It almost felt unreal when I was offered the chance to review the HONOR Magic7 Pro about a month ago. Having used the HONOR Magic6 Pro extensively – a phone you can now find for less than PhP33,000 – I was keen to see the upgrades, especially in the camera and software departments, which HONOR promised quite a bit on.
Build and Design
HONOR hasn’t strayed too far from the Magic6 Pro’s design language with the Magic7 Pro. It sticks to the iconic family look but refines it with a more modern aesthetic and precision diamond-cut craftsmanship. One notable upgrade is the overall structure and the new “Cosmos-inspired” design theme. You get color options like Misty Grey (Lunar Shadow Grey), Sky Blue, and Midnight Black. If you’re planning to pick one up if it launches locally, I’d personally suggest the Lunar Shadow Grey; it just gives off a really sophisticated and stylish vibe.
Interestingly, the Magic7 Pro is slightly bigger than its predecessor but manages to be slimmer and even lighter. The phone measures 162.7 x 77.1 x 8.8mm and weighs 223g. Some users have noted that it feels more comfortable to hold than the Magic6 Pro, not just because of the weight difference, but it also feels less slippery. I feel the same way, albeit not too evident based on my experience.
A welcome addition is the improved durability. The phone boasts an SGS 5-Star Drop Resistance Certification for its screen. Plus, it now carries both IP68 and IP69 ratings for water and dust resistance, similar to some of HONOR’s recent mid-range phones, meaning it can handle tougher conditions, similar to their more affordable models.
Display
The display on the Magic7 Pro is a large 6.82-inch OLED panel with a resolution of 1280 x 2800 pixels. It features an Equal-Depth Micro-quad-Curved design with almost symmetrical bezels. The visuals look great thanks to HDR support and a high adaptive dynamic refresh rate up to 144Hz.
Brightness is a strong point, hitting a peak of 6000 nits for HDR content and maintaining good all-screen brightness for outdoor readability. However, some tests noted that while consistent across different content types, overall readability under direct sunlight could be better compared to competitors.
HONOR has put a lot of focus on eye comfort. The display uses AI-powered adjustments to simulate natural light variations, reduce blue light, and minimize eye strain. Features like high-frequency PWM Flicker-Free Dimming (measured around 4330 Hz) help protect eyes in low light and reduce fatigue. HONOR claims these features improve lutein utilization and even melatonin levels for better sleep, though they clarify the device isn’t medical equipment. However, minimum brightness might still be a bit high for very dark environments, lacking an extra-dim mode.
Color accuracy is generally good and stable outdoors, though some color shifts can be noticeable when viewing the screen at an angle. I am not sure if it has something to do with the display coating. The HDR video watching experience is satisfying, especially in low light, with good brightness and contrast.
Hardware
Under the hood, the Magic7 Pro packs the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform. Similar to most flagship devices we’ve reviewed, this is a cutting-edge second-gen 3nm SoC designed for exceptional performance and AI capabilities. It’s paired with generous memory and storage – typically 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 512GB of UFS 4.0 storage for the global market –like the one we’re using.
HONOR promises an advanced Ultra Wide Area Cooling System, and I definitely felt its effects. During a recent trip where I used the Magic7 Pro heavily for content creation and watching videos, the phone stayed surprisingly cool, even during intense tasks. This cooling system ensures peak performance is maintained, even during long gaming sessions. Testing confirmed this, with the phone handling games like Genshin Impact and Diablo Immortal at max settings while remaining cooler than some dedicated gaming phones.
For security and convenience, the phone features a 3D ultrasonic fingerprint sensor positioned for easy access, which works reliably even with wet hands. It also includes fast and reliable 3D Facial Unlock.
Benchmark
While the Snapdragon 8 Elite is Qualcomm’s top-tier chip, my overall experience was that the performance boost felt somewhat slight compared to the Magic6 Pro. This was a bit surprising, given the new processor’s potential. However, daily use is seamless across multimedia, productivity, and gaming.
Where the performance really shines, especially for gamers, is through some clever software optimization. HONOR has implemented an AI Predictive Scheduling Engine. While the technical details are complex, it essentially helps achieve better image quality and higher frame rates in games without overloading the GPU, leading to less battery drain and lower temperatures. This seemed to work exactly as advertised in real-world gaming tests.
Software and Other Software Features
The Magic7 Pro runs MagicOS 9, which is based on Android 15. HONOR has heavily integrated AI features throughout the operating system, leveraging the Snapdragon 8 Elite’s capabilities.
HONOR made sure to improve all the AI functions. Thanks to the advancements in the Snapdragon 8 Elite, the Magic7 Pro handles AI tasks faster and more efficiently. Here are some key features:
- Magic Portal: Activated with a circular gesture, this provides quick access to information and apps based on context, enhancing convenience.
- AI Deepfake Detection: Identifies potential AI face-swapping risks on the device with a single click.
- AI Translation: Offers precise dialogue translation for both face-to-face conversations and simultaneous interpretation. This proved incredibly useful during my recent trip.
- AI Edit: This suite includes several impressive tools that work quickly:
- AI Eraser: My personal favorite. Instantly remove unwanted objects from photos with a simple circle gesture.
- AI Outpainting: Magically extends the boundaries of your photos to improve composition.
- AI Subject Extraction: Easily cut out subjects from photos to save or share.
- AI Image Enhancement: Automatically improves image quality and resolution with one click.
- AI Notes: Provides real-time voice-to-text transcription that recognizes different speakers and generates formatted meeting summaries.
- AI Privacy Call: Automatically minimizes sound leakage during calls in quiet environments like meeting rooms
- AI Dual-way Noise Reduction: Effectively cancels background noise for clearer calls for both parties.
- Google Gemini Integration: The phone incorporates Google’s AI assistant, Gemini. You can chat with Gemini, get context-aware help based on your screen content, use Gemini Live for brainstorming or rehearsals, and access it quickly by pressing and holding the power button.
The user interface has seen significant improvements compared to older versions, feeling smoother and more intuitive. The AI seems to learn user habits over time to further enhance the experience.
Camera
Camera performance is undoubtedly one of the standout features of the Magic7 Pro. HONOR has focused on upgrading the camera system, particularly the telephoto lens, while maintaining high overall photo quality.
Camera Specs:
- Main Camera: 50MP “Super Dynamic Falcon Main Camera” with an ultra-large 1/1.3-inch sensor and a variable aperture (f/1.4-f/2.0) for adapting to different lighting conditions. It includes Optical Image Stabilization (OIS).
- Telephoto Camera: A massive 200MP periscope telephoto lens with a 1/1.4-inch sensor, f/2.6 aperture, and OIS. It offers 3x optical zoom and up to 100x digital zoom. Some users note the true optical zoom might be closer to 2.5x (60mm equivalent focal length in Hi-Res mode), cropping to achieve 3x (72mm equivalent) in standard modes.
- Ultra-Wide Camera: 50MP sensor with a 122° field of view, f/2.0 aperture, and autofocus, capable of 2.5cm HD macro shots.
- Front Camera: 50MP sensor with an f/2.0 aperture, 90° wide-angle view, AI anti-distortion, autofocus, and 4K video capability. It’s paired with a 3D Depth Camera for secure facial unlock.
Performance and Features:
Photos generally look outstanding – sharp, with good color reproduction. Having both OIS and EIS on the main and periscope cameras (similar to its predecessor) makes it a fantastic tool for smartphone photography. The main camera delivers excellent results, especially with still subjects and in low light. It captures good dynamic range and vibrant colors, and detail looks natural without excessive sharpening, except sometimes in Night mode.
The periscope camera is genuinely one of its best features! If you frequently zoom in on distant subjects, you’ll find this incredibly useful. It allows you to zoom smoothly from 3x up to 100x, keeping details sharp even at significant distances. The new “Stage Mode” utilizes the 200MP telephoto to capture clear details of performers on stage, even in tricky lighting.
HONOR includes features like AI-optimized motion capture to freeze dynamic moments, high-speed burst shots, and an AI Enhanced Portrait mode. While the Harcourt filters in portrait mode produce nice results, the standard AI enhancement can sometimes over-smooth subjects, so turning it off might yield better portraits. The front camera also takes great selfies, even in low light, thanks to pixel binning and autofocus, a significant improvement over many phones. Users also praise the cinematic video mode for reducing editing times.
However, the camera system isn’t perfect. Some reviewers noted inconsistencies in image processing. White balance can occasionally shift between shots, sometimes making photos too warm or too cool, requiring post-editing. The default exposure can sometimes be a bit high, benefiting from manual adjustments using the exposure slider. There were also reports of getting more blurry images than expected, potentially fixable with firmware updates. While the main and ultra-wide cameras perform well in low light, maintaining good exposure and color, the telephoto can sometimes produce softer results than expected, especially at higher zoom levels like 6x. There can also be color inconsistencies when switching between the main and telephoto lenses, and images from the telephoto can sometimes look overly smoothed. The AI Super Zoom feature might also need further refinement. The shiny chrome finish around the camera module can cause reflections when shooting through glass.
Audio
The audio experience on the Magic7 Pro is quite impressive. It features an integrated audio system with large-amplitude dual speakers that HONOR claims offer 10 times the volume of traditional speaker chambers, delivering powerful bass. HONOR’s spatial audio algorithms create an immersive surround sound experience. The phone has earned the SGS 5-star audio performance and spatial audio certification. Users confirm the audio quality is exceptional, possibly the best they’ve heard on a phone.
Battery
Battery life is outstanding. In my tests, it clocked an impressive 17 hours and 12 minutes. The phone packs a large Carbon Silicon battery – listed as 5850 mAh in some regions and 5270 mAh in others. This slight bump in capacity from predecessors, combined with the proprietary HONOR E2 power enhanced chip for intelligent battery management, contributes to ultra-long endurance, even with heavy use. It easily lasts two days on a full charge for many users.
When it’s time to recharge, the Magic7 Pro supports very fast charging: up to 100W wired HONOR SuperCharge and 80W wireless HONOR SuperCharge with compatible chargers.
Verdict
The HONOR Magic7 Pro is a strong contender in the flagship smartphone market, building upon the success of its predecessor with key upgrades in crucial areas. Its design is refined and comfortable, with added durability thanks to IP68/69 ratings. The large OLED display is bright and packed with eye-care features, although outdoor readability could be slightly better.
Performance is snappy thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip and ample RAM, and the cooling system is genuinely effective, especially for gamers. The suite of AI features, from Magic Portal to AI Edit and Gemini integration, adds real convenience and utility to daily tasks. Battery life is simply exceptional, easily lasting through heavy use and recharging incredibly quickly. Audio quality is another high point.
The camera system is versatile and powerful on paper, especially with the impressive 200MP periscope telephoto lens and capable 50MP main and ultra-wide sensors. It can capture stunning photos with great detail and color in many situations, and the selfie camera is excellent. However, the camera experience isn’t flawless. There are inconsistencies in image processing, occasional softness or color shifts (particularly with the telephoto), and some AI features might need more polish. While capable, it sometimes falls slightly short of the absolute consistency found in some top-tier competitors.
As of this writing, HONOR Philippines hasn’t announced the official price. If they follow past trends, we might expect the HONOR Magic7 Pro to land somewhere between PhP54,999 and PhP59,999.
Overall, the HONOR Magic7 Pro gets a lot right. It offers a compelling package with standout battery life, a great display, strong performance, useful AI smarts, and a highly capable (if occasionally quirky) camera system. It’s a fantastic phone, especially for those who prioritize endurance and camera versatility, but potential buyers should be aware of the minor inconsistencies in telephoto performance and image processing.
Giancarlo Viterbo is a Filipino Technology Journalist, blogger and Editor of gadgetpilipinas.net, He is also a Geek, Dad and a Husband. He knows a lot about washing the dishes, doing some errands and following instructions from his boss on his day job. Follow him on twitter: @gianviterbo and @gadgetpilipinas.
