Honor Magic7 Pro Review 1

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I have been a big fan of Honor’s flagship phones since the Honor Magic4 Pro. They competed well with both Samsung and Pixel phones while undercutting them on price.

Honor has now launched the Magic7 Pro, making them the first big brand to launch a flagship phone in Wester markets for 2025.

Like most phones, the Honor Magic7 Pro is an incremental upgrade, but the upgrades are welcome. In particular, this phone features a 5850 mAh silicon-carbon battery, which is likely much larger than the capacities offered by Samsung, Google, Xiaomi, and OnePlus.

I have only had this phone for less than a week, so this is more of an initial review. I plan to update it over the next few weeks.

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Specification

Honor Magic7 Pro 3

Specification

Honor Magic7 Pro

BODY

Dimensions: 162.7 x 77.1 x 8.8 mm (6.41 x 3.04 x 0.35 in)

Weight: 223 g (7.87 oz)

Build: Glass front (Rhino Glass), glass back

SIM: Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM

IP68/IP69 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)

DISPLAY

Type: LTPO OLED, 1B colours, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR, 1600 nits (HBM), 5000 nits (peak)

Size: 6.8 inches, 112.8 cm² (~89.9% screen-to-body ratio)

Resolution: 1280 x 2800 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~453 ppi density)

Protection: Giant rhino glass

HDR image support

PLATFORM

OS: Android 15, MagicOS 9

Chipset: Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm)

CPU: Octa-core (2×4.32 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix L + 6×3.53 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix M)

GPU: Adreno 830

MEMORY

Card slot: No

Internal: 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM

MAIN CAMERA

Triple: 50 MP, f/1.4-2.0, 23mm (wide), 1/1.3″, 1.2µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS

200 MP, f/2.6, 69mm (periscope telephoto), 1/1.4″, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom

50 MP, f/2.0, 12mm (ultrawide), 1/2.8″, 0.61µm, dual pixel PDAF

Features: Laser AF, colour spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama

Video: 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@24/30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS, OIS, HDR, 10-bit video

SELFIE CAMERA

Single: 50 MP, f/2.0, 22mm (wide), 1/2.93″, 0.6µm, AF

TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)

Video: 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS

SOUND

Loudspeaker: Yes, with large-amplitude stereo speakers

3.5mm jack: No

COMMS

WLAN: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct

Bluetooth: 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD

Positioning: GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a)

NFC: Yes, HCE, NFC-SIM

Infrared port: Yes

Radio: No

USB: USB Type-C 3.2, DisplayPort 1.2, OTG

FEATURES

Sensors: Fingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass

Emergency SOS via satellite (messages and calls)

BATTERY

Type: SiC 5270mAh 

Charging: 100W wired, 80W wireless, Reverse wired, 5W reverse wired

MISC

Colours: Black, White, Gray, Blue

Honor Magic7 Pro vs Honor Magic6 Pro Key Hardware Differences

honor magic 7 pro hero

Like most phones nowadays, new launches tend to be incremental upgrades.

The main differences for me are the new upgraded  Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, an improved telephoto lens with a bigger sensor size, higher resolution, and a more useful 3x zoom vs. 2.5x, and a larger 5850 mAh silicon-carbon battery, which has one of the largest battery capacities on the market. It also has faster charging for both wired and wireless.

Processor & Platform

  • Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm) vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm)
  • Android 15 vs Android 14
  • MagicOS 9 vs MagicOS 8

Camera System

  • Telephoto: 200MP f/2.6 with 3x optical zoom vs 180MP f/2.6 with 2.5x optical zoom
  • Main ultrawide: f/2.0, 12mm vs f/2.0, 13mm
  • Video capabilities: Additional 240fps option on Magic7 Pro

Battery & Charging

  • 5850mAh vs 5600mAh battery capacity
  • 100W wired vs 80W wired charging
  • 80W wireless vs 66W wireless charging

Build & Protection

  • Rhino Glass front vs NanoCrystal Shield
  • IP68/IP69 rating vs IP68 rating
  • Different dust/water resistance specifications

Display

  • 120Hz vs 120Hz refresh rate
  • ~89.9% vs ~91.6% screen-to-body ratio
  • Different glass protection technologies

Connectivity

  • Bluetooth 5.4 vs 5.3

Design

Honor Magic7 Pro Colours

The Honor Magic7 Pro features a refined design that builds upon its predecessor’s aesthetics. With dimensions of 162.7 x 77.1 x 8.8 mm and weighing 223g, it’s a large device that feels premium in hand. The phone sports a glass front and back, with the front protected by Rhino Glass, which should offer improved durability over standard glass.

HonorMagic7 Pro Design

One notable change is the move to a quad-curved display, similar to what we’ve seen on devices like the Vivo X200 Pro. This design choice results in a sleek, symmetrical look that’s pleasing to the eye. The curved edges also help to minimise the perceived thickness of the device, making it more comfortable to hold despite its large size. That being said, many people find curved displays less user-friendly, and both Samsung and Pixel phones stick to a flat display for this reason.

Another caveat for curved displays is the fact that it is harder to get a good screen protector. In the past, I have found that a curved screen protector plus a case inevitably causes the protector to lift off the screen. I haven’t had the Magic7 Pro long enough to test this.

HonorMagic7 Pro Design5

The camera module on the rear has been redesigned, now appearing more subdued and less pronounced compared to the Magic6 Pro. This change gives the phone a more streamlined appearance, which some users might prefer over the more flamboyant design of its predecessor.

Honor has also improved the device’s durability, with the Magic7 Pro boasting an IP68/IP69 rating for dust and water resistance. This is an upgrade from the previous model’s IP68 rating, which offers better protection against water ingress. In reality, I haven’t had a phone break from liquid ingress for about 10 years, and I regularly run outdoors in the rain.

During the press event, Honor demoed the durability of the phone including running it through a dishwasher and having people cut vegatables on top of the phone, all without causing any damage.

The phone is available in several colour options, including Black, White, Gray, and Blue. The review unit I received came in Black, which features a matte finish that does an excellent job of resisting fingerprints and smudges.

Display

HonorMagic7 Pro Design 3

The Magic7 Pro comes equipped with a 6.8-inch LTPO OLED display, offering a resolution of 1280 x 2800 pixels. This translates to a pixel density of approximately 453 ppi, which, while not class-leading, still provides sharp and clear visuals for most users.

The display supports a 120Hz refresh rate, 1 billion colours, and HDR10+, ensuring smooth scrolling and vibrant, lifelike colours. One of the standout features is the peak brightness of 5000 nits, which is significantly higher than most competitors. This extreme brightness should make the phone exceptionally easy to use even in direct sunlight.

However, it’s worth noting that the screen-to-body ratio has slightly decreased from the previous model, now at about 89.9% compared to the Magic6 Pro’s 91.6%. This difference is likely negligible in real-world use, but it’s an interesting step back in an era where manufacturers typically strive to maximise screen real estate. It is quite possible that Honor has done this from a usability perspective, as very high screen-to-body ratios can be prone to mistouches when you hold the phone.

Biometrics

Honor has continued to offer one of the best biometric security setups on the market with the Magic7 Pro. The device features an under-display fingerprint sensor, which, in my testing, has proven to be fast and reliable. The placement feels natural, and I’ve had very few misreads during my time with the phone.

What sets the Magic7 Pro apart from many Android competitors is its 3D face unlock capability. The phone uses a Time-of-Flight (ToF) sensor in conjunction with the front-facing camera to create a 3D map of your face. This technology is similar to what we’ve seen on iPhones and provides a more secure face unlock method compared to the 2D solutions found on most Android devices.

The 3D face unlock works well in various lighting conditions, including low light, and offers a seamless way to unlock your device. It’s particularly useful when your hands are occupied or when wearing gloves.

The only issue with the 3D face unlock is that you have the pill-shaped cut-out rather than the smaller pinhole design. Honor reduces the impact of this by integrating it into the UI, similar to Apple.  Personally, I think the faster and more secure 3D face unlock is well worth the large cut-out on the display.

Camera

AX HONOR BLED D2 0837

The camera system on the Honor Magic7 Pro has seen some notable upgrades, particularly in the telephoto department. The triple camera setup consists of:

  1. Main Camera: 50 MP, f/1.4-2.0, 23 mm (wide), 1/1.3″ sensor size, 1.2µm pixel size, dual pixel PDAF, OIS
  2. Telephoto Camera: 200 MP, f/2.6, 69mm (periscope), 1/1.4″ sensor size, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom
  3. Ultra-wide Camera: 50 MP, f/2.0, 12 mm, 1/2.8″ sensor size, 0.61µm pixel size, dual pixel PDAF

The main camera remains largely unchanged from the Magic6 Pro, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing as it was already a capable shooter. The variable aperture (f/1.4-2.0) allows for greater control over depth of field and low-light performance.

The most significant upgrade comes in the form of the new telephoto camera. Honor has increased the resolution from 180 MP to 200 MP and extended the optical zoom range from 2.5x to 3x. The larger 1/1.4″ sensor size should theoretically allow for better low-light performance and image quality at zoom levels.

The ultra-wide camera has seen a slight change in its focal length, now at 12mm compared to the previous 13mm. This should provide an even wider field of view, useful for landscape and architectural photography.

In practice, the camera system performs well in most situations. The main camera produces sharp, well-exposed images with good dynamic range and accurate colours. The new telephoto lens is a welcome improvement, offering clearer zoomed shots and better performance in challenging lighting conditions.

However, it’s worth noting that Honor’s image processing can sometimes be heavy-handed, particularly when using AI-enhanced features or zooming beyond the optical range. This can result in over-smoothed textures and a loss of fine detail, especially noticeable in complex scenes like foliage or distant architecture. This seems to be a common trend with Chinese brands. Samsung, Google and Apple all take more natural-looking photos. I think your average user, most people will either not notice, or prefer the exaggerated colours that some brands offer as it creates a more visually impressive photo which will look better on social media.

The ultra-wide camera performs admirably, maintaining good colour consistency with the main sensor and showing minimal distortion at the edges. However, in low-light situations, it does struggle more than the main and telephoto lenses.

Video capabilities have seen a minor upgrade, with the addition of a 240fps slow-motion option at 1080p resolution. The phone can still record 4K video at up to 60fps, with good stabilisation thanks to the combination of OIS and EIS.

The front-facing camera is a 50 MP, f/2.0 unit with autofocus capabilities. It produces detailed selfies and works well for video calls. The addition of the ToF sensor also allows for more accurate portrait mode effects on selfies.

Camera Samples

Performance / Benchmarks

The Honor Magic7 Pro is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, built on a 3nm process. This represents a generational leap from the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 found in the Magic6 Pro and should offer improved performance and efficiency.

The CPU configuration consists of:

  • 2x 4.32 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix L cores
  • 6x 3.53 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix M cores

This is paired with the Adreno 830 GPU, which promises significant improvements in graphics performance over its predecessor.

In my testing, the Magic7 Pro has handled everything I’ve thrown at it with ease. Apps open instantly, multitasking is smooth, and even demanding games run without a hitch. The 120Hz display combined with the powerful chipset results in a very fluid user experience.

In the EU, the phone comes with either 12GB RAM or 512GB of storage as standard, which is much more generous than the base models from Samsung and Pixel.

For benchmarks, the phone scores predictably impressive results. In the 3DMark Wild Life Stress Test, the Magic7 Pro achieved the best loop of 23271 and the lowest loop score of 15357 vs 18160 and 11867 on the Magic6 Pro. That represents a 28% and 29% uplift in performance. The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra scored lower with  17580/9828.

For Antutu, the Honor Magic7 Pro scored 2212900, which is 14% higher than the 1945797 achieved by the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.

Battery Life and Charging

Disappointingly, the Magic7 Pro that has launched in the EU has a smaller battery than the Chinese variant. The EU model has a capacity of 5270mAh vs 5850 mAh, both the Chinese model and Magic7 RSR. This is also smaller than the 5600 mAh on the Honor Magic6 Pro.

When questioned about this, Honor stated that the Chinese market is different from the UK. I then questioned why they squeezed the 5850 mAh battery in the Magic7 RSR and was told this was due to the chassis. As far as I can tell, the dimensions are the same for the Magic7 Pro and RSR, but the RSR weighs slightly more.

Personally, I feel like this decision was made to make the RSR look more compelling and justify its significantly higher price tag.

With that gripe out of the way, the Magic7 Pro does still have an excellent battery, and it is larger than the reported Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, the older S24 Ultra and the Pixel 9 Pro XL.

In my limited testing, the battery life has been impressive. With moderate to heavy use, including some gaming, photography, and plenty of social media browsing, I’ve consistently been able to get through a full day with 40-50% battery remaining. For lighter users, two-day battery life should be achievable.

The charging capabilities have also seen an upgrade. The Magic7 Pro supports:

  • 100W wired charging (up from 80W on the Magic6 Pro)
  • 80W wireless charging (up from 66W)
  • Reverse wireless charging at 5W

With the included 100W charger, I’ve been able to charge the phone from 0 to 100% in about 35 minutes, which is remarkably fast considering the large battery capacity. The 80W wireless charging is also impressively quick, taking just under an hour for a full charge.

There is always the concern about how much of an impact ultra-fast charging has on a battery.  Honor claims they have implemented technology to protect the battery in the long term. For me, at least, I use slow charging overnight and only use these fast charging technologies when I need a top up, especially when travelling or working away.

Connectivity

The Honor Magic7 Pro offers a comprehensive suite of connectivity options, in line with what we expect from a 2025 flagship device. This includes:

  • 5G support
  • Wi-Fi 7
  • Bluetooth 5.4
  • NFC for contactless payments
  • GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, and NavIC for accurate location services

The upgrade to Bluetooth 5.4 from 5.3 in the previous model should offer improved reliability and efficiency in wireless connections.

During my testing, I’ve found the cellular and Wi-Fi connections to be stable and fast. The phone quickly switches between available networks and maintains a strong signal in areas where other devices might struggle.

One unique feature that Honor has included is satellite connectivity for emergency SOS messages and calls. While I haven’t had the opportunity (or misfortune) to test this feature, it’s a welcome addition that could prove life-saving in extreme situations.

Android 15 and MagicOS 9

The Honor Magic7 Pro runs on Android 15 with Honor’s custom MagicOS 9 overlay. This represents an upgrade from Android 14 and MagicOS 8 found on the Magic6 Pro.

MagicOS 9 brings several new features and refinements to the user experience. The interface feels snappy and responsive, taking full advantage of the 120Hz display and powerful hardware.

Some notable features of MagicOS 9 include:

  1. Enhanced AI capabilities: Honor has integrated more AI features throughout the system, including improved text recognition and smart suggestions.
  2. Improved multi-tasking: The new multi-window and floating window features make it easier to use multiple apps simultaneously.
  3. Privacy and security enhancements: MagicOS 9 includes new privacy features, such as more granular app permissions and improved encryption.
  4. Customisation options: The new version offers more ways to personalise your device, including new themes, icon packs, and always-on display designs.

One particularly interesting feature is the “Magic Portal,” which allows for quick actions between apps. For example, you can use your knuckle to circle text in one app and quickly share it to another app without copying and pasting.

While MagicOS 9 offers a feature-rich experience, it may not appeal to users who prefer a more stock Android look and feel. The interface can feel busy at times, and there are some pre-installed apps that some users might consider bloatware.

Honor’s commitment to software updates for the Magic7 Pro remains unclear. While the company has improved its update policy in recent years, it still lags behind some competitors in terms of the length of support promised for flagship devices.

Price and Alternative Options

As of the time of writing, Honor has not yet announced official pricing for the Magic7 Pro in Western markets.

Early leaks suggest the Magic7 Pro will go for €1,225.90 with 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. The Magic6 Pro launched at £1099/€1299.

The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL launched at £1099. Although it is an excellent phone, it has a less powerful chipset, a smaller battery, and slower charging. However, it has better software support and a cleaner OS and is generally regarded as superior for photography.

The Samsung Galaxy 24 Ulta, which launched at a starting price of £1249, has 12GB RAM and 256GB storage.

The Samsung Galaxy 25 Ulta will likely launch soon and will be an excellent alternative, albeit more expensive.

Xiaomi and OnePlus will likely offer the best alternatives soon if you are looking for good value for money.

Overall

I loved the Honor Magic5 Pro and Magic6 Pro; I found that they both offered outstanding performance that could easily compete with Samsung and Google and better them in some areas while offering better value for money.

I haven’t confirmed the Honor Magic7 Pro price yet, but I assume it will follow the same trend as previous years. Therefore, I expect this will be my favourite phone of the year, purely for the price-to-performance ratio.

Overall, the Honor Magic7 Pro represents a solid iteration of its predecessor, bringing meaningful upgrades in key areas. The new Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset ensures top-tier performance, while the improved camera system, particularly the new telephoto lens, offers enhanced photography capabilities.

MagicOS 9 brings some interesting features and improvements, but it may still feel cluttered compared to more minimalist Android skins.

The camera system is capable and versatile, though Honor’s image processing can sometimes be overzealous, resulting in a loss of natural detail.

In conclusion, the Honor Magic7 Pro is an outstanding flagship that excels in areas like battery life, charging speed, and raw performance.

Honor Magic7 Pro Review

Summary

The Honor Magic7 Pro builds upon the successes of its predecessors, offering meaningful upgrades in performance, battery life, and camera capabilities. With its Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, the phone delivers top-tier performance suitable for gaming, multitasking, and heavy usage. The new 5850 mAh silicon-carbon battery, coupled with 100W wired and 80W wireless charging, ensures exceptional battery life and rapid recharging, making it a standout feature for power users.

Overall, the Honor Magic7 Pro continues to deliver excellent value for money, combining flagship performance and features at a competitive price point. It stands out as a strong contender against more established brands and is likely to appeal to users who prioritise battery life, charging speed, and a feature-rich camera.

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Pros

  • Excellent Performance: Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset provides outstanding speed and efficiency.
  • Impressive Battery Life: Large 5850 mAh battery with fast wired (100W) and wireless (80W) charging.
  • Versatile Camera System: 200MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and upgraded low-light performance.
  • Premium Design: Glass construction, IP68/IP69 water and dust resistance, and Rhino Glass durability.
  • Advanced Biometrics: 3D face unlock and under-display fingerprint sensor for secure authentication.

Cons

  • Curved Display: May lead to usability issues and difficulty finding compatible screen protectors.
  • Heavy Software Skin: MagicOS 9 may feel cluttered for users who prefer stock Android experiences.
  • Aggressive Image Processing: Photos can appear overly enhanced, which may not appeal to photography purists.

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