TL;DR
In a global hands-on with the Honor Magic8 Pro, the device shows strong camera capabilities and solid hardware but is weighed down by design compromises and rough software behavior. Early impressions highlight a standout telephoto setup and fast face unlock, while battery life, long-term performance, and final pricing remain unconfirmed in the source.
What happened
Honor’s Magic8 Pro arrived in the global market after an earlier China debut, and a hands-on assessment finds a phone that mixes notable strengths with clear compromises. The handset measures 8.4mm thick and weighs 219 grams, with the bulk concentrated around a large camera module. It uses a curved display that meets an aluminum frame and a rear panel that Honor does not explicitly identify; the reviewer describes this back as feeling like plastic. The phone carries high dust and water resistance ratings (IP68, IP69 and IP69K) and employs Honor’s NanoCrystal Shield for the front. Hardware highlights include a pill-shaped cutout that houses a fast, secure face-unlock system and a side button for AI and camera control, which the reviewer found less responsive than a comparable button on another vendor’s flagship. MagicOS 10 presented setup and notification quirks, and while the camera system (50MP main, 200MP telephoto, 50MP ultrawide) performed well in limited tests, several important metrics — including pricing, full battery and long-term performance — are not confirmed in the source.
Why it matters
- The Magic8 Pro positions Honor back into flagship contention with a camera package that may outclass some rivals.
- Design and materials choices could influence buyers who expect premium finishes at flagship price points.
- Software instability during setup signals potential ongoing usability issues for some users.
- Thermal behavior under load and long-term battery performance are still open questions that affect real-world use.
Key facts
- Physical dimensions: 8.4mm thickness and 219 grams weight; bulk concentrated near the camera module.
- Display edges curve into an aluminum frame; rear panel material not specified by Honor and described as plastic-like.
- Durability: IP68, IP69, and IP69K dust and water resistance ratings.
- Screen protection uses Honor’s NanoCrystal Shield rather than Corning Gorilla Glass.
- Security: pill-shaped cutout contains a fast, true face-unlock system; in-display fingerprint sensor positioned an inch above the bottom.
- Side button controls AI features and camera functions; reviewer found it less responsive and functional than a similar competing phone button.
- Software: runs MagicOS 10; reviewer experienced a factory-reset triggered by an update, ghost home screens, and inconsistent system sound controls.
- Camera hardware: 50MP main, 200MP telephoto (3.7x optical, AI-enhanced 10x), and 50MP wide-angle; 3.7x and 10x shots were praised in initial use.
- Performance: powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5; did not overheat in a 20-minute 3DMark Solar Bay Stress Test but may have throttled mid-test.
- Game Manager includes a performance boost option intended to delay throttling during gaming.
What to watch next
- Official pricing and availability details for markets outside the UK are not confirmed in the source.
- Full battery life and long-term performance under daily use are not confirmed in the source.
- How MagicOS 10 behaves after further updates and whether setup and notification issues are resolved is not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Optical zoom: A camera zoom method that uses the lens' optics to magnify a subject without losing image quality, unlike digital zoom.
- AI-enhanced zoom: Image processing techniques powered by machine learning to improve detail and reduce noise in high-magnification photos.
- IP rating: Ingress Protection rating indicating a device’s resistance to dust and water; higher numbers denote stronger protection.
- Face unlock: A biometric authentication method that uses facial recognition to unlock a device, which can be implemented with varying levels of security.
- Throttling: When a device reduces processor speed to lower heat output, which can protect hardware but hurt sustained performance.
Reader FAQ
Is the Honor Magic8 Pro available in the US?
The source states Honor doesn’t sell its phones in the US, though the Magic8 Pro has been announced for global markets with the UK listed most recently.
What is the price of the Magic8 Pro?
Not confirmed in the source.
Does the Magic8 Pro overheat under heavy use?
In a 20-minute 3DMark Solar Bay Stress Test the phone did not overheat, but the reviewer notes it may have throttled performance mid-test.
How does its camera compare to the OnePlus 15?
The reviewer suggests the Magic8 Pro’s camera performance should be a genuine concern for the OnePlus 15, saying the OnePlus can’t keep up.
Are software issues resolved?
Not confirmed in the source; the reviewer experienced setup and notification problems on MagicOS 10 during initial use.
I used the Honor Magic8 Pro, and the OnePlus 15 should be worried By Andy Boxall Published 19 minutes ago Andy is a seasoned technology journalist with more than 15…
Sources
- I used the Honor Magic8 Pro, and the OnePlus 15 should be worried
- Honor Magic 8 Pro review: a strong camera phone that …
- Honor Magic8 Pro review: Featuring Snapdragon 8 Elite …
- OnePlus 16 may address one of the major issues fans had …
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