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It’s been a yr and a part since Huawei offered Honor, launching the previous subsidiary as an impartial organisation. Although Honor has accomplished masses in that point, it’s taken till now for it to globally release what it considers to be a real flagship phone: the Magic 4 Pro.
First unveiled on the Mobile World Congress commerce display in Barcelona this February, the Magic 4 Pro is a top class piece of {hardware} this is supposed to carry its personal towards the most costly (non-folding) telephones from Samsung, Google, and Xiaomi.
For essentially the most section, it does. Truly robust cameras, a super show, and very good charging speeds make this probably the most spectacular flagships round, all at a worth that simply undercuts a couple of key competition.
A loss of polish shines via even though – inconsistent effects with third-party chargers, fiddly instrument, the clunky design – and whilst those shall be minor flaws to maximum, they really feel extra like dealbreakers on a phone that prices as regards to a grand.
Design and construct
- Big and heavy
- Enormous, unpleasant digicam module
- IP68 score
I’ll be fair: I don’t love the best way the Magic 4 Pro seems.
Like many high-end Android telephones, this factor is large. With a 6.81in show this is identical in scale to the Pixel 6 Pro or Galaxy S22 Ultra, and at 9.2mm it’s in fact somewhat thicker than both of the ones, even though weighs round the similar: 215g.
This isn’t the phone for you in the event you want smaller handsets, or even supposing you incessantly use your phone one-handed – the size of it calls for each fingers for anything else greater than briefly checking an e-mail or replying to a textual content.
My larger factor is just with the obnoxiously massive digicam at the phone’s again. The round design here’s what Honor calls the ‘Eye of Muse’, and I will’t say I’m a fan. How to make a huge multi-camera module glance just right is a problem tripping up the most efficient within the business presently (even Apple and Google can’t crack it) however Honor’s resolution is a selected eyesore – to my tastes a minimum of.
When the phone used to be first unveiled, it used to be in a spread of colors: cyan, gold, black, and white fashions with a tumbler rear, and an additional orange model completed in pretend leather-based. As it stands, simplest the cyan (pictured) and black variants are not off course for a world release so far as we all know.
In any case, the color almost definitely gained’t subject that a lot: this shiny glass is this kind of constant fingerprint magnet that you simply’ll almost definitely wish to throw the phone right into a case once conceivable (get started with the unfastened clear plastic possibility incorporated within the field).
You might also wish to use a case as a result of in contrast to maximum opponents, Honor doesn’t make any declare to have used Gorilla Glass to give protection to the phone’s show or rear from cracks and scratches, so it can be a bit of extra liable to drops than maximum. There is alternatively an IP68 score, ensuring top-tier coverage from mud and water.
Display and audio
- ‘Quad-curved’ 6.81in OLED show
- LTPO with 1-120Hz variable refresh charge
- Pill-shaped twin selfie digicam cut-out
- Stereo audio system
I’ve already mentioned that the Magic 4 Pro’s show is large – in reality it’s one of the crucial greatest shows available on the market presently, and that’s pronouncing one thing.
There’s a lot more to it than that even though. It’s no longer simplest curved on the facets, however ‘quad-curved’ – which means the highest and backside edges are rounded too. The impact is extra delicate right here even though – such a lot so you can no longer realize it in any respect, particularly with the pre-applied display screen protector on – and is much less about wrapping the visuals around the frame and extra about smoothing the perimeters when you swipe.
The show’s different tech specifications are spectacular: a excessive (even though no longer relatively QHD) solution of 1312 x 2848, a max refresh charge of 120Hz, and LTPO tech that permits the phone to scale that responsiveness down as little as 1Hz to avoid wasting energy.
The top brightness of one,000 nits is not up to some opponents, however I’ve had no issues in any respect the usage of the phone even in direct, vivid daylight (neatly, as a lot of that as the United Kingdom can muster a minimum of). It’s additionally vivid sufficient to run the phone’s incorporated HDR10+ make stronger.
In truth, my simplest genuine criticism concerning the Magic 4 Pro’s display screen is the huge pill-shaped selfie digicam cut-out. It takes up a large number of the phone’s notification tray area and is just a little distracting. It’s particularly irritating because it’s no longer for the sake of 2 right kind selfie cameras – the second one lens is simplest used for intensity sensing and biometrics. Personally, I’d reasonably have the display screen area again.
On audio, you gained’t be stunned to listen to that there’s no headphone jack. There are stereo audio system even though, they usually aren’t unhealthy: loud, vivid, and quite punchy, however no longer the crispest or cleanest sound round. They’ll no doubt do in a pinch even though.
Specs and function
- Flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip
- Exceptional efficiency
- 5G and Wi-Fi 6
There’s no doubt not anything to bitch about in terms of the Honor Magic 4 Pro’s efficiency.
The phone is powered through the flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, paired in my evaluate unit with 8GB of RAM and 256GB garage – even though in some markets the phone is going as much as 12GB RAM and 512GB garage.
Whether it’s in benchmarks or real-life use, efficiency is superb. Outside of devoted gaming telephones with additional RAM or the brand new overclocked 8+ Gen 1 chip you necessarily gained’t to find any sooner Android telephones than this in 2022, with the efficiency margins between flagships lovely marginal.
The 8 Gen 1 additionally brings with it spectacular networking. 5G is right here in fact, in conjunction with Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, and extremely wideband.
As for biometrics, there’s a competent ultrasonic fingerprint sensor below the show, and face free up from the selfie cameras. This shall be extra safe than in maximum Android telephones because of that additional intensity sensor – the trade-off you get for the large tablet cut-out.
Cameras and video
- Powerful triple rear digicam
- Middling low gentle effects
- Decent selfie digicam, however deficient portraits
Despite the large round rear module studded with sensors, the Magic 4 Pro in point of fact simplest has a triple rear digicam: a 50Mp major digicam, a 50Mp ultrawide, and a 64Mp periscopic zoom.
Honor opted to make use of excessive solution sensors for all 3 lenses, and for essentially the most section effects fit that promise.
The major digicam is, as you’d be expecting, the most efficient. Details are very good, and because of the quite massive 1/1.56in sensor and f/1.8 aperture gentle seize impresses too. Dynamic vary is excellent, and colors are colourful however stay true to existence.
The ultrawide drops ever so somewhat. With its personal 50Mp sensor the main points are nonetheless sturdy, however the smaller sensor and tighter aperture imply that dynamic vary suffers. In truth, I’ve spotted an inclination for this digicam to over-expose scenes and pump up the brightness, possibly a results of Honor’s instrument over-compensating for the sensor’s dimmer direct seize.
Then there’s the periscope. This is an peculiar setup: excessive solution, however at a three.5x zoom distance – shorter than the 5x or even 10x lenses present in some opponents, together with even the common Honor Magic 4, which makes use of a 5x periscope.
Honor is largely banking on compensating for the shorter zoom with upper element, the usage of virtual zoom to complement the optical. Within the app, the default zoom settings are the lens’ personal 3.5x distance after which an extra 10x, and effects as much as this stage are spectacular. Not simplest do photographs stay crisp and detailed, however the color profile is most often an in depth fit to photographs out of the principle digicam.
The digicam module itself is emblazoned with a ‘100x’ marker, and you’ll pinch to zoom in that some distance. Results listed below are applicable sufficient for proving some degree, however some distance too cushy and shaky to make it onto your Instagram – that is some distance at the back of the consequences Samsung controlled with the S22 Ultra this yr on the identical zoom distance.
Night mode is to be had on all 3 cameras, however effects don’t provoke a lot through flagship requirements. The major digicam holds up very best, nevertheless it’s transparent that Honor is the usage of competitive smoothing to scrub up low gentle photographs, and effects glance synthetic. Low gentle and night time mode efficiency then drops sharply at the different two lenses, which is able to’t produce footage value the usage of.
As discussed above, the huge selfie digicam cut-out in point of fact simplest incorporates one lens: a 12Mp, f/2.4 digicam. It’s lovely just right, with extra element than it’s possible you’ll be expecting from the megapixel rely, and an exquisite color profile – even though it struggles a bit of dealing with difficult lights. Unfortunately regardless of that additional intensity sensor, portraits are deficient – the bokeh impact bring to a halt part my hair, and in a single portrait shot the digicam totally failed to reveal the scene as it should be.
(*4*)
As for video, you’ll document at as much as [email protected] at the rear digicam and [email protected] from the entrance, with a video night time mode to be had for the principle rear lens and a film mode that provides extra complicated cinematic choices. Videos effects are mainly superb, even though there’s an occasional stutter that means some wonky stabilisation – even though it’s on no account a dealbreaker.
Battery and charging
- Good however no longer nice battery existence
- Exceptionally speedy stressed out and wi-fi charging
- Works unreliably with third-party chargers
With a 4600mAh battery, the Magic 4 Pro is an all-day phone, however no longer a lot more than that. It lasted just below 8 hours within the PCMark battery check we use – not up to maximum comparably specced opponents – and over my two weeks with the phone I’ve for sure discovered I wish to rate it day by day.
The just right information is that mentioned charging is speedy. The phone helps 100W speeds for each stressed out and wi-fi charging, making it the quickest wi-fi charging phone available on the market presently.
Wattage isn’t the whole thing in fact, and because of greater potency the stressed out effects stay sooner – I noticed the phone rate to 60% in simply quarter-hour, and the phone used to be complete ahead of the part hour mark. Using the legit 100W wi-fi charger against this, the phone used to be ‘simplest’ at 81% after part an hour.
The different distinction is that whilst Honor comprises the 100W stressed out energy brick within the field, you’ll have to shop for the legit wi-fi charger one by one to take merit – recently priced at £85/€100. To make issues worse, whilst the charger incorporated with the phone is 100W, it’ll simplest provide 80W to the wi-fi charger stand – so that you can get the max speeds from it, you’ll wish to additionally purchase Honor’s 135W charging brick – every other £70/€80. This is getting dear.
You might need them even though, if simplest as a result of I’ve discovered the phone unreliable with unofficial chargers, each stressed out and wi-fi. Even with third-party package that makes use of approved charging requirements like PPS or Qi, the Magic 4 Pro now and again refuses to rate in any respect, and at different occasions regularly begins and forestalls charging. I’ve learnt to not even check out charging the phone on anything else rather than the chargers that got here with it – a frustration in the event you stay a couple of chargers round the home, or use other package while you’re at the cross or at paintings.
Software and updates
- Android 12 and Magic UI 6
- A few pre-installed apps
- Only two years of instrument make stronger
The Magic 4 Pro ships with Android 12 and Honor’s Magic UI 6 pores and skin on height.
If you’ve used a prior Honor and even Huawei phone ahead of then the revel in shall be extensively acquainted. Beyond the aesthetics, Honor hasn’t executed an excessive amount of to modify the construction of the core Android revel in – even though it’s possible you’ll to find you need to modify among the default settings, which now and then really feel like a midway space between Android and iOS.
The phone ships with an even few pre-installed apps you won’t admire. These come with Honor’s personal, such because the Honor Club and Honor Store apps, but additionally third-party apps starting from well known choices like TikTookay and Netflix via to stranger fare like TrainPal and Trip.com. Fortunately almost about the whole thing may also be uninstalled in the event you’re keen to make the effort.
The larger downside is Honor’s dedication to supporting the phone lengthy term. So some distance the logo has simplest promised two years of Android model updates – so Android 13 and 14 – and the similar protection for safety patches.
This isn’t the worst promise round – some manufacturers nonetheless don’t decide to anything else – but if Google will provide you with 3 updates and Samsung guarantees 4 plus a 5th yr of safety patches, Honor’s promise feels paltry. Do you in point of fact wish to drop a grand on a phone that might turn out to be totally insecure in simply two years’ time?
Price and availability
The Magic 4 Pro has introduced in the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia, and in other places. The maximum notable exception is North America, the place you gained’t be capable of purchase it.
It’s no longer reasonable even though, because it’ll set you again £949/€1,099 for the default type, with 8GB of RAM and 256GB garage.
In the United Kingdom, the phone is to be had to pre-order now ahead of going formally on sale on 27 May. You can clutch it direct from Honor’s web site, or from Amazon or on contract with Three.
That worth places it up towards the likes of the iPhone 13 Pro, Samsung Galaxy S22+, and Pixel 6 Pro – to not point out the foldable Galaxy Z Flip 3. For essentially the most section the Honor phone does exceed those opponents on natural specifications, particularly in charging and digicam {hardware}, however all the ones possible choices be offering a extra polished revel in and longer make stronger.
Check out our scores of the most efficient telephones and very best Android telephones for extra flagship choices – to not point out the most efficient Honor telephones for extra from the corporate.
Verdict
The Honor Magic 4 Pro is an surely spectacular phone, and an extended late go back to flagship shape from the corporate.
It’s tough to fault the {hardware} itself, with top class efficiency, a very good show, tremendous speedy charging, and a strong digicam setup.
Still, with minor problems starting from deficient portrait footage to inconsistent charging, there’s a definite loss of polish that runs throughout the phone – possibly merely teething pains as Honor works again to the place it as soon as used to be.
Factor within the loss of lengthy term instrument make stronger and there’s just right reason why to a minimum of imagine opponents that won’t pack the similar energy, however make up for it in other places.
Specs
Honor Magic 4 Pro: Specs
- Android 12 with Magic UI 6
- 6.81in LTPO OLED show, 2848 x 1312, 120Hz
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset
- 8/12GB RAM
- 256/512GB of garage
- 50Mp, f/1.8 major digicam
- 50Mp, f/2.2 ultrawide
- 64Mp, f/3.5, 3.5x telephoto with OIS
- Rear TOF intensity sensor
- 12Mp, f/2.4 selfie digicam
- Front TOF intensity sensor
- Dual-SIM
- Stereo audio system
- NFC
- GPS
- Bluetooth 5.2
- Wi-Fi 6
- IP68
- Under-display fingerprint sensor
- 4600mAh battery
- 100W stressed out charging
- 100W wi-fi charging
- 163.6 x 74.7 x 9.1mm or 9.2mm
- 209/215g
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