HONOR Magic 8 Pro Review – The first big thing of the year!

Design, scope of delivery and workmanship

If you place the Magic 8 Pro directly next to its predecessor (towards Magic 7 Pro testEven for me, a tech nerd, it becomes an involuntary guessing game. HONOR is fully committed to evolution rather than revolution in 2026. The "glass-metal sandwich" (although we'll need to discuss the "glass" part in a moment) remains. The camera module may have shrunk a tiny bit, the flash has moved from top to bottom, and there's an additional button, but overall, the design remains quite familiar.

In Europe, we'll have to make do with black, Sunrise Gold, and a rather stylish cyan. Anyone hoping for the pristine white will be disappointed. That remains (once again) exclusive to the Chinese market. The box, by the way, is practically empty. A USB-C cable, a SIM tool, and some paperwork. If you want to take full advantage of the 100W charging speed, you'll have to reach for your wallet again and buy the compatible charger separately. Welcome to 2026.

The biggest innovation on the casing is the additional button in the aluminum frame. HONOR calls it the AI ​​Button, which is located below the volume rocker. With pressure sensitivity and swipe gesture recognition, it can do far more than a conventional button, although at the time of testing, the available software options were still somewhat limited. Essentially, it can trigger various AI functions, but in everyday use, it proved to be a more practical camera shutter release. Still, it can do a bit more than AI buttons from other manufacturers!

The display curves gently at all four edges, thus avoiding the annoying accidental touches of the extreme edge displays of the past. Only the pre-applied screen protector feels slightly sharp when wiping from the edge. Since the NanoCrystal Shield glass is supposed to be quite durable anyway, going "bare" would probably be the better choice. Speaking of protection, the smartphone is certified to IP68/IP69/IP69K standards and has an SGS 5-star drop resistance rating.

Then there's the back. This time, HONOR has opted for a fiber-reinforced plastic instead of traditional glass. While this might initially sound like a downgrade, it feels significantly more premium than the plastic backs found in lower-priced devices and should be considerably more shatter-resistant than glass. However, it's just as slippery as glass, attracts fingerprints like a magnet, and will likely scratch more easily than Gorilla Glass. Ultimately, whether you like plastic on a €1.300 smartphone is probably a matter of personal preference.

Display

The OLED display has shrunk from 6,8 inches to 6,71 inches compared to its predecessor, making the Magic 8 Pro a few millimeters more compact in all dimensions. Despite the downsizing, there are several improvements, most notably an increase in maximum brightness, which reaches an absolute peak of 6000 nits. No matter how you turn or position the smartphone, and regardless of the weather conditions, the display remains highly legible.

With a resolution of 1.280 × 2.800 pixels (453 ppi), HONOR may not win any head-to-head against the 1440p elite, but anyone still counting pixels here has bigger problems. The display is razor-sharp, colors are pleasantly natural, and thanks to LTPO technology, the panel switches smoothly between 1 Hz and 120 Hz. Incidentally, high frame rates are also supported for gaming. The Magic 8 Pro can display both graphically demanding 3D games and simpler arcade titles at more than 60 fps.

Functionally, the "Eye-Friendly HONOR Display" menu item conceals a whole arsenal of features for eye health. These include individual adjustment of brightness, contrast, and color reproduction via on-screen test, a blue light filter, color temperature-dependent adjustment to ambient light, and a defocus mode designed to simulate viewing distant content. A motion sickness reduction function is also included.

Those who enjoy streaming series and movies on their smartphones will find all common HDR standards supported, including HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and HDR Vivid. Netflix streams content in Full HD with HDR, supported by Widevine L1. HDR playback on YouTube also works flawlessly, even in picture-in-picture mode.

Performance

That HONOR will opt for Qualcomm's latest computing powerhouse for its 2026 flagship is as certain as death and taxes. The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, manufactured using a 3nm process, will power the Magic 8 Pro with massive performance, including 20 percent more CPU power compared to its predecessor, 23 percent more GPU performance, and an NPU that juggles AI data a full 37 percent faster.

While in China you can choose between different memory configurations, here in Europe we only have the standard package with 12 GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 512 GB of UFS 4.1 storage. That's more than enough for 99% of all users, but anyone hoping for 16 GB of RAM or a terabyte of internal storage will unfortunately have to import it.

In the raw benchmark scores from Geekbench, AnTuTu, or 3DMark, the Magic 8 Pro doesn't quite reach first place. HONOR seems to have tuned the GPU a bit more conservatively than some of its gaming-focused competitors. But—and this is a big but—the situation is different when it comes to stability. While other smartphones with the Elite chip succumb to overheating after a few minutes of gaming, the Magic 8 Pro remains remarkably stable.

Things get interesting (and a little frustrating) when it comes to CPU behavior. The battery settings include the obligatory "Performance Mode," which, after a few minutes of stress testing, does indeed make the Magic 8 Pro sweat. The CPU remains significantly more relaxed, albeit at a lower performance level, in "Balanced Mode." It should be noted, however, that for 99% of all users, the choice between Performance and Balanced Mode will make no difference. Games and apps run smoothly regardless.

Connectivity and audio

Mobile

In terms of features, the Magic 8 Pro leaves nothing to be desired. It naturally operates on 4G and 5G networks and supports a wide range of European frequencies. During the test period, reception was consistently stable, whether in the city, in the countryside, or in the car. HONOR offers flexible SIM configuration options. It supports two physical nano-SIMs, one nano-SIM plus an eSIM, or even two eSIMs simultaneously. VoLTE and VoWiFi are supported, ensuring fast call setup and clear voice quality.

During phone calls, the Magic 8 Pro impresses with excellent clarity. The microphones perform well, reliably filtering out wind and ambient noise. The earpiece speaker reaches a high volume without any unpleasant distortion.

Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and location

Wireless standards include Wi-Fi 7, which performs its duties unobtrusively and reliably in everyday use, and Bluetooth 6.0. Supported protocols include aptX HD, Adaptive and Lossless, LHDC 5, and LDAC. The ASHA protocol for hearing aids is also included. NFC is, of course, present and worked flawlessly for mobile payments in our tests.

For location tracking, the Magic 8 Pro uses dual-band GPS and accesses GPS, AGPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo, and QZSS. Positioning is fast and precise, usually within a few seconds, and with high accuracy. Navigation in the car was completely uninterrupted. Additionally, an infrared transmitter on the top allows the smartphone to be used as a universal remote control.

USB and sensors

The USB-C port operates at USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps) and supports DisplayPort for video and audio output to external displays. All the expected sensors are included, such as accelerometer, proximity and ambient light sensors, gyroscope, barometer, Hall sensor, and e-compass. The fingerprint sensor is located under the display and works quickly and reliably. Additionally, secure 3D facial recognition is available, which unlocks the smartphone just as quickly.

Loudspeakers

HONOR's speaker system uses an unusual stereo setup with two equally sized 12 x 16 mm speakers, employing dual open-chamber technology. This utilizes the smartphone's internal components as a resonance chamber to enhance bass frequencies. A separate, smaller earpiece driver is also used for phone calls.

The result is impressive. In the volume test, the Magic 8 Pro achieved excellent results, which is not a given even in the flagship segment. Compared to its predecessor, the sound has been improved once again. Voices sound clearer, the treble more vibrant, and the bass is more precise and better controlled than before. While it remains physically limited for a smartphone, it sounds surprisingly present.

Software

The Magic 8 Pro comes with Android 16 and a promise of seven years of operating system and security updates, meaning it will theoretically remain up-to-date until 2033. HONOR is thus catching up with Google and Samsung, making a clear statement that one definitely wants to hear when investing €1.300.

Anyone familiar with MagicOS knows that HONOR tinkers extensively with the system. The current MagicOS 10, however, feels more mature than previous versions. The interface is cleaner, the animations are smoother, and stylish glass effects and blur elements are everywhere, subtly hinting at Cupertino's influence. It's no secret that HONOR is keen to emulate the iPhone, but when the result looks this fluid and polished, I'm not complaining.

The Magic Capsule, HONOR's answer to the Dynamic Island, is of course back and displays notifications around the selfie area. The huge folders (up to 15 apps in a 2x3 grid) are also still there. They might not be for everyone, but they're practical if you want to use your home screen efficiently.

Artificial intelligence remains an exciting topic at HONOR this year as well. Behind a lot of marketing jargon, however, are some genuinely useful tools. First and foremost is Magic Portal, a smart copy-paste tool with AI-based context suggestions, which I've come to use quite a lot.

However, the HONOR AI range also includes other practical everyday helpers, such as AI subtitles for real-time transcription of videos and speech, AI translations for live translations during conversations, a translation function for phone calls, and AI reminders, a kind of digital scrapbook for screenshots and texts.

The AI ​​package is complemented by an extensive collection of photo editing functions. These include, among other things, object removal, image upscaling, and automatic subject realignment.

Many of these functions can be accessed directly via the new AI key. The key supports three different input methods and can therefore be assigned multiple functions. In addition to AI functions, classic shortcuts can also be assigned there.

camera

The Magic 8 Pro's triple-camera setup is a logical evolution of what we already know from the Magic 7 Pro. But the devil is in the details.

The biggest improvement concerns the telephoto lens, which fell somewhat short of expectations on the Magic 7 Pro. HONOR seems to have listened to the criticism and this time has installed an optically stabilized 200 MP Samsung ISOCELL HP9 sensor with a 1/1,4-inch sensor and an f/2.6 aperture. The focal length is now a true 85 mm (3,7x zoom), compared to an extrapolated 72 mm (3x zoom) on the predecessor.

The main camera, however, remains largely unchanged and presumably still uses the optically stabilized 1/1,3-inch 50 MP Omnivision OV50H sensor, which HONOR already introduced with the Magic 6 Pro. The variable f/1.4 to f/2.0 aperture has been replaced in the Magic 8 Pro with a fixed f/1.6 aperture.

The ultra-wide-angle camera remains unchanged at 50 MP, 12 mm focal length, f/2.0 aperture, and 122° field of view. The front camera also retains its 50 MP resolution and f/2.0 aperture, but now uses fixed focus instead of autofocus. Here's a summary of the cameras' technical details:

•  Main camera: 50 MP Omnivision OV50H, 1/1,3 inch, f/1.6 aperture, 23 mm focal length, laser AF, PDAF, OIS, video up to 4K120
•  Telephoto camera: 200 MP Samsung ISOCELL HP9, 1/1,4 inch, f/2.6 aperture, 85 mm focal length, PDAF, OIS, video up to 4K120
•  Ultra-wide angle: 50 MP, 1/2,88 inch, f/2.0 aperture, 12 mm focal length (122 degrees), PDAF, video up to 4K60
•  Front camera: 50 MP, 1/2,93 inch, f/2.0 aperture, 21 mm focal length, fixed focus, video up to 4K60

main camera

In good lighting conditions, the Magic 8 Pro demonstrates why HONOR has a strong reputation for cameras. The main camera delivers sharp, detailed photos with a wide dynamic range and vibrant, but not oversaturated, colors. The exposure leans slightly towards the bright side without sacrificing highlights.

People are rendered very well, skin tones appear natural, and the subtle, natural bokeh combined with the 2x zoom can even make portrait mode unnecessary in some situations. Here are some shots taken with a 46mm focal length.

In low light, HONOR's AI capabilities are particularly evident. Even without AI, the main camera delivers very good night shots with clean exposure, vibrant colors, and decent detail. Activating the AI ​​night mode makes textures significantly clearer. However, this comes at the expense of naturalness, which is why some shots appear artificial.

Telecamera

The telephoto camera delivers very good results up to approximately 10x magnification, with clean detail and stable white balance. Colors are slightly more subdued than with the main camera, which can even be more pleasing in some situations. Portraits are visually well-isolated, although the face isn't always perfectly sharp. The focus occasionally seems to shift slightly.

At night, the telephoto camera also benefits from AI support, which is why some very beautiful, but also somewhat artificial-looking shots are produced.

Ultra wide angle camera

Excellent sharpness across the entire image, stable colors, and decent dynamic range, despite the extreme viewing angle. This makes it particularly good for taking great photos of wide landscapes. However, at night, it can't compete with the main camera or telephoto camera.

Front camera

Overall, a decent camera that settles somewhere in the mid-range of flagship models. Color reproduction appears natural and the dynamic range is excellent. Group selfies are somewhat hampered by the lack of autofocus.

Video

The Magic 8 Pro records videos with its main and telephoto cameras in up to 4K at 120 fps. The ultrawide and front cameras are limited to 4K60. Dynamic range is strong, though colors appear slightly oversaturated. Sharpness could be improved, especially with the main and ultrawide cameras. The telephoto lens performs best in this regard. Stabilization works well overall, particularly with steady shots and slow panning.

At night, the level of detail noticeably decreases. The main camera looks good from a distance, but loses sharpness upon closer inspection. The ultrawide lens exhibits significant noise, while the telephoto lens remains comparatively sharp, but is also grainy.

Battery

When it comes to batteries, HONOR continues to play the geographical game. Those living in China get the Magic 8 Pro with a massive 7.200 mAh battery. Here in Europe, we have to make do with 6.270 mAh, which is still an increase of 1.000 mAh compared to its predecessor. Under the hood, all models feature the new silicon-carbon technology, which stores significantly more energy in a smaller space than conventional batteries.

Battery life has improved even further compared to its predecessor. Where the Magic 7 Pro needed to be plugged in every 1 to 1.5 days, the Magic 8 Pro easily lasts 1.5 days and, depending on usage, even up to 2 days at a time.

With a compatible HONOR SuperCharge power adapter or a high-performance Power Delivery adapter, the Magic 8 Pro can (theoretically) charge at up to 100 watts. In our test, a full charge took just 39 minutes. In addition to wired charging, wireless charging is also supported. At up to 80 watts, the charging power remains high enough to fully charge the battery in under an hour.

As with its predecessor, HONOR has integrated several battery-saving features. The Smart Battery Capacity option limits the charge slightly below the actual maximum voltage. The Safe Charge function stops the charging process at 100 percent and only restarts it when the battery level drops below 95 percent. Additionally, a fixed charging limit of 70, 80, or 90 percent can be set, which can be particularly useful when the device is permanently plugged in.