm wider than Xiaomi 17. 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
75
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
71.8mm (2.83in) · Sep 27, 2025 · Rank #47
13+14+11+12+12+4+4+0+5+0 = 75
* TOP Compact* TOP Battery Endurance* TOP Software
EDITORIAL: Xiaomi is going after Apple this year with matching gen number and addition of Pro and Pro Max models. Plain 17 adds a massive battery upgrade (from 5500 to 7000mAh, 6330mAh in EU), faster processor and storage, better selfie (finally with AF) and Dolby Atmos certified speakers. It is a battery endurance beast, providing 42+ hours to even a heavy user. Cameras are similar to excellent Xiaomi 15: competent performer with some excellent results. Apple flattery extended to physical design too - while last year's model was one of the nicest to hold because of softly curved front and back glass panels, the 17 has palm-cutting sharp frame with flat front and back.
PROs
compact, fast SD 8 Elite Gen 5 with UFS 4.1 performance, 48hr endurance from 7000mAh (6330mAh in EU) battery with sub-50min 100W charging (50W wireless). 460ppi LTPO AMOLED screen with Dolby Vision and >2100 PWM dimming, IP68 protection. excellent photo and video recording from a 50MP OIS PDAF main & tele cameras + 50MP ultrawide, great 50MP PDAF selfie, 6 years of OS updates
CONs
dim >1100nits screen, still no AF on ultrawide camera, no SDmemory, no desktop replacement feature
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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