Update 15. January 2025
The HONOR Magic 7 Pro is now available in Europe. You can find my first impression of the device here.
Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Elite is fast
The Magic 7 Pro has received a performance boost with the new Snapdragon 8 Elite. A full 44% more power than the Magic 6 Pro. At 4,32 GHz, the processor is quite fast, but there are no real new surprises. Because let's be honest, the predecessor also handles most apps and tasks effortlessly.
The real advantage of the Magic 7 Pro could be the battery life. The battery has been increased to 5.850 mAh and charges at 100 watts in turbo mode. Those who prefer wireless charging can quickly charge the device with up to 80 watts. Thanks to the efficiency update and new cooling system, initial tests from China report a screen-on time of around 11 hours. That's certainly exciting for power users.
The memory is also generously chosen with 16GB RAM and 1TB data storage. In Europe we will probably have to make do with 512GB. But for most users this is still completely sufficient.
Camera: Familiar features upgraded
The cameras on the Magic 7 Pro sound impressive, but we already know a lot from the predecessor. The 50-megapixel main camera with variable aperture from f/1.4 to f/2.0 and the 50-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera remain almost unchanged. What is new is the "Image Engine 3.0", which uses AI to improve image quality and in particular optimizes colors and contrasts.
The highlight, however, is the 200-megapixel telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom. With a large 1/1.4-inch sensor and periscope lens, the telephoto camera is closer in quality to the Galaxy S24 Ultra. A plus point for photo fans who like to zoom into the distance.
Display: Tried and tested remains
The OLED display of the Magic 7 Pro remains unchanged - and that's a good thing in itself! With 6,8 inches, an adaptive 120 Hz refresh rate and up to 5000 nits of peak brightness in HDR mode, it is still top-class. There is also an eye-friendly 4320 Hz PWM dimming that minimizes flickering.
The ultrasonic-based fingerprint sensor from the Magic 5 Pro is also back on board and promises fast, secure unlocking.
MagicOS 9.0: Lots of AI
The new MagicOS 9.0, which runs on Android 15, brings exciting AI features. The YOYO agent helps organize appointments and reminds you of to-dos, while "Circle to Search" enables easy searches. It remains to be seen whether these functions really make everyday life easier or just remain nice gimmicks. The portrait mode also uses AI to remove distracting elements and optimize images.
There is also an update in data protection. The new operating system allows permissions to be controlled more precisely and to determine exactly when and how apps can access personal data. One open issue remains the update guarantee, which HONOR has not yet clearly defined. A point that is likely to be important for many users.
HONOR Magic 7 Pro vs HONOR Magic 6 Pro
| Model | Honor Magic 7 Pro | Honor Magic 6 Pro |
| Display | 6,8 inch OLED, LTPO, 120 Hz, 5.000 nits (peak brightness) | 6,8 inch OLED, LTPO, 120 Hz, 5.000 nits (peak brightness) |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm), Octa-Core up to 4,32 GHz | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, Octa-Core up to 3,5 GHz |
| GPU | Adreno 830 | Adreno 750 |
| RAM & Storage | 12GB / 16GB RAM, 256GB / 512GB / 1TB UFS 4.0 | 12GB RAM, 512GB UFS 4.0 |
| Cooling | 3D Dual-Engine stainless steel VC, graphite layers, 9W thermal gel | standard cooling |
| Operating system | Magic OS 9.0 (Android 15) | Magic OS 8.0 (Android 14), upgradeable to Android 15 |
| main camera | 50 MP (wide angle), 50 MP (ultra wide), 200 MP (periscope telephoto, 3x optical zoom) | 50 MP (wide angle), 50 MP (ultra wide), 180 MP (periscope telephoto, 3x optical zoom) |
| Front camera | 50 MP with 3D TOF sensor, 4K video recording at 60 FPS | 50 MP with 3D-TOF sensor |
| Battery | 5.850 mAh | 5.600 mAh |
| Charging | 100W wired, 80W wireless | 80W wired, 66W wireless |
| Class | IP68 / IP69 | IP68 |
| connectivity | 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth, NFC, Beidou satellite communication (1TB version) | 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth, NFC |
| AI features | YOYO Agent, AI Deepfake Detection, Magic Portal | YOYO Agent |
| Size | 162,7 mm x 77,1 mm x 8,8 mm | 162,5 mm x 75,8 mm x 8,9 mm |
| Weight | Approx. 223 g (including battery) | Glass: Approx. 229 g, PU: Approx. 225 g (including battery) |
Price and availability: High price for an upgrade
In China, the HONOR Magic 7 Pro starts at around €740. We in Europe will probably have to wait until the Mobile World Congress in early March 2025. The price will then probably be well above the €1.000 mark.
That sounds like a lot of money, but with the Magic 6 Pro, HONOR has already shown that they can easily compete in the upper class. With the Magic 7 Pro, Samsung is now in the starting blocks with a tough competitor!
Source: HONOR China
