If you film more than you photograph, 24 November is the date to mark. HONOR Malaysia has confirmed the Magic9 Pro Max, its flagship with an imaging system co-engineered with cinema camera maker ARRI, launches here on 24 November 2026 at 3pm, streamed live on HONOR Malaysia's Facebook page. The price is still not out. On 12 November, HONOR also signed two memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with the national film agency and Tourism Malaysia that put the phone in front of local filmmakers and travel creators.
Contents
- Launch: 24 November 2026, 3pm, livestreamed on HONOR Malaysia's Facebook page
- Price: not announced yet, due at launch
- Video: ARRI LogC3 and APV 10-bit 4:2:2 recording
- Cameras: two 200MP cameras, main and telephoto
- Local deals: MoUs with FINAS and Tourism Malaysia
What it can film
The hardware starts with two 200MP cameras, one main and one telephoto. HONOR says the main camera gets what it calls 3-degree gimbal-level stabilisation for steadier handheld footage in low light. Behind them sits HONOR's own 6nm imaging chip, the H1, which processes images at the RAW stage. HONOR claims it adds 8dB to the signal-to-noise ratio and stretches dynamic range to as much as 14 stops.
The part that matters to anyone who grades footage is the recording format. The phone records in ARRI's LogC3, a flat profile that holds more detail in bright skies and dark corners so the footage can be coloured afterwards, and it supports APV 10-bit 4:2:2 video. That keeps more colour information than the 4:2:0 recording common on phones, which gives an editor more room when pushing colour or pulling a key. HONOR says APV files come out around 20% smaller as well.
An ARRI CINEMA Mode puts the controls on one screen: switch between ARRI Looks while you shoot, change lens profiles, frame in 2.39:1 widescreen and adjust the microphone live. You can also import your own LogC3 LUTs, and HONOR points to more than 10,000 third-party options already made for that curve.
Sound and the add-ons
Audio gets more attention than usual. HONOR has built a directional microphone modelled on the shotgun mics used on film sets, with four presets (Long Range, which HONOR says reaches up to 20 metres, Close Up, Voice Isolation and Voice Boost) plus a manual mode. A 4K LiveVideo feature turns a still into three seconds of motion, with ARRI Looks and a choice of 16:9 or 2.39:1.
For long shots, HONOR will offer clip-on 200mm (2.35x) and 500mm (5.88x) teleconverters, and claims focal lengths up to 14,000mm equivalent. A HONOR SmallRig Mobile Video Kit and cage cover handheld rigging.
The FINAS and Tourism Malaysia deals
The MoU with FINAS, witnessed by Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching, covers skills training and showcase opportunities for filmmakers, content creators and new talent working with mobile imaging. It builds on the phone's role as the official cinematic imaging smartphone of the 35th Malaysia Film Festival, which we covered earlier this month. HONOR also renewed its partnership with Tourism Malaysia for the Visit Malaysia 2026-2027 campaign, with workshops, photography competitions, exhibitions and cultural events planned.
HONOR Malaysia CEO Ethan Chen said the phone's imaging "enables more people, including emerging filmmakers and content creators, to produce high-quality cinematic videos without having to rely on expensive equipment."
Launch details
- Launch: 24 November 2026, 3pm, livestreamed on HONOR Malaysia's Facebook page
- Price and configurations: not announced yet
- More information: HONOR Malaysia
The camera story is only part of the Magic9 line: HONOR has also worked with Alibaba's Qwen Intelligence on AI agents for the Magic9, and HONOR says more hardware upgrades will be shown at the launch. Its most recent phone here was the mid-range HONOR 600S at RM1,299.
The takeaway
On paper, LogC3, 10-bit 4:2:2 and a proper directional mic put the Magic9 Pro Max squarely in front of people who grade their own footage. Whether it is worth it comes down to the number HONOR is keeping for 24 November, and we will add it here once it is announced.
Images courtesy of HONOR Malaysia.
