HONOR continues to consolidate its position as one of the leading smartphone manufacturers, standing out for its constant commitment to innovation and rapid catalog updates. The arrival of Android 15 along with the MagicOS 9.0 customization layer is one of the most anticipated events for the brand's users, as it promises to completely transform the experience on HONOR devices thanks to new artificial intelligence features, performance optimizations, and greater integration between devices in the HONOR ecosystem.
The interest in knowing the Complete list of HONOR phones that will be updated to Android 15 It's huge, especially since the brand has long been investing in both high-end and mid-range models and tablets. In this article, we offer a comprehensive review of the most relevant new features of Android 15 under MagicOS 9.0, compatible devices, the estimated update schedule, information on the user experience, tips for preparing for the update, and much more, integrating all the officially confirmed benchmark information and exclusive details previewed by leading experts and media outlets.
Android 15 and MagicOS 9.0 update rollout on HONOR
HONOR has confirmed a progressive deployment for the Android 15 update with MagicOS 9.0, which will begin with high-end devices and gradually roll out to mid-range, budget models, and tablets. The rollout typically begins first in China, where the brand has a large user base, and is subsequently released in Europe, Latin America, and other global regions. This phased approach optimizes the experience and ensures that each device receives a stable and smooth version, minimizing potential early software bugs.
The upgrade order depends on criteria such as model age, available hardware, and the number of active users. For example, Magic and foldable phones typically top the list, followed by mid-range models, and finally tablets and budget devices.
HONOR's update strategy covers hundreds of thousands of users globally and ensures a long lifespan for most of its devices. This reinforces the brand's image as a reliable option committed to after-sales support.
Key new features of Android 15 with MagicOS 9.0 on HONOR
Upgrade to Android 15 with MagicOS 9.0 It represents much more than just a cosmetic or performance overhaul. HONOR has developed proprietary features that, along with native Android 15 enhancements, elevate the user experience to a new level. Notable new features include:
- Magic Portal: An artificial intelligence-based system that analyzes the context in real time and suggests useful actions or shortcuts to compatible services. It allows, for example, intelligent information sharing between apps or the receipt of personalized recommendations.
- Magic Capsule: Inspired by the "Island" dynamics of other systems, Magic Capsule brings together notifications, reminders and information panels in an interactive bar at the top of the screen, making it easy to manage everyday tasks with a single touch.
- HONOR AI Notes: The new AI-powered app allows you to record meetings, transcribe conversations in real time, identify interlocutors, and generate automatic summaries, mind maps, or comparison tables from the captured information.
- AI Translation: An advanced translator that automatically detects the language spoken, correctly separates sentences, and offers real-time translation—ideal for both home users and professional and educational environments requiring multilingual communication.
- Magic Editor: Exclusive functionality for retouch photos intelligently: erase objects, modify features in portraits, open eyes in photos, add AI-generated elements, or apply styles and effects to captures.
- Honor Anydoor: A "circle to search" tool that allows you to select items on the screen to obtain instant information and perform contextual searches.
- Smart Capsules: Interactive, real-time information panels displaying relevant notifications such as appointments, reminders, and weather forecasts, all integrated in a non-intrusive manner.
- Improvements to the YOYO Assistant: The virtual assistant now better understands the context of questions, performs complex tasks by chaining commands, and constantly learns from the user to anticipate their needs.
- Smoother animations: MagicOS 9.0 incorporates new animations for window transitions, app launches, and changes to the home screen, improving the feeling of fluidity in daily use.
- Turbo X technology and fuel consumption optimization: Significant increase in graphics performance (up to 40% in rendering) and 11% reduction in power consumption, ensuring more stable and longer gaming sessions. The frame rate remains constant even in demanding games.
- Face Swap Detection in Video Calls: The system is able to identify when the other person uses facial-changing filters or avatars, ensuring greater authenticity when communicating.
- AI-powered travel planning and other services: Artificial intelligence helps you book hotels, plan itineraries, find restaurants, suggest personalized workouts, make entertainment recommendations, and much more.
- Honor Digital Human: Users can create an avatar or "virtual friend" to interact with, customize their appearance, and even see reactions like the avatar dancing when music is played.
- Multi-device improvements: Easily transfer calls and messages between your phone and smartwatch, as well as share apps between your phone, car, or compatible TV, all without the need for third-party apps.
- New customization options: Use AI to expand or modify background images, change the home screen layout, and customize the system's visual style with a single tap.
Additionally, MagicOS 9.0 enhances integration and continuity between HONOR devices, facilitating seamless transitions between smartphones, tablets, and other products in the HONOR ecosystem.
Native improvements introduced by Android 15
Beyond the personal layer of MagicOS, Android 15 introduces a range of system-level changes:
- Advanced security and privacy enhancements: You can now hide private apps, lock sensitive access with a fingerprint, and make changes to permission management to prevent data leaks.
- New contrast levels and visual redesign: Improves readability and saves battery life on AMOLED displays with high-contrast modes and new icons in the status bar.
- Satellite connectivity: On compatible devices, it allows you to send SMS and RCS via satellite, which is useful in areas without coverage.
- Overall performance improvements: Reduced RAM usage, accelerated WebView (the internal app browser), faster system startup, and optimized camera startup.
- New notification management: It includes a "Notification Cooldown" to avoid being bombarded with alerts from the same app, with sound that fades gradually.
- Redesigned volume control panel and new accessibility options (contrast, pointer size, color correction intensity, context menu customization, etc.).
- Expanded support for external displays and better transitions in multi-window and PiP (picture-in-picture) mode.
- New APIs for developers: They allow you to create more secure and efficient applications, with control over battery usage, NFC access, and integration with advanced hardware features.
- Improved graphics and multimedia: Extended Vulkan API support, a more efficient AV1 decoder for video, and improved multitasking on devices with large screens, such as tablets and foldable phones.
List of HONOR phones compatible with Android 15 and MagicOS 9.0
HONOR has officially confirmed an extensive list of devices that will receive the update. The following list includes high-end devices, mid-range models, budget models, and tablets, ensuring the Android 15 experience reaches the majority of users:
- HONOR Magic V3
- HONOR Magic 6 Pro
- HONOR Magic V2
- HONOR Magic 5 Pro
- HONOR Magic 5
- HONOR Magic Vs2
- HONOR 200
- HONOR 200 Pro
- HONOR Tablet MagicPad 2
- HONOR Magic V
- HONOR 100
- HONOR 100 Pro
- HONOR 90 Pro
- HONOR 90
- HONOR Magic Vs Ultimate
- HONOR Magic Vs3
- HONOR MagicPad 13
- HONOR Magic 6 Ultimate
- HONOR Magic V Flip
- HONOR Magic5 Ultimate
- HONOR Magic6 Lite
- HONOR Pad X8a, X8 Pro, Pad X9, Pad 9 and Pad 9 Pro
- HONOR Play 60 Plus, Play 50 Plus, Play 40, Play 8T
- HONOR X50i+, X5 Plus, X6a, X6b, X7b, Xb7 5G, X8b, X9b, X40 GT,
- HONOR 90 Smart, 90 Lite, 90, 100, 100 Pro, 200 Smart, 200 Lite, 200, 200 Pro
The list may expand as HONOR confirms compatibility with additional models, as is common with phased updates. To check specific model compatibility, it's recommended to check within the device settings or on the official HONOR website.
Update schedule for HONOR devices
The update schedule, although it may vary slightly by region, follows this priority pattern:
- First Phase (top of the range and folding):
– HONOR Magic V3
– HONOR Magic 6 Pro
– HONOR Magic V2
– HONOR Magic 5 Pro
– HONOR Magic 5 - Second Phase (high-end and new tablets):
– HONOR Magic Vs2
– HONOR 200
– HONOR 200 Pro
– HONOR Tablet MagicPad 2 - Third Phase (recent mid-range models and other variants):
– HONOR Magic V
– HONOR 100
– HONOR 100 Pro - Fourth Phase (mid-range and economic models):
– HONOR 90 Pro
– HONOR 90
– Other models confirmed in the previous lists.
The update begins in China and is rolling out to other international markets as the software passes stability and localization tests. It's important to note that dates are approximate and may vary depending on carriers and regional availability.
How to prepare your HONOR phone for the arrival of Android 15
Before receiving the update, it is recommended to perform a full backup of your data (photos, contacts, documents and important applications) using HONOR Cloud or any cloud or physical storage service. You'll also want to make sure you have at least 40% battery life and enough free space (at least 8 GB) to download and apply the update without any issues.
HONOR updates are usually delivered via OTA (Over the Air), so you'll receive a notification when it's available. If you want to force the search for the new version, go to Settings > System > Software update and click on “Check for updates”.
During the process, follow the on-screen instructions. If you experience any errors, it's recommended to restart your phone and try again. On rare occasions, the download may be delayed due to server congestion during peak hours.
FAQs about updating to Android 15 on HONOR
- Will I lose my data when I upgrade? No, the update is designed to preserve all your files and settings, but backing up is recommended as a precaution.
- What if my model is not listed? HONOR may expand compatibility in the future based on software developments and user demand. Please check the official HONOR website regularly.
- Will performance be the same after the update? All compatible models have been optimized to perform as well or better after installing Android 15; if you notice slowdowns, it's usually due to third-party apps that need to be updated to the new version.
- Will MagicOS 9.0 be available in all countries? The rollout is global, but dates may differ in some countries or regions. HONOR typically prioritizes the Chinese market first, followed by international markets.
- Do I need a WiFi connection to update? This is highly recommended, as the download may exceed 5 GB in some cases.
Security and performance tips after the update
After updating your HONOR to Android 15 and MagicOS 9.0, follow these steps to ensure the best experience:
- Update all apps from Google Play to ensure compatibility and take advantage of new features tailored for Android 15.
- Check your privacy and security settings to adjust app permissions and take advantage of new features for blocking and hiding sensitive information.
- Explore what's new in MagicOS 9.0 in the “New Features” or “Discover MagicOS” section, where HONOR often offers short tutorials.
- If you detect performance problems, restart your device, free up storage space, and clear the cache. In rare cases, a factory reset may restore normal operation.
Multi-device compatibility and HONOR ecosystem
One of HONOR's strongest bets with this update is the integration of functionalities between devices: you can answer calls or messages from your smartwatch, transfer files from your phone to the tablet instantly, or even control smart home devices from MagicOS 9.0. Multi-device improvements include continuous data synchronization, wireless screen projection and expanded compatibility with HONOR Connect to share apps, photos and documents between all compatible devices of the brand.
Comparison with other manufacturers
HONOR stands out from other brands such as Samsung, Xiaomi, OnePlus or Realme, not only for the speed and stability of its updates, but also for the wider range of compatible models, including budget ranges and tablets. While other manufacturers prioritize their premium devices and neglect their mid-range and low-end models, HONOR strives to offer comprehensive updates across a wider range of devices, which is highly valued by users.
In addition, HONOR implements exclusive features such as Magic Portal, Digital Human, and interactive panels that aren't present, at least with the same level of integration, in other manufacturers' customization layers. Improvements to the YOYO assistant and AI in Notes also make a significant difference.
Key Benefits of Android 15 on HONOR Devices
- Superior performance and optimized autonomy: Intensive gaming, multitasking, and multimedia sessions are now smoother and more power-efficient.
- Multi-stop security and enhanced privacy: The new private space offers peace of mind and complete control over your most sensitive applications and data.
- Advanced customization: Thanks to AI and integration with MagicOS, you can create a truly unique experience tailored to your tastes and needs.
- Maximum integration with the ecosystem: The collaboration between mobile, tablet, smartwatch, and smart home is more intuitive and powerful than ever.
