This Android flagship copies Apple, lets you shoot landscape selfies without turning your phone

When HONOR first revealed the Magic 9 Pro Max, its iPhone-inspired camera plateau made the Apple comparisons difficult to avoid. Now, another iPhone-inspired feature is joining the package, and this one marks an Android milestone as the first to introduce a square selfie camera.

In a Weibo post, HONOR revealed that the Magic 9 and Magic 9 Pro Max will feature a 55MP “Agile Eye” front camera. Its square format allows users to capture horizontal or vertical images without rotating the phone, following the same basic idea Apple introduced with the iPhone 17 series’ Center Stage camera.

HONOR product line president Fang Fei says (via IT Home) the new camera combines a dedicated 1:1 capture area with a 55MP resolution and a 92-degree field of view. The square frame gives the camera enough room to crop either a horizontal or vertical image from the same view, regardless of how the phone is held.

That could make wide group selfies easier without forcing users to turn their phones or stretch their arms into awkward positions. Video creators could also record once and later crop the same footage into a horizontal vlog, vertical short video, or another aspect ratio. The extra capture area should also give more freedom to reframe footage in editing.

Fei demonstrated the camera using several selfies taken with the Magic 9 Pro Max. Metadata shown beneath one sample lists a 25mm-equivalent view, an f/2 aperture, a 1/50-second shutter speed, and ISO 64. However, those details apply to that particular image and don’t necessarily confirm the camera’s only available focal length.

HONOR’s promotional fine print confirms that Agile Eye will be limited to the standard Magic 9 and Magic 9 Pro Max. It also notes that the advertised 55MP resolution may vary by shooting mode and conditions.

Meanwhile, Digital Chat Station has shared what appear to be near-final specifications for both phones. The leaker claims the Magic 9 will have a 6.37-inch 120Hz display, an 8,000mAh battery, 80W wired charging, and 50W wireless charging. Its rear cameras could include a 200MP main and 3.5x periscope shooters alongside a 50MP ultrawide.

The larger Magic 9 Pro Max is tipped to feature a 6.8-inch LTPO display, a massive 8,800mAh battery, 100W wired charging, and 80W wireless charging. Other rumored features include 3D face recognition, ultrasonic fingerprint readers, dedicated AI and camera buttons, and IP68, IP69, and IP69K protection.

HONOR should confirm the remaining specifications, pricing, and availability when the Magic 9 series launches in China on September 28.