Honor Magic 5 Pro Review

Design & Build: Elegance Meets Durability

> A Sleek and Elegant Masterpiece
The Honor Magic 5 Pro boasts a large yet surprisingly slender form factor, which fits comfortably into modern flagship phone design trends. The device features a beautiful combination of curved glass and metal with an eye-catching circular camera module on the back. This Honor smartphone‘s 6.81-inch screen accounts for its large size, weighing in at 219g. However, at only 8.8mm thick, it is more slender than other large smartphones, making it easier to hold and handle.
> Water-Resistance and Camera Design
The IP68 water-resistance rating ensures that the Magic 5 Pro can withstand dust and water, providing peace of mind for everyday use. The front camera setup includes a depth sensor alongside the selfie camera, resulting in an iPhone-esque pill-shaped cut-out. The rear camera features a striking circular design, housing three lenses that seamlessly blend with the main body. However, one notable downside is the lack of Gorilla Glass or other toughened alternatives to protect the phone from damage. Thankfully, the pre-applied screen protector helps safeguard the display.

Stunning Display for Maximum Eye Comfort

One of the key strengths of the Magic 5 Pro is its 6.81-inch quad-curved 1-120Hz OLED display. Utilizing the latest LTPO technology, the screen adjusts its refresh rate dynamically, ensuring smooth visuals and optimized battery life. The display of this Honor device also boasts a high resolution of 1312×2848, a dedicated display chipset for color accuracy, and HDR10+ support. Honor has placed significant emphasis on eye comfort, incorporating dynamic dimming tech, a circadian-friendly certification, and reduced screen flicker to promote healthy vision and sleep cycles.

Stereo Speakers: Good, but Not Exceptional

The stereo speaker setup on the Magic 5 Pro is adequate for casual use, such as watching YouTube or Netflix videos. However, the audio quality is somewhat tinny compared to other flagship phones. It’s functional, but it won’t blow you away.

Specs & Features: Powerhouse Performance and Abundant Storage

> High-End Chipset and Generous RAM
Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, the Magic 5 Pro offers top-notch performance for Android devices. The phone comes with a generous 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, ensuring smooth multitasking and ample space for apps, games, and media files.

However, some users have reported stuttering and freezing issues with specific apps, which may be a software-related concern.

> Connectivity and Biometrics
The Honor Magic 5 Pro supports 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, and NFC, providing a wide range of connectivity options. For security, the device offers face unlock using the selfie camera and a reliable fingerprint scanner built into the display.

Cameras:

> Rear Camera: Versatile and High-Quality Photography
The Magic 5 Pro features a triple 50MP rear camera setup, consisting of a main camera with a large 1/1.12-inch sensor, a fast f/1.6 aperture, and optical image stabilization (OIS). This combination allows for impressive low-light performance, capturing detail and natural colours. The main lens is complemented by a 50MP ultrawide sensor with an f/2.0 aperture and a 3.5x zoom periscope lens with an f/3.0 aperture and OIS. The camera setup offers versatility and outstanding image quality across various shooting situations.
> Front Camera: Depth Sensing for Enhanced Selfies
The front-facing camera on the Honor Magic 5 Pro includes a time-of-flight depth sensor, providing better portrait mode effects and more detailed selfies. The 12MP shooter performs admirably in various lighting conditions, ensuring you always look your best.
> Video Recording Capabilities
The Magic 5 Pro supports video recording at up to 4K and 30fps with the front camera, while the rear camera can record up to 4K at 60fps. However, the ultrawide lens is limited to 4K at 30fps. While there is no 8K option available, most users will find the existing video capabilities more than sufficient.

Battery: Long-lasting Power and Convenient Charging Options

> Impressive Battery Life for All-day Use
The Magic 5 Pro comes equipped with a 5100mAh battery, which is one of the largest capacities available in smartphones today. This translates to an impressive 1-2 day battery life, depending on your usage pattern. Even demanding users will find the Magic 5 Pro capable of lasting a full day without needing a recharge.
> Fast Wired and Wireless Charging Options
When it comes to charging, the Magic 5 Pro offers 66W wired charging, which, while not record- breaking, is still fast enough for most users. In our tests, this charging speed restored 75% of the battery in just half an hour and fully charged the device in less than an hour. This eliminates the need for overnight charging, providing a hassle-free experience.

For those who prefer wireless charging, the Magic 5 Pro supports up to 50W wireless charging speeds with Honor’s official charger, which is sold separately. However, if you’re looking for a more affordable option, the phone is also compatible with most Qi-certified wireless chargers, albeit at lower charging speeds.

Verdict: A Strong Contender in the Flagship Smartphone Market

The Honor Magic 5 Pro is an excellent offering from the company, building on the success of last year’s Magic 4 Pro. With its outstanding display and battery life, the Magic 5 Pro can compete with the best flagship smartphones in the market. The camera performance is also commendable, further solidifying its place among top-tier devices.
However, there are a few areas where the Magic 5 Pro falls short compared to other 2023 flagships. Its performance is slightly underwhelming compared to its competitors, and its unique design may not appeal to everyone. Additionally, the MagicOS software, while functional, lacks the polish offered by some rival companies.
Despite these minor drawbacks, the Honor Magic 5 Pro is a solid choice for those seeking a feature- packed flagship smartphone with excellent battery life, a stunning display, and a versatile camera setup.