Honor copies liquid glass again: is apple's design secret now a chinese standard?
apple’s relentless design influence continues to ripple across the tech landscape, and the latest evidence comes from Honor’s MagicOS 11 teaser. It’s yet another blatant attempt to mimic the minimalist, refractive aesthetic pioneered by Liquid Glass – and frankly, it’s getting tiresome.
The imitation game: magicos 11 mirrors apple's dynamic island
Android Headlines flagged Honor’s unveiling of MagicOS 11, showcasing a UI that’s shockingly reminiscent of apple’s Dynamic Island. The videos reveal translucent icons with a noticeable refractive quality, directly echoing Liquid Glass’ signature look. Beyond the visual similarities, Honor is implementing a dynamic element – akin to iOS 26’s call and notification transitions – that appears to ‘liquify’ as it shifts between actions.
Pixel first, then everyone else
While Google kicked off Android 17’s rollout with its Pixel devices in June, Honor’s expected summer release timeline suggests a broader adoption will follow. The pressure to emulate apple's design choices is undeniable, forcing other manufacturers to either adapt or risk being left behind. Oppo, with its ColorOS, has long been accused of heavy iOS inspiration, leaning into iOS-like control centers and settings – a strategy that continues to gain traction.
Is this innovation or just theft?
Let’s be blunt: it’s a copy. Chinese brands have been ‘inspired’ by apple’s design philosophy for years, and this latest iteration takes it to a new level of brazen imitation. The question isn’t whether Honor is copying Liquid Glass, but whether this relentless pursuit of apple’s aesthetic is ultimately detrimental to genuine innovation. It’s a cynical race to the bottom, prioritizing aesthetics over substance. And frankly, it’s unethical.
Despite my frustration, I won’t be ditching my Chinese phone anytime soon. But the trend is clear: Apple’s dominance in design has created a pervasive influence. The problem isn’t the imitation itself, but the lack of originality driving it. We’re witnessing a landscape where companies prioritize mimicking successful designs over developing their own, and that’s a worrying sign for the future of tech.