For years, I’ve bounced between flagship phones from Apple and Samsung, always chasing that perfect blend of camera quality, battery life, and smooth software. But when the Honor Magic 8 Pro landed on my desk, I was skeptical – could a brand still finding its global footing really deliver a true iPhone or Galaxy competitor? After three weeks of daily use, I’m convinced: this isn’t just another Android phone. It’s a statement.
Unboxing & First Impressions
The Sunrise Gold model I tested immediately stood out – not just for its bold color, but for the subtle 3D shimmer under light that gives it a premium, almost artistic finish. The phone feels solid yet comfortable in hand, with curvier edges than its predecessor and a weight (213g) that strikes a nice balance between heft and usability. It’s sleek without being slippery, and the IP69K rating means it laughs at dust, splashes, and even high-pressure water jets – something I tested (gently) during a rainy hike.
Inside the box: a 100W charger, USB-C cable, and a basic case. No bloatware, no unnecessary extras – just what you need. The setup was smooth, and within minutes, I was greeted by MagicOS 10, which borrows Apple’s Liquid Glass aesthetic but keeps Android’s flexibility intact.
24 Hours Later: Is the Display Good?
Yes – exceptionally so. The 6.71-inch AMOLED panel is one of the brightest I’ve ever used, hitting up to 6,000 nits in small-area bursts (like a sun icon), but even at 20% and 100% APL, it remains vivid and readable under direct sunlight. Colors are rich but not oversaturated, and the eye comfort features – like adaptive blue light reduction and flicker-free dimming – made late-night scrolling far less straining than on my old iPhone.
What really impressed me? The curved edges don’t cause accidental touches, and the NanoCrystal Shield glass feels tougher than standard Gorilla Glass. That said, finding high-quality tempered glass protectors is tricky due to the curvature – a minor but real annoyance.
One Week Later: Speed & Power
Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, the Magic 8 Pro flies through everything. Apps launch instantly, multitasking is seamless, and even heavy games like Genshin Impact run at max settings without breaking a sweat. But the real magic? Battery life.
Depending on your region, you get either a 7,200mAh (China), 7,100mAh (global), or 6,270mAh (Europe) silicon-carbon battery. Even with the smaller European unit, I easily got two full days of moderate use. And when it’s time to charge? 100W wired charging juices it from 0 to 100% in under 30 minutes. Wireless charging at 80W is equally impressive – though sadly, no Qi2/MagSafe support.
The camera system is where Honor truly shines. The 200MP telephoto lens (85mm native, f/2.6) delivers near-DSLR detail, especially in low light. CIPA-rated 5.5-stop stabilization means handheld night shots are crisp, and macro photography is stunning – I captured individual dewdrops on spiderwebs with shocking clarity. The main 23mm wide camera and 12mm ultrawide (50MP, f/2.0) are strong too, though HDR can sometimes flatten scenes, and skies occasionally turn an unnatural electric blue.
Video, however, is a weak point. It lacks the cinematic polish of an iPhone or Pixel, with odd frame rate limits and inconsistent stabilization. If you’re a vlogger, look elsewhere.
MagicOS 10 brings clever AI tricks: Magic Capsule mimics Dynamic Island beautifully, showing live activities like timers or music playback. The AI button (yes, another one) actually works well for quick commands. And the dual front cameras enable eye-tracking – calibrate it once, and you can expand notifications just by looking at them. It’s gimmicky at first, but after a few days, it feels futuristic.
Other standout features? The ultrasonic fingerprint sensor is lightning-fast and works even with wet fingers. 3D TOF facial recognition is secure and reliable. And the IR blaster turns your phone into a universal remote – I used it to control my TV, AC, and even an old DVD player.
The Bottom Line
| Category | Score (/10) |
| Display | 9.5 |
| Camera | 8.8 |
| Battery & Charging | 9.2 |
| Performance | 9.0 |
| Software & AI | 8.3 |
| Build & Design | 8.7 |
| Overall | 8.9 |
Pros & Cons
- Display: One of the brightest, most eye-friendly OLEDs on any phone.
- Camera: Best-in-class telephoto and night photography; 200MP sensor adds incredible detail.
- Battery & Charging: All-day (or two-day) life with 100W wired and 80W wireless charging.
- Performance: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 ensures buttery-smooth operation.
- Software Support: Seven years of OS updates – matching Samsung and beating most rivals.
- Security: Ultrasonic fingerprint + 3D face recognition = top-tier biometrics.
- Video Quality: Mediocre compared to iPhone or Pixel – limited frame rates and stabilization.
- Regional Battery Discrepancy: European models get a notably smaller battery.
- Oversharpening: Photos can look artificially enhanced, especially in daylight.
- No Qi2/MagSafe: Wireless charging lacks magnetic alignment and ecosystem perks.
- Price & Availability: Expensive (~€1,100) and not officially sold in the U.S.
Tags: Honor Magic 8 Pro review, best Android phone 2025, flagship smartphone comparison, 200MP camera phone, fast charging phone, MagicOS 10, Snapdragon 8 Elite, telephoto zoom camera, eye tracking phone, IP69K phone, Honor vs Samsung, Honor vs Apple, long battery life phone, AI features smartphone, curved display phone, global flagship phone
