Honor's latest flagship, the Magic 8 Pro, has finally arrived in Europe, and it's set to take on some of the biggest names in the industry. But how does this newcomer measure up? Can its impressive camera system, snappy performance, and massive battery propel it to the top, or is it just another phone trying to keep up?
One thing that stands out immediately about the Magic 8 Pro is its camera. This is a phone where photography has been the key selling point for Honor in the past, but this latest model seems to have finally gotten it right. The triple rear camera system is comprised of a 50-megapixel main lens, a 50MP wide-angle lens, and a 200MP telephoto lens that's capable of delivering 3.7x zoom and 2-4x optical zoom in creative mode.
But what really sets the Magic 8 Pro apart is its natural depth of field, thanks to the camera's narrow focal range. This results in photos that look more like they were shot on a larger camera, rather than the usual flat, compressed images you get from phones. It's not just about technical specs - this phone actually produces great-looking shots that hold their own against bigger cameras.
In reality testing, these benefits make all the difference. The Magic 8 Pro delivered excellent results in low-light conditions, and its color accuracy is among the best I've seen on a smartphone. Of course, there are some compromises to be made - sometimes the image can feel slightly oversharpened, and fast-moving subjects can suffer from blur.
Despite these minor quibbles, Honor has finally produced a flagship phone that's worthy of its competitors. With the Magic 8 Pro, you get top-notch performance courtesy of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, along with a snappy 6.71-inch OLED display and massive 7,100mAh battery that can last two days on a single charge.
Honor has also promised to support this phone for at least seven years in Europe, which is reassuring given the company's history of supporting its devices for shorter periods. MagicOS, Honor's custom skin of Android, may not be the prettiest, but it's functional and feature-rich.
With Oppo and Vivo's latest flagships still lagging behind in terms of international availability, the Magic 8 Pro is a strong contender for those looking for a powerful phone that doesn't break the bank. So what holds this back from being the best camera on any smartphone? Personal preference plays a role - I've always been a fan of Vivo's approach to color tuning, and some users may find the image processing too sharp or over-saturated.
Still, these are minor complaints in an otherwise excellent package. The Honor Magic 8 Pro is a powerful, feature-packed phone that offers exceptional value for money. If you're in the market for a new flagship, this should be right at the top of your list.
One thing that stands out immediately about the Magic 8 Pro is its camera. This is a phone where photography has been the key selling point for Honor in the past, but this latest model seems to have finally gotten it right. The triple rear camera system is comprised of a 50-megapixel main lens, a 50MP wide-angle lens, and a 200MP telephoto lens that's capable of delivering 3.7x zoom and 2-4x optical zoom in creative mode.
But what really sets the Magic 8 Pro apart is its natural depth of field, thanks to the camera's narrow focal range. This results in photos that look more like they were shot on a larger camera, rather than the usual flat, compressed images you get from phones. It's not just about technical specs - this phone actually produces great-looking shots that hold their own against bigger cameras.
In reality testing, these benefits make all the difference. The Magic 8 Pro delivered excellent results in low-light conditions, and its color accuracy is among the best I've seen on a smartphone. Of course, there are some compromises to be made - sometimes the image can feel slightly oversharpened, and fast-moving subjects can suffer from blur.
Despite these minor quibbles, Honor has finally produced a flagship phone that's worthy of its competitors. With the Magic 8 Pro, you get top-notch performance courtesy of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, along with a snappy 6.71-inch OLED display and massive 7,100mAh battery that can last two days on a single charge.
Honor has also promised to support this phone for at least seven years in Europe, which is reassuring given the company's history of supporting its devices for shorter periods. MagicOS, Honor's custom skin of Android, may not be the prettiest, but it's functional and feature-rich.
With Oppo and Vivo's latest flagships still lagging behind in terms of international availability, the Magic 8 Pro is a strong contender for those looking for a powerful phone that doesn't break the bank. So what holds this back from being the best camera on any smartphone? Personal preference plays a role - I've always been a fan of Vivo's approach to color tuning, and some users may find the image processing too sharp or over-saturated.
Still, these are minor complaints in an otherwise excellent package. The Honor Magic 8 Pro is a powerful, feature-packed phone that offers exceptional value for money. If you're in the market for a new flagship, this should be right at the top of your list.