On November 23, Honor plans to release the Honor 100 and 100 Pro in China. After announcing the 100 series, the company will shift its attention to the Honor Magic 6 series of flagship phones. Additionally, this new lineup is set to launch in the first quarter of 2024. Recent rumors suggest that the Magic 6 lineup will use a one-inch camera sensor from a brand other than Sony.
Digital Chat Station, a tech blog and leaker, reported that Honor is gearing up to launch the OmniVision OV50K, a one-inch primary camera. Many people are speculating that this advanced camera might make its way into the next Honor Magic 6, possibly as a standout feature.
Recent reports indicate that Honor might be the first Android OEM to launch a smartphone. This device would feature Omnivision’s speculated 1-inch, 50 MP camera sensor. Additionally, it is alleged that Honor plans to equip the Magic6 with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, along with the Omnivision OV50K.
Xiaomi, Huawei, and Honor Outsell Apple in China for Smartphone Sales
There’s a big change happening. Chinese brands like Huawei, Xiaomi, and Honor are doing better than the world’s top company, Apple. Furthermore, in the first four weeks of October, smartphone sales in China went up by 11%. This suggests things might be getting better after a long time of going down.
Huawei is leading this recovery, making a spectacular comeback with a huge 90% sales increase compared to the previous year. The success is mainly thanks to the Mate 60 series, especially the Mate 60 Pro, which is notable for its advanced 5G chips made locally—a significant achievement despite U.S. sanctions. This success is not just limited to the new models; it’s also boosting the sales of Huawei’s other phones.
Honor, originally a spin-off from Huawei, also performed well with a 10% increase in sales. These gains by local brands contrast with Apple’s 12% sales decline in China during this period. Despite the launch of the iPhone 15, Apple hasn’t replicated its previous success in China, as seen in the initial sales data.
This trend highlights a broader story in China’s smartphone market, which is on the verge of ending a long period of stagnation. However, the recovery depends on how these companies address production limitations and supply chain challenges. For example, the high demand for Honor phones has led to shortages, affecting the availability of their latest models like the Mate 60 Pro.
Mobile Specifications
At present, Sony’s IMX989 stands as the most powerful one-inch flagship sensor for smartphones. Several manufacturers, including Xiaomi, have incorporated this sensor into their flagship camera models. However, the Sony IMX989, currently the most powerful one-inch flagship sensor for smartphones, is expected to be replaced. The Sony Lytia LYT-900 is set to replace it. This different one-inch camera sensor is expected to be featured on upcoming flagship phones like X7Pro, Xiaomi 14 Ultra, etc.
The Honor Magic series has received praise for its outstanding performance. Models such as the Magic 5 Pro and Magic 4 Ultimate consistently achieve top ranks in DxOMark photography testing. Transitioning to the Honor Magic 6 series is expected to feature an OV50K one-inch camera sensor. This promises an amazing experience in photography and filmmaking.
A significant shift is happening within the industry. Current flagship models like the Xiaomi 14 and iQOO 12 are embracing OmniVision sensors in their primary cameras. This trend suggests a potential departure from the widely preferred Sony sensors.
Returning to the Magic 6 series, a recent report revealed that it will support satellite communication connectivity. Furthermore, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 CPU is expected to be featured across the entire lineup. Many speculations are circulating. They indicate that the Magic 6 series may debut in China during the first week of February.
New Honor Magic6 Phone Coming Next Year with Advanced 1-Inch Camera
New information suggests that Honor might be the first company making Android phones to use Omnivision’s OV50K, a 50 MP camera. Earlier reports indicated that Xiaomi and Huawei were considering incorporating this camera into their upcoming flagship phones. Xiaomi was specifically exploring its use in the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, while Huawei might integrate it into an upcoming model. However, there’s a possibility that Xiaomi could opt for one of Sony’s high-quality Lytia camera sensors, such as the LYT-900.
Reportedly, the OV50K resembles the Sony IMX989, a 50 MP sensor present in recent Xiaomi and Vivo flagships. Omnivision currently keeps other details about the OV50K under wraps. According to this year’s releases, the Magic6 and the Omnivision OV50K are set to arrive in Q1 2024.
Leaker Reveals Details About Honor Magic 6’s Main Camera Sensor
A few days ago, news broke about the Honor Magic 6 revealing a new 1-inch OV50K camera sensor from OmniVision. Although the details of this sensor are still unknown, Digital Chat Station, a reliable leaker, has shared some information.
According to the leaker, the 1-inch OmniVision OV50K sensor has a unique feature called LOFIC (Lateral Overflow Integration Capacitor). This technique aims to solve the common problem of overexposure in bright settings in smartphone photography. When you take a photo, the camera sensor captures light and turns it into electrical signals. These signals are then combined to create the final image.
However, in bright settings, the sensor can get overwhelmed by too much light, causing overexposure and a loss of clarity. LOFIC steps in to efficiently control the extra light, ensuring that images maintain their quality even in intense lighting.
DCS also mentioned that the OV50K is expected to compete with Sony’s 1-inch IMX989 sensor. Additionally, the Honor Magic 6 is anticipated to feature a satellite connection and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. Keep an eye out for more information about the Honor Magic 6 series in the coming days.
