Unveiling the Honor Magic 5 Pro: A Comprehensive Review

Honor Magic 5 Pro Review: A Flagship Worth Considering, with Caveats

The Honor Magic 5 Pro is a flagship smartphone that demands attention, offering unique features and camera capabilities. While it falls short in certain areas and is not available in the U.S., it presents a compelling option for users seeking a premium Android device with distinct priorities.

User Comfort and Convenience, Backed by Impressive Camera Hardware:

The Magic 5 Pro diverges from the typical focus on feature balance or raw performance in other flagship smartphones. Instead, it prioritizes user comfort, convenience, and exceptional camera hardware. With its triple 50MP rear cameras, a curved design for ergonomic grip, rapid charging capabilities, and a display equipped with innovative eye health technology, the Honor flagship offers compelling reasons to stand out in a crowded market.

Price and Positioning:

One must consider the price point of the Honor Magic 5 Pro, which falls between entry-level and ultra-grade smartphones. For some users, this positioning will be ideal, offering a well-balanced package. However, others may find themselves desiring additional features typically found in higher-priced devices, raising questions about the value proposition the Magic 5 Pro provides. Additionally, certain individuals may find the charging speed, specific camera performance, or chip capabilities to be lacking compared to the competition.

After extensively using the Honor Magic 5 Pro, it is evident that Honor has succeeded in creating another flagship smartphone that warrants attention. While its unavailability in the U.S. may limit its appeal to certain users, those seeking a premium Android device with unique attributes and camera prowess will find it a compelling option. With a focus on user comfort and convenience, alongside impressive camera hardware, the Honor Magic 5 Pro offers a distinctive alternative in a market dominated by feature-centric and performance-driven smartphones.

Honor Magic 5 Pro review: Price and availability

Honor, the renowned smartphone manufacturer, has introduced its latest flagship device, the Honor Magic 5 Pro, which aims to captivate consumers with its impressive features and competitive pricing. Priced at £949 in the U.K., the Magic 5 Pro offers a compelling alternative to other high-end smartphones in the market. Notably, it comes in at £100 less than the Galaxy S23 Plus, £150 less than the Xiaomi 13 Pro, and an impressive £300 less than the Galaxy S23 Ultra.

While the Magic 5 Pro boasts an enticing price point, it faces stiff competition from other notable contenders. The OnePlus 11, priced at £729, and the Google Pixel 7 Pro, available for £849, present appealing options for consumers seeking value for their money. This intensified rivalry makes it challenging for the Honor Magic 5 Pro to distinguish itself in terms of value proposition truly.

One would expect that being independent of Huawei would open doors for Honor’s expansion into new markets, such as the United States. However, regrettably, the Magic 5 Pro has not yet made its way to American shores. Despite the potential and allure of the device, its unavailability in the U.S. poses a setback for Honor’s ambitions in the international market.

Honor Magic 5 Pro review: Design and display

The Honor Magic 5 Pro effortlessly captures attention with its stunning design and captivating display. Available in both Black and Meadow Green, the curved IP68-rated body of the device exudes elegance. In particular, the black variant, with its round, sloping camera block, resembles a mesmerizing black hole that served as inspiration for its design. However, having experienced both options, I find the green model with its matte finish more appealing, especially considering how the glossy black back accumulates fingerprints throughout a regular day of use.

The centerpiece of the Magic 5 Pro is its 6.81-inch AMOLED panel, which delivers an immersive visual experience. This display features an adaptive refresh rate that intelligently adjusts between 1Hz and 120Hz, ensuring smooth transitions and optimal performance. With a maximum brightness of 1,800 nits, the Magic 5 Pro’s screen meets the industry standard for flagship-grade displays. However, what sets it apart are the unique characteristics it brings to the table.

One notable feature is the “quad-curved display,” an unconventional screen design that offers the benefits of a rounded display on all sides. While visually appealing, I must admit that I didn’t notice a significant difference when holding the phone horizontally to watch videos. Additionally, I wonder how users who prefer flat displays would adapt to a phone that curves on all edges, as it might not be their preferred choice.

Honor Magic 5 Pro review: Cameras

The Honor Magic 5 Pro impresses with its camera capabilities, combining a trio of 50MP cameras to handle main, ultrawide, and 3.5x telephoto functions. While these cameras may not reach the same heights as those found in top-tier devices like the Galaxy S23 Ultra, they still live up to the “Pro” designation. Complementing the rear cameras is a front-facing 12MP selfie camera, which is accompanied by a 3D depth sensor. This unconventional addition proves to be a valuable feature, offering secure face unlocking and enhancing portrait mode photography.

Honor Magic 5 Pro review: Performance

Honor ensures that the Magic 5 Pro stands tall among its competitors, boasting impressive performance specifications. Powering the device is a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, accompanied by up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.

When examining the benchmark results, it becomes evident that the 12GB variant of the Magic 5 Pro performs admirably in Geekbench 5 single-core tests, aligning closely with other Android smartphones. However, it falls short of surpassing the top-performing Galaxy S23 Plus and iPhone 14 Pro in Geekbench scores. On the other hand, in graphics testing, the Magic 5 Pro outperforms the iPhone, which is a consistent outcome for devices powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.

Despite not topping the charts in all categories, the Magic 5 Pro still offers substantial GPU power for gaming enthusiasts and exhibits swift transcoding times in applications such as Adobe Premiere Rush. This ensures an enjoyable gaming experience and efficient video editing capabilities for users of the device.

Honor Magic 5 Pro review: Battery and charging

Honor has made impressive strides in the realm of battery and charging, setting itself apart from its competitors in terms of specifications. The Magic 5 Pro boasts a substantial 5,100 mAh battery, surpassing the common 5,000 mAh cells found in most rival smartphones. Additionally, it offers the convenience of 66W wired charging and 50W wireless charging, further enhancing its appeal.

During our testing, we observed the Magic 5 Pro’s charging performance. After 15 minutes of being plugged in, the battery reached 43% capacity, followed by 78% after 30 minutes, and eventually reached a full charge in just 47 minutes. Although it may not match the lightning-fast speeds of the OnePlus 11’s 100W charging or the Xiaomi 13 Pro’s 120W charging, which can fully charge a battery in under 30 minutes, the Magic 5 Pro still outperforms offerings from Google, Samsung, and Apple.

In terms of battery endurance, the 5,100 mAh battery in the Magic 5 Pro showcases its resilience. After three hours of streaming a 1080p YouTube video at half brightness and volume, the battery only depleted by 15%. Comparatively, the Sony Xperia 10 IV, the top performer in this unofficial test, demonstrated a similar drain rate. This result underscores the commendable battery life of the Honor Magic 5 Pro.

Honor Magic 5 Pro review: Software

The Honor Magic 5 Pro offers a software experience centered around the latest Android 13 version, accompanied by the MagicOS 7.1 interface. Honor assures users of three years of comprehensive updates and an impressive five-year period of security updates, aligning with industry standards.

However, it’s worth noting that the three-year update window falls short of the four-year support provided by Samsung for its flagship and midrange models. Nevertheless, the Honor Magic 5 Pro’s software incorporates unique elements that differentiate it from standard Android interfaces.

MagicOS serves as an Android skin, introducing various modifications to enhance the user experience. Notably, the addition of “large folders” enables the consolidation of nine apps into the space of four regular icons, allowing for easy access to each app individually. This feature optimizes the home screen layout and maximizes usability. Additionally, MagicOS enables users to swipe down on specific apps to open temporary widgets, eliminating the need for permanent placement on the home screen. These software enhancements contribute to a more personalized and efficient user interface on the Honor Magic 5 Pro.

Verdict

Honor may not disrupt the dominance of Samsung, Google, or OnePlus in the upper echelons of flagship Android smartphones. However, devices like the Magic 5 Pro demonstrate that Honor belongs among these top-tier contenders.

For users in the United States, options are limited, as they would have to resort to a Galaxy S23 Plus or consider more affordable alternatives like the Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, or OnePlus 11 unless they are willing to navigate international imports. On the other hand, users in the United Kingdom have the advantage of easy access to the Magic 5 Pro. If they find themselves drawn to the phone’s unique blend of features, impressive display, and versatile camera setup with ultrawide and telephoto capabilities, or if the price aligns well with their budget, the Magic 5 Pro should certainly be on their shortlist of considerations.