With each new release of an Android phone, the tech behind each device gets improved upon and it’s no different for HONOR’s most recent release — the HONOR Magic7 Pro.
At first glance, the Magic7 Pro has a flatter display and frame than its predecessor, which makes it more comfortable to hold and use even in a crowded area. The 6.8-inch screen offers bright, smooth and sharp visuals and the viewing experience is elevated thanks to the device’s Dolby Vision and HDR Vivid support.
Above: The HONOR Magic7 Pro. Photos by Adele Chan.
HONOR has also included nifty AI-enabled eye-comfort features to make viewing a lot more comfortable which was something I appreciated, especially when I’m on my phone most of the time.
Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, the Magic7 Pro is able to deliver PC-level graphics and full-frame gameplay for an unparalleled and responsive gaming experience. While I may not be an intensive game player, I could still tell the difference when playing Candy Crush.
The graphics were not only sharper and less straining for my eyes, but each level progressed relatively smoothly and the device doesn’t even heat up like other devices would after playing consecutively for more than an hour.
The AI Upgrades
Since introducing their AI features last year, the HONOR Magic7 Pro has improved its features, offering more options for an overall slicker performance.
One of these useful AI features I encountered was the Magic Portal which cuts down the hassle of having to copy and paste information and toggle between two different apps. Instead of that, I am able to highlight and drag content, like text, image or a screenshot, over to the right and drop it into another app.
This was particularly handy for me because I often use google maps to help me get around and just copying the address and quickly getting the location pin on google maps saves me a lot of time going back and forth.
I particularly liked the AI Translate app which lets you carry out a two-way conversation in 14 languages. I did a test run with this app while conversing with my friend who speaks Cantonese, and found that though the app was able to accurately translate our conversation, it struggled with certain slangs she might use; which resulted in an inaccurate translation.
However, this was not a deal breaker since the translation would get better with time.
Another productive AI feature I used was the AI minutes within the Notes App which offered AI transcription and summarisation — ideal for meetings or in my case, interviews. I tested this feature out side by side with a podcast that had a transcription and I was impressed by AI minutes’ accuracy.
This, of course, could be the result of the audio being clear and loud, which could affect its accuracy in a more noisy environment.
In addition to being able to transcribe live, AI minutes is also able to create a summary, from the transcript available, highlighting the theme, offering a bullet-pointed agenda, and pulling out salient points and quotes.
With security being a main focal point for most smartphone users, Honor has also addressed this concern with its world’s first AI Deepfake Detection feature that works with certain videoconferencing apps to help you identify if the caller on the other end is using deepfake technology.
Excellent Camera Capabilities
For me, a standout for any smartphone always lies in the camera system that it is built with and HONOR Magic7 Pro is a strong contender featuring its triple lens camera which holds a 50MP Super Dynamic HONOR Falcon Main Camera, a 200MP periscope telephoto lens for taking photos of distant subjects and stunning nightscapes, and a 50MP ultra wide lens.
The 50MP Main Camera is able to capture details and brightness in various lighting condition with its 1/1.3-inch Super Dynamic HONOR Falcon Camera sensor and f/1.4 adjustable aperture lens, while the 200MP Telephoto lens features an advanced 1/1.4-inch telephoto sensor with a large f/2.6 aperture for outstanding clarity and exceptional light intake, even in the most challenging lighting conditions such as a low-light environment.
The camera system is also supported with handy features such as the AI Cutout, AI Eraser and also includes photography modes that allows for me to set up shots differently. This includes its portrait mode that lets me control the bokeh effect for my photos.
Additionally, the Harcourt Portrait Modes also offer creative options to take photos in three types of lighting namely vibrant, colour and classic (black and white), while the AI Enhanced Portrait helps to deliver ultra-high definition portraits make the colours pop.
Designed as the new camera feature of the Magic7 Pro, the AI Super Zoom that helps to frame sceneries with a focal length range of 30x to 100x, and is a particularly handy feature to have especially for travel or concerts.
Capturing moments in motion is also not an issue with the HONOR Magic7 Pro as its AI Motion Sensing Capture allows for precious moments to be captured in exceptional clarity without any worry of blurriness.
Pricing and availability
The HONOR Magic7 Pro is available in 12GB + 512GB at $1,399 and 16GB + 1TB (First 1TB Storage in HONOR Singapore) at $1,699.
Both models are available for purchase at Singapore’s First HONOR Experience Store at Causeway Point, major electronic retailers, and online through Shopee and Lazada.
