This new Android skin copies iOS 27 so perfectly, it might even fool Apple

It’s no secret that everyone in the tech industry copies each other. Apple frequently “borrows” features from Android brands and markets them as game-changing innovations, while Android manufacturers often copy Apple’s software and industrial design. However, HONOR has now gone above and beyond, copying the iOS Liquid Glass look so thoroughly that it’s nearly identical.

HONOR showed off its Magic OS 11 Android skin at its Global Developer Conference, and it’s hard to say it’s merely “inspired” by iOS. It feels like the company took a screenshot of an iPhone and asked its designers to replicate it with Android elements. To be fair, it will go really well with the HONOR Magic 9 Pro Max’s design.

The company says it built those design elements using its custom Luminous and Hummingbird architectures to optimize the user interface and performance. HONOR claims that even with all those reflections, refractions, and transparency effects, Magic OS 11 animations are up to 20% faster than Magic OS 10.

Setting aside the fact that Magic OS 11 might as well be called iOS 27, HONOR is also introducing some impressive new features with the update. The updated Yoyo AI assistant can apparently handle over 1,000 scenarios, and can integrate with over 10,000 third-party AI services in China. HONOR also claims Yoyo AI can handle tasks that require up to 100 steps. However, most of these AI smarts will likely be available only in China.

Magic OS 11 also comes with Storage Space 2.0, which can help users save space on their phones. The company claims the feature offers lossless data compression and can free up to 60GB of storage. The update adds cross-device file sharing and connectivity across HONOR hardware and devices from other brands. Magic OS 11 can sync calls, messages, and notifications between HONOR phones and iPhones. It can also sync calls and messages with an Apple Watch. Further, it supports one-tap sharing of photos and videos with devices from Apple, OPPO, vivo, and Xiaomi.

HONOR’s new iOS 27 Android 17-based skin is expected to make its debut with the HONOR Magic 9 series later this month.