HONOR has unveiled its Magic 6 Pro and the Magic V2 RSR Edition smartphones at MWC 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. Despite having limited availability outside China, HONOR’s devices have a reputation for sporting cutting-edge technology over the competition in some way or another. This legacy is carried forward with the Magic 6 Pro, which features on-device AI capabilities with an added premium touch in its design.
HONOR’s AI Magic
Smartphone hardware has evolved to an extent where it has become difficult to differentiate devices based on specifications alone. In such times, software becomes a critical factor in making a phone stand out, and the Magic 6 Pro does so in grand style. The device runs on MagicOS 8.0, based on Android 14, and comes loaded with AI in every corner.
The first thing one can notice is the Magic Capsule, which utilizes the camera cutout for widgets and real-time information from active apps. Undeniably, it is a page out of Apple’s book of Dynamic Island. But credit to HONOR, the implementation feels very fluid.
HONOR also announced an AI eye-tracking feature, letting users navigate the notifications without touching the screen. However, this feature will be rolled out with future updates, and we could not test it in person at the MWC booth.
The Magic 6 Pro also comes with the Magic Portal feature, which can scan for any image or text on the screen. The information can be carried to a different app, such as Notes or any other social media platform, with a simple drag-and-drop gesture. The feature worked flawlessly with text and photos in our short span with the device.
Powering this setup is the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset. The device comes with 12GB of RAM and an option to expand it by up to 8GB using virtual RAM.
HONOR Magic 6 Pro First Impressions
When you pick up the HONOR Magic 6 Pro, it stands out thanks to its premium quality. The leather finish at the back feels pleasing to the touch, and the phone does not feel too heavy to hold on. However, the camera bump protrudes significantly, which can sometimes bother certain users, especially if one prefers to hold the device from the centre.
The rear camera module is undoubtedly a head-turner with its massive size, and it almost screams for attention. The subtle pastel colour scheme balances this out, making the device look pleasing to the eyes. One thing’s for sure: when you use the Magic 6 Pro in public, people will ask about the phone you are holding.
Although the camera module looks like metal, it is covered by a single piece of glass, adding a glossy finish. It looks and feels premium, but unfortunately, it also attracts fingerprints. So, you might have to habitually clean the camera module before clicking photos.
Initial impressions of the camera are very promising. The primary 50MP camera has a variable aperture that can adjust between f/1.4 and f/2.0, giving you complete control over the bokeh effect. Then we have the 180MP telephoto lens with 2.5x optical and 100x digital zoom, paired with a 50MP ultrawide lens.
The HONOR Magic 6 Pro also impressed us with its dynamic range in our limited usage. The difference can be observed when there’s a sharp light source in the background, which the device handles with ease. The zoom transition also feels smooth. Unfortunately, we were not able to test the cameras outdoors.
Apart from the AI prowess, the HONOR Magic 6 Pro is also the first device outside of China to feature a silicon-carbon battery compared to the traditional lithium-ion batteries on most smartphones. This new technology can retain charge more efficiently, and the size of the battery is comparatively smaller. It cuts no corners in charging speed, supporting 80W wired fast charging and 66W wireless charging.
The HONOR Magic 6 Pro is a solid device inside-out. It’s that kind of smartphone with surprises in every corner. Sure, the chances of the phone coming to India are slim, but we wish it would launch here.
HONOR Magic V2 RSR Edition
HONOR also unveiled a Porsche edition of its Magic V2 foldable smartphone, released in global markets a few weeks back. Specifications-wise, not much has changed as it retains the same slim form factor and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset.
The difference can be observed near the rear camera module, with an edge-line running throughout. It also gets a text embossing that says ‘Porsche Design’. The idea is to resemble the iconic Porsche RSR sports car.
The Magic V2 RSR also features a NanoCrystal Shield, making the screen resistant to scratches. This is often a complaint on foldable devices that get scratched easily due to the plastic screen. The new coating does not feel any different, and the overall results can only be seen once the device is on the market.
The Magic V2 also remains the slimmest foldable smartphone. We have tested several fold and flip devices from Samsung, Moto, and Tecno. But after using the Magic V2, every other foldable will feel chunky. HONOR will also launch a Porsche Edition of the Magic 6 Pro, but an exact launch date has not been disclosed.
After using the HONOR Magic 6 Pro and the Magic V2 RSR, there’s no doubt that the Indian market is missing out on two fabulous devices. There are many excellent top-end options from Samsung, Vivo, OnePlus, and others, but the nitty-gritty of HONOR flagships makes them stand out. If HONOR decides to bring its flagships to India, its phones will be welcomed by plenty of enthusiasts in the country.
