Honor is inviting users to experience the future of its smartphone operating system with the launch of the MagicOS 9.0 public beta. Based on Android 15, MagicOS 9.0 promises a slew of exciting new features and enhancements, and now, a wider audience can get a taste of what’s to come.
On November 13th, 2024, Honor officially announced the public beta release of MagicOS 9.0, its latest Android skin. This follows a closed beta program that began in late October. The public beta is currently available for a range of Honor devices, including the Magic5 and Magic6 series, as well as the Magic V2 and V3 foldable phones. This move signifies Honor’s commitment to user feedback and its drive to deliver a refined and polished software experience. But what exactly does MagicOS 9.0 bring to the table, and is it worth diving into the beta? Let’s explore.
What’s New in MagicOS 9.0?
MagicOS 9.0 isn’t just a visual refresh; it introduces a host of features designed to enhance productivity, personalization, and user experience. Here are some of the highlights:
- Smart Capsule: Taking inspiration from Apple’s Dynamic Island, Honor introduces “Smart Capsule.” This interactive feature provides real-time information and alerts, adapting to different apps and scenarios. Imagine getting delivery updates, tracking your rides, or controlling music playback, all from a dynamic island at the top of your screen.
- Revamped Visuals: MagicOS 9.0 boasts a refreshed user interface with new animations, transitions, and a refined color palette. The overall aesthetic aims for a more modern and engaging look and feel.
- AI Enhancements: Honor is leveraging AI to power several new features. This includes AI Notes, which can intelligently organize and summarize your notes, AI Documents for improved document management, and AI Translation for seamless language translation.
- Turbo X System: Honor’s performance optimization system, Turbo X, gets an upgrade in MagicOS 9.0. This promises smoother multitasking, improved gaming performance, and extended battery life.
- Enhanced Privacy: With growing concerns about online privacy, MagicOS 9.0 introduces a face swap detection feature to protect users against deepfakes. This adds an extra layer of security in an age of increasingly sophisticated digital manipulation.
My Experience with the MagicOS 9.0 Public Beta
Having used the MagicOS 9.0 public beta on my Honor Magic5 Pro for the past few days, I can offer some firsthand impressions. The first thing I noticed was the fluidity of the animations and transitions. Navigating through the interface feels noticeably smoother compared to the previous version. The Smart Capsule, while still in its early stages, has proven to be quite useful for tracking my commute and staying on top of notifications. The AI-powered features, particularly AI Notes, are promising, though I need more time to fully assess their capabilities.
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- Factory Unlocked (USA & Rest of the World), In USA Unlocked only for T-Mobile (GSM) and excluding Verizon, Sprint, US Cellular, No CDMA / Dual SIM (Nano-SIM slot 4FF, eSIM), Networks: 2G GSM, 3G, 4G LTE, 5G
- 6.71 inches, OLED, FHD+ 1256 x 2808, 1.07 billion colors
- 1TB Storage, 16GB RAM
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite (Gen 5) Mobile Platform, Adreno 840
- Bluetooth 6.0, Wi-Fi, NFC
How to Join the MagicOS 9.0 Public Beta
If you’re eager to try out MagicOS 9.0 for yourself, here’s how you can join the public beta program:
- Ensure Eligibility: Make sure your Honor device is among the supported models (currently the Magic5 series, Magic6 series, Magic V2, and Magic V3).
- Update to the Baseline Version: Your device needs to be running the required baseline MagicOS version (8.0.0.172 or above).
- Enroll Through the My Honor App: Open the My Honor app, navigate to Club > MagicOS 9.0 > Upgrade to try > Public beta application, and follow the on-screen instructions to register.
Important Considerations Before Joining the Beta
Before you jump into the beta program, keep in mind that this is pre-release software. You might encounter bugs, instability, or compatibility issues with certain apps. It’s crucial to back up your device before installing the beta to avoid any data loss.
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- Network Compatibility Notice: This smartphone is not compatible with CDMA networks including Verizon, Sprint, and US Cellular. Please verify 3G, 4G/LTE, and 5G compatibility with your network provider before purchase. Supports Dual-SIM with GSM 850/900/1800/1900, HSDPA 850(B5)/900(B8)/1900(B2)/2100(B1), 4G LTE, and 5G SA/NSA/Sub6 bands
- Display Specifications: Features a large 6.78 inches AMOLED display with high resolution of 1224 x 2700 pixels, delivering vibrant colors and sharp visuals for an enhanced viewing experience
- Storage and Memory Configuration: Equipped with 256GB internal storage and 12GB RAM, providing ample space for apps, photos, videos, and smooth multitasking performance for demanding applications
- Operating System and Processor: Runs on Android 14 operating system powered by Qualcomm SM6450 Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset built on 4nm technology, featuring Octa-core processor with 4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 and 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores for efficient performance
- Camera System: Includes a high-resolution 108 MP rear camera with f/1.8 aperture, wide lens, 1/1.67 inch sensor, and PDAF technology, plus a 16 MP front camera with f/2.5 aperture and wide lens for quality photography and video calls
Is the MagicOS 9.0 Public Beta Worth It?
If you’re a tech enthusiast who enjoys exploring the latest software and providing feedback, the MagicOS 9.0 public beta is definitely worth checking out. It offers a glimpse into the future of Honor’s smartphone experience, with innovative features and a refined design language. However, if you prioritize stability and a bug-free experience, it’s best to wait for the official stable release.
Looking Ahead
Honor’s MagicOS 9.0 public beta is an exciting development for Honor device users. It showcases the company’s commitment to innovation and user satisfaction. As the beta program progresses and feedback is gathered, we can expect further refinements and improvements leading up to the official release. It will be interesting to see how features like Smart Capsule evolve and how effectively Honor integrates AI into its software ecosystem.
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- Factory Unlocked Compatibility: USA & Rest of the World, In USA Unlocked only for T-Mobile (GSM) and excluding Verizon, Sprint, US Cellular, No CDMA / Dual SIM (Nano-SIM slot 4FF, eSIM), Networks: 2G GSM, 3G, 4G LTE, 5G
- Display Specifications: 6.71 inches, OLED, FHD+ 1256 x 2808, 1.07 billion colors
- Storage and Memory: 1TB Storage, 16GB RAM
- Processor and Graphics: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite (Gen 5) Mobile Platform, Adreno 840
- Connectivity Features: Bluetooth 6.0, Wi-Fi, NFC
Final Thoughts
From my experience, MagicOS 9.0 feels like a significant step forward for Honor’s software. It’s a visually appealing and feature-rich operating system that builds upon the foundation of Android 15 while adding its own unique flavor. While the public beta is not without its quirks, it offers a promising glimpse into the future of Honor smartphones.
Quick Recap
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- For USA Buyers: This Smartphone is not compatible/will not work with any CDMA Networks including: VERIZON, SPRINT, US CELLULAR. Please check with your network provider for 3G or 4G/LTE compatibility check before you purchase.
- Dual-SIM, Network Compatibility, SIM CARD 1 AND 2 [2G : GSM 850/ 900/ 1800/ 1900and/or3G : HSDPA 850(B5) / 900(B8) / 1900(B2) / 2100(B1)and/or4G : LTE and/or5G : SA/NSA/Sub6]
- 6.78 inches, AMOLED, 1224 x 2700 pixels
- 256GB Storage, 12GB RAM
- Android 14, Qualcomm SM6450 Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4 nm), Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)
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- For USA Buyers: This Smartphone is not compatible/will not work with any CDMA Networks including: VERIZON, SPRINT, US CELLULAR. Please check with your network provider for 3G or 4G/LTE compatibility check before you purchase.
- 6.79 inches, AMOLED, 1B colors, 1200 x 2640 pixels
- 256GB Storage, 8GB RAM
- Android 15, Magic OS 9, Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 (4 nm), Octa-core (1x2.3 GHz Cortex-A720s & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A720s & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A520s)
- Rear: 108 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), PDAF, 1/1.67", 1.0µm, OIS, 5 MP, f/2.2, 17mm (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm, Front: 16 MP, f/2.5, 24mm (wide)
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