Metal bodies on flagship phones used to be the norm. Then glass took over, wireless charging became king, and aluminum got pushed to mid-rangers. So when a credible leak says Honor is bringing full metal back for the Magic 9 series, that’s worth paying attention to.
According to Huawei Central, leaker WangzaiKnowsEverything claims Honor is going all-in on an all-metal body for the Magic 9. The phone is expected to debut next month, and if this leak holds up, it means Honor is making a deliberate choice to prioritize build quality and structural rigidity over some of the conveniences glass normally brings to the table.
Here’s why that matters. Glass backs exist largely because they allow wireless charging to work. Metal blocks the signal. So if Honor is truly committing to full metal construction, that likely means one of two things: the Magic 9 is skipping wireless charging entirely, or Honor has found a way to work around the interference problem. Neither option is a small decision for a flagship in 2025.
From a design standpoint, the move actually makes a lot of sense. Metal frames feel more premium in hand, they handle drops differently than glass, and they don’t shatter the same way. Glass backs look great in press photos but they’re fragile and they collect fingerprints aggressively. A well-machined metal body can feel genuinely special, and Honor clearly wants the Magic 9 to feel like a statement device.
This also fits into a broader pattern of Chinese flagship makers trying to stand out in a crowded market. With Xiaomi, vivo, and OPPO all chasing similar specs and similar glass-sandwich designs, a genuinely different material choice gives Honor something to talk about. Whether that translates into real-world appeal depends on execution.
The Magic 9 series is shaping up to be one of the more interesting flagship launches of the year. A full metal chassis won’t suit everyone, but for buyers who are tired of babying a glass slab, it could be exactly what they’ve been waiting for.