On March 18th, the release of the all-new Honor Magic6 Ultimate Edition and the Honor Magic6 RSR Porsche Design elevated the bar for flagship smartphones with industry-first innovations and exceptional aesthetic designs. Among the remarkable technological breakthroughs of the Honor Magic6 series, its imaging innovations—such as the Lofic main camera, Eagle Eye Snapshot, and Laser Lidar technologies—stand at the pinnacle of the industry, showcasing Honor’s fruitful commitment to “innovative leadership.” In a recent interview video by flypig, Honor Flagship Mobile Phone Product Manager Li Kun made it clear: “True innovation means to surpass, otherwise it is merely following.”
Dedicated to Pioneering in Mobile Photography
During the interview, flypig pointed out that imaging has always been a battleground for leading smartphone manufacturers. To stay competitive, many brands have jumped on trends such as co-branding with legacy optics companies and pursuing larger one-inch sensors. However, Honor evidently prefers to tackle these choices from an innovator’s perspective.
Previously, Zhao Ming commented that co-branding does not significantly enhance imaging capabilities, and Li Kun agreed that co-branding should be based on in-depth technical cooperation and user experience enhancement. If it doesn’t bring lasting technical value to the brand beyond the initial hype, co-branding loses its meaning. That’s why Honor, with its emphasis on proprietary technology, hasn’t shown much interest in co-branding.
Regarding the rising trend of one-inch sensors, Li Kun believes that while large sensors as components must be well-matched, the overall design requirements should guide their selection. Meticulous tuning of the technology is essential. Merely chasing larger sensor specifications without considering factors like design constraints can result in an imaging experience that doesn’t truly advance in quality and thus gets left behind by the market.
Keeping an Eye on Cutting-Edge Technology Without Working in Isolation
Honor’s confidence in not blindly following the trends comes from its unique insights into innovation—focusing on cutting-edge industry technologies. Li Kun introduced the world’s first ultra-high dynamic range sensor based on LOFIC technology in the Honor Magic6 Ultimate Edition. Initially used in automotive camera systems, the Honor team adapted the technology for smartphones after two years of refinement, significantly enhancing the sensor’s single-pixel full well capacity to 270K. This improvement boosts the pixel’s tolerance to high light ratios, extending the dynamic range well beyond traditional CMOS standards and allowing for stunning visuals even in complex lighting conditions.
Beyond LOFIC technology, Honor has also borrowed from vehicle Laser Lidar range-finding systems and integrated its proprietary 1200-point Laser Lidar autofocus array in the Honor Magic6 Ultimate Edition. It not only captures fast-moving subjects quickly but also with exceptional quality. Compared to Apple’s lidar solution, the Honor Magic6 Ultimate Edition’s Laser Lidar module not only boasts significantly superior specifications, but it is also 19% thinner than the latest iPhone, setting an industry benchmark for smartphone focusing technology and leading the way in both static and dynamic imaging capabilities.
Although the Honor Magic series prioritizes adopting the best technologies first, with the increase in production yields and the reduction in design and manufacturing costs, these innovative technologies are expected to be extended across more Honor models. As Li Kun described, Honor Magic continues to embrace its own “magic,” daring to be a technological pioneer and bringing the latest tech experiences to consumers.
In the Next Phase of Mobile Imaging, Only Innovation Will Endure
As the first high-end flagship smartphone series to debut in the domestic market in 2024, the Honor Magic6 series has indeed given photography enthusiasts a thrilling boost. It also soberly reminds us that the era of fierce competition in mobile imaging has come to a close—the next phase will be dominated by a few key players. Long-term reliance on trends, such as co-brandings with Leica, Zeiss, or Hasselblad, or the collective focus on one-inch sensors, might attract consumers’ attention temporarily. However, without sustained innovation, this may lead to product homogenization and the eventual loss of core competitiveness.
Honor’s resolve not to follow blindly stems from confidence in its innovative strengths and a deep understanding of user needs. The market impact of the Honor Magic6 series is a testament to Honor’s commitment to its innovation philosophy of being human-centric and tech-driven. The brand continuously refines its core capabilities, offering unique experiences to win consumer approval. Honor continues to push the boundaries of technology, regularly delivering “magical moments.” With Honor now on the fast track to innovation, it is contributing to the flourishing development of domestic smartphones in its own distinctive way.