Honor mimics liquid glass: another apple design rip-off?

Apple’s dominance in design continues to bleed into the Android ecosystem, and Honor’s latest MagicOS 11 teaser is a glaring example. It’s the same tired playbook – a transparent UI, refractive elements, and a blatant imitation of Liquid Glass.

A flood of familiarity

Android Headlines is reporting that Honor is leaning heavily on Apple’s signature design language, specifically with its ‘Magic Capsule’ inspired by the Dynamic Island. The videos circulating on Weibo showcase an uncanny resemblance to iOS 26, complete with moving UI elements and a liquid-like transition effect. Frankly, it’s insulting to watch.

Google’s rollout of Android 17 to Pixel devices – a move already generating buzz – highlights the disparity. While Pixel users are getting a genuinely new experience, Honor is chasing shadows, desperately trying to replicate what Apple established years ago. The fact that MagicOS 11 is slated for release later this summer only exacerbates the situation – a predictable, calculated delay to mask the obvious copying.

The coloros problem

Let’s be clear: Chinese manufacturers have long been influenced by iOS. Oppo’s ColorOS is a testament to this, borrowing heavily from Apple's control centers and settings menus. But Honor’s approach transcends mere inspiration; it’s a wholesale mimicry, a transparent attempt to capture the premium feel that Apple has so meticulously cultivated. This isn’t innovation; it’s plagiarism, plain and simple.

The question isn’t whether Honor is inspired – it’s whether they’re actively stealing. Until they develop a truly original aesthetic, this continued reliance on Apple’s design DNA is not only unethical but a detriment to the Android landscape. It’s a race to the bottom, and consumers deserve better.