Honor Magic 5 Pro: Well-rounded powerhouse

In this review, we dissect the Honor Magic 5 Pro, a phone that signifies Honor’s independent evolution after parting ways with Huawei. Known for robust hardware, the Magic 5 Pro introduces notable improvements in software. Its hardware prowess includes a triple 50MP camera setup, Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, and a stunning LTPO 120Hz display. The software has notably seen enhancements, showcasing better stability than its predecessor, despite minor performance glitches. This device marks Honor’s transition into crafting high-end flagships, diverging from its budget-oriented past. We delve into the device capabilities and where it stands with industry giants.

Design and display

The Magic 5 Pro impresses with its elegantly curved IP68-rated body, available in Black and Meadow Green variations. The review unit we got is of the black variation.

The black hue aligns with the design’s black hole inspiration but we’ve got to say that there was noticeable fingerprint accumulation on the glossy black surface after regular use.

Featuring a 6.81-inch AMOLED display, the device offers an adaptive refresh rate ranging from 1Hz to 120Hz, accompanied by a maximum brightness of 1,800 nits. While these specifications are standard for flagship displays, the Honor Magic 5 Pro innovates with its “quad-curved display,” providing a rounded screen on all sides for both comfort and aesthetic appeal.

Individuals favoring flat displays might not find this feature accommodating.

Honor prioritizes eye comfort, incorporating high PWM dimming to reduce imperceptible flickering and automatic color and brightness adjustments that align with the time of day. Media consumption was enjoyable too.

Collaborating with researchers from University College London lends credibility to these efforts. For those sensitive to blue light’s effects on sleep, these features could be valuable.

Hardware and accessories

In terms of hardware, we’re presented with the highly advanced Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, coupled with a substantial 12GB RAM and a spacious 512GB storage, employing the latest LPDDR5X and UFS 4.0 technologies, respectively. The battery capacity is a generous 5,100mAh, ensuring ample power, and it supports 66W wired charging and 50W wireless charging. However, it’s worth noting the departure from the previously advertised 100W wired and wireless charging found in the Magic 4 Pro.

On the connectivity front, the device offers Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi 7, and 5G support, accommodating dual physical SIMs and eSIM. In line with its forerunner, the Magic 5 Pro facilitates biometric face unlocking for both the lock screen and applications, complemented by a fingerprint scanner. Despite a shift to an optical fingerprint sensor from the previous ultrasonic one, the optical sensor functions efficiently, especially when face unlock isn’t the preferred method.

The stereo speakers deliver commendable volume levels and clear audio. Typically, the bottom-firing speaker exhibits more robust sound compared to the top one, which also serves as the earpiece. However, this discrepancy is often inconspicuous, particularly when holding the phone in landscape mode and not obstructing the bottom speaker grill.

In the box, you’ll find a 66W wired charging adapter with a USB-A to C cable, a SIM ejector tool, the standard warranty card and related information, along with a simple transparent plastic case. Furthermore, a plastic screen protector comes pre-installed on the phone for added protection.

Software and performance

Honor commits to providing three Android version upgrades and five years of security patches, a promise on par with Google Pixel phones but slightly behind Samsung Galaxy S23. This commitment signifies Honor’s newfound dedication to long-term support for their devices.

This commitment is evident in the MagicOS 7.0. The system operates seamlessly with minimal major issues. The company has introduced some distinctive software features to set itself apart. The “Honor Connect” feature enables cursor movement across various devices seamlessly, including Honor tablets, phones, and Windows computers with the requisite Honor software.

The biometric face unlock mechanism integrates features reminiscent of Pixel 4, such as “Air Gestures” for scrolling through content or taking screenshots via hand gestures in front of the screen. While this might be handy for touchless interaction, it takes some time to get accustomed to. Additionally, the device supports useful ambient features like a camera-supported “Smart View” that keeps the screen active as long as you’re looking at it, a feature appreciated even though it’s not entirely new and available on many phones.

Overall, the phone delivers swift responsiveness, staying cool in various situations except during charging and gaming, largely attributed to the efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor it houses.

Cameras

The Honor Magic 5 Pro impresses with its symmetrical triple camera arrangement on the rear, each boasting a 50MP resolution. The camera bump though, not so much.

The primary wide camera stands out with both optical and electronic image stabilization at f/1.6, while the ultra-wide variant, offering a 122-degree field of view, utilizes EIS. The periscope telephoto camera elevates the optical zoom to 3.5x with OIS and EIS, operating at f/3.0.

This configuration delivers exceptionally clear and vibrant shots, often featuring vivid colors, especially in grass and skies. The camera performs admirably in challenging low-light settings, effectively capturing bright and noise-free shots without relying on Night mode.

The 50MP ultrawide lens is equally impressive, maintaining a consistent color tone and capturing ample detail. The synergy across the three sensors ensures a harmonious and balanced output, enhancing their practical usability in daily photography. The periscope camera, reduced to a rounded 50MP from the previous 64MP, also benefits from OIS, providing steadiness in varying light conditions. The camera’s hybrid zoom allows up to 100x shots, though the UI suggests sticking to the more practical 10x range.

The camera app proves reliable, providing a seamless and enjoyable photography venture. The shutter response is nearly instantaneous. The versatility of the camera setup stands as a significant advantage, ensuring consistent high-resolution imagery across all lenses.

Overall, the Honor Magic 5 Pro’s camera capabilities, bolstered by advanced technology and a promising software base, present a decent photography experience.

Here are some shots taken on the Honor Magic 5 Pro:

Night shots on the Honor Magic 5 Pro:

More shots:

Battery and charging

The Honor Magic 5 Pro stands out impressively in the battery life department, showcasing remarkable endurance that’s hard to exhaust in a single day, even with intensive usage.

However, in terms of charging, the Magic 5 Pro exhibits a minor step backward compared to its predecessor, which boasted 100W wired and wireless charging. The Magic 5 Pro now offers up to 66W wired and 50W wireless charging, albeit a slight regression. Despite this, the 66W wired charging capability ensures a swift full charge, taking only about 45 minutes from zero to 100%, surpassing the charging speeds of major competitors like Google and Samsung. On the wireless charging front, the Magic 5 Pro’s 50W capacity remains impressively fast and also supports 5W reverse wireless charging.

Pricing and availability

The Honor Magic 5 Pro is available at S$1249 on Shopee and Lazada.

Verdict

The Honor Magic 5 Pro emerges as a powerhouse, showcasing a compelling blend of exceptional hardware and notable software improvements. The device impresses with its triple-camera system, delivering sharp, vibrant shots across various lighting conditions. Notably, the 50MP primary sensor with a wider aperture and OIS stands out, offering vivid imagery. The battery life is commendable, lasting through a day of intensive usage, owing to the substantial 5,100mAh capacity.

However, the slight regression in charging capabilities compared to its predecessor is a drawback, albeit the 66W wired and 50W wireless charging still ensure swift refueling. The software experience has notably improved, with the MagicOS 7.0 exhibiting smoother performance and useful features like Honor Connect and Motion Sensing Capture.

Overall, the Honor Magic 5 Pro impresses as a well-rounded device, excelling in camera capabilities and enduring battery life.