Honor wants to take over the space previously occupied by Huawei. In fact, all of their latest devices launched have better performance than their former parent company, especially in terms of 5G support and also the support of Google Mobile Services which is much needed by Android users in Malaysia.
One Huawei advantage that Honor has yet to overtake is camera performance. One rung down because Huawei’s advantage lies in their collaboration with Leica. But with this collaboration just over, Honor can now stand tall through the newly launched Honor Magic4 Pro in Malaysia.
Specifications And Designs
Honor Magic4 Pro
6.81 OLED screen,
1312 x 2848 pixels, 120Hz, HDR10+
Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor (4nm)
1 X 3.0 GHz Cortex X2 chip
3 X 2.5 GHz Cortex A710
4 X 1.8 GHz Cortex A510
Adreno 730 Graphics Chip
RAM 8 GB
Internal Load 256 UFS
Main Camera 50+50+64+3D ToF Megapixel f/1.8+f/2.2+f/3.5, OIS
12 f/2.2 + 3D ToF Megapixel Camera
4600 mAh battery
100W wired charging
100W wireless charging
SIM / Phone Dual SIM nano / 5G
NFC Yes
Audio Jack Missing
Waterproof IP68
Scanning System 3D screen/ Face finger scanner
Selling Price RM3999 (8/256GB)
The design of the device reminds us of the Huawei Mate 40 Pro because it is equipped with a large OLED screen with it curved on the side. With a size of 6.81 ″ it is similar to the Galaxy S22 Ultra screen which we feel is its closest competitor in the market right now. The screen supports a dynamic 120Hz refresh rate, and HDR10+. Users can choose to change the rate back to 60Hz, 90Hz or 120Hz all the time if necessary but the resolution alone cannot be changed.
The screen is beautiful, bright, displays good colors and is responsive to touch while tested. Supported HDR modes can reach up to 1000 nits of description which is more than enough for various content on the streaming platform. There are no issues to display HDR content from popular streaming services YouTube, Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar and even Amazon Prime.
The issue is what we usually say with double-curved screens. Images or videos overflow so that sometimes the interface element you want to press is hidden to the side so that it is difficult to access. We’re not fans of curved screen designs as it is more of a problem than an interesting extra feature. Indeed the device looks like it has an ultra-thin side bezel but this is just an optical illusion.
A sturdy shiny metal frame surrounds the body of the device to ensure the Magic4 Pro won’t bend. The back panel is made of shiny glass and is therefore easily dirty. The camera hump on the back of this is also quite large. Just as big actually as the Mate 40 Pro we reviewed earlier.
Therefore even when placed on a table, the device can still be placed flat as this hump is large and also flat. Honor provides a silicone frame with every purchase and the issue of back panel dirt and these giant bumps is resolved without the buyer spending extra money.
The power button as well as the audio adjuster are located on the right side. It's sturdy and doesn't feel cheap. The nano dual-SIM tray is placed on the bottom but no micro SD card support is provided. It squeezes the USB-C charging port along with an audio lattice also at the bottom.
At the top is another audio lattice that shoots to the side and an infrared transmitter that is increasingly invisible on the current landmark device. Good result because most smart TVs now use apps to work but it’s inconvenient. Built -in remote control support does not require WiFi or bluetooth tethering so it is faster to use.
Although the size of the device is large, it is still comfortable to use with one hand. Over the past five years screen sizes of 6.5 ″ and above are no longer considered too large as they are already considered standard. Even when reusing a device like the iPhone SE 2022, this device feels difficult to use because it feels too small.
The whole body passes the IP68 standard so no worries it is damaged if you get caught in heavy rain or spilled water. In the days of the end of the pandemic, the ability to wash dirty phones with water is still something we feel is necessary. Even on flagship class devices, IP68 is mandatory and its absence is no longer unforgivable.
Usage And Software
The device uses Android 12 with the launch of Magic UI 6 which is very similar to EMUI 12. We see this in a positive light where Huawei users who want a real flagship device with 5G and GMS can migrate to Honor devices quite easily without a huge learning curve. The interface design is minimalist and easy to understand as it retains many elements from the original Android 12.
On the negative side, it reminds us that Honor is still in the shadow of Huawei. For them to truly be a self-moving brand, we felt Magic UI needed to accept a redesign with its own identity.
What we like most about Magic UI is that it is a launcher that works very smoothly. Feels faster and more responsive than MIUI and One UI. On the two launchers we mentioned earlier, the device needs to have 12GB of RAM to provide the most optimal smooth experience. The Magic4 Pro that we reviewed is only equipped with 8GB of RAM but is better to use than the Xiaomi 12 Pro and Galaxy S22 Ultra.
Honor maintains the DNA of EMUI which is known for its ability to function smoothly without the need for large RAM. We still haven’t been able to test whether the software optimization is as good as EMUI which is still smooth after 3 years as can be seen on the Huawei P30 Pro that we still use till now.
That’s why Magic UI doesn’t come with the virtual memory enhancement feature that is currently popular on Oppo, Realme and Samsung devices. No need because there is no issue of smooth interface when scrolling.
But 8GB of RAM poses an issue because of how the Magic UI manages memory. We are aware that applications that use a lot of RAM will be shut down suddenly. If Waze opens then you switch to Chrome before going to Spotify, all of a sudden we realize the navigation commands stop. When switched back to Waze via the multi-task screen, the app reopens from scratch. In silence Waze was turned off. Very unhelpful if you are driving to a destination you have never visited. It can go astray.
The RAM management system on Magic UI is more aggressive than other launchers. So the magic of this butter -smooth moving interface is enjoyed by deleting heavy apps in the background unnoticed. The launcher performs the sleight of hand magic with cunning until the illusion of 8GB of RAM is enough for almost any situation to be almost successfully performed.
Praise is given to the very fast biometry system. The 3D face scan allows it to be used in dark situations and it unlocks almost in the blink of an eye. The fingerprint scanner below the screen is placed in an ergonomic location and also detects fingerprints quickly. In short both are fast.
Bench mark
Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is the best chip for Android devices now until Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 starts to be used on new devices later. The performance of this chip on Magic4 Pro is as below.
Geekbench 5 - 958/3268 Marks
Antutu 3D - 805,972 Marks
The scores recorded are lower than the Xiaomi 12 Pro and Galaxy S22 Ultra with the same chip. For comparison the Xiaomi 12 Pro recorded 1217/3360 marks in the Geekbench 5 test and 917,034 marks in the Antutu 3D test. But as we said above the Magic4 Pro feels smoother even though its benchmark score is slightly lower.
Various popular firsts like PUBG Mobile and COD Mobile can be played at the highest settings without any issues. We just noticed the body of the device became warmer than the Xiaomi 12 Pro and Galaxy S22 Ultra for the same gaming session.
Telephones And GPS
We used a Digi SIM throughout the review which only supports 4G networks but the Magic4 Pro is already listed as a device that supports 5G DNB networks. No issue having to wait a few weeks before getting approval here.
Cellular calls are clear and bright depending on your area. In the most optimal situation with 4G shows 5 full bars of phone calls made clearly. For a better phone call experience enable VoLTE and VoWiFi for the most high definition audio quality.
GPS also worked well throughout the two -week review period. The Waze and Google Map apps instantly track the location of vehicles. As a phone and GPS, the Magic4 Pro performs brilliantly.
Camera
The camera system on the Magic4 Pro is complex and interesting. A 50MP wide -angle lens is matched with a 50MP ultra -wide -angle lens, a 64MP periscope telephoto system and a 3D ToF sensor. Because of this complex system the hump behind the device is very large in size. The device can offer optical zoom up to 3.5X and digital up to 100X - comparable to the Galaxy S22 Ultra.
On the front there is a 12MP camera with 3D ToF to produce special bokeh effects and also cum 3D face scanning system. Therefore the camera hole in the front is quite large.
Here are some sample photos we were able to take during the review period. The main camera takes sharp pictures and with good color reproduction in bright situations. Images from ultra wide angle lenses also provide the same quality. No issues in 90% of situations.
Issues that arise in poor lighting situations. We noticed in night mode the picture was clearly softer with the detail of the image starting to disappear. To be Huawei’s successor, Honor’s night mode needs to be upgraded immediately as it’s unmatched. On Huawei devices the night mode is sharp, bright and does not display significant noise. The Magic4 Pro’s night mode is softer, less bright and displays more noticeable noise.
The selfie picture is sharp but the skin color is not the same as the real situation. The bokeh mode is nice with it being able to detect the background with the subject. But if the color starts to look pale this is all useless. If Honor seriously wants to take the Huawei throne the camera capabilities need to be upgraded immediately.
The zoom capability on the Magic4 Pro at the moment is good but still behind the Galaxy S22 Ultra. The photos below were taken using ultra wide angle mode, 3.5X zoom, 10X zoom, 30X zoom and 100X zoom. From our observations only pictures up to 10x zoom alone still display satisfactory quality but all of them are less vibrant color consistency.
At 30x zoom the image is already starting to become too blurry and soft. Details on the object are no longer visible. At the 100x zoom setting, the image is so blurry that it cannot be used at all. On the Galaxy S22 Ultra, pictures are still sharp even at the 30X zoom setting. If zoom capability is a must for you, Samsung’s flagship device still has a significant advantage.
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Battery
In the heaviest usage where only the cellular network is used and constantly moving outdoors, the 4600 mAh battery offers an SOT of up to 7.5 hours with an overall usage life of around 9 hours. The performance is not very impressive but is common on Android flagship devices. On lighter use SOT around 6 hours with the device lasting up to 16 hours can be achieved. Again not a battery life that is so gratifying.
This is probably the main reason why the super fast 100W charging system is provided by Honor. The device can be recharged in about 38 minutes. This charger is also provided with each purchase reducing additional costs to the user. There are also accessories
Audio
Stereo audio can be enjoyed with both speakers shooting to the side. It is quite balanced only the bottom speaker is a little louder due to its larger audio lattice. What is a little annoying is that there is no built -in Dolby Atmos system like competitor devices. However, the audio quality from the speakers is still stable with it is clear and unbroken. There is LDAC support for accessories that support it for better audio quality.
There was only one issue on the audio system that we felt was a bit strange. The battery level of the bluetooth tethered audio accessory cannot be displayed by the device. The EMUI legacy problem is now inherited by Magic UI. Already in 2022 and we expect that in the next iteration the battery level display will be able to be displayed directly from the bluetooth settings so that users know when the TWS/headphones need to be recharged.
Competitors
Honor Magic4 Pro Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra Vivo X80 Pro
6.81 LTPO OLED, 1312 x 2848, 120Hz, (460 PPI), HDR10+
6.8 Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 1440 x 3088, 120Hz, (500 PPI), HDR10+ 6.78, LTPO AMOLED, 1440 x 3200, 120Hz, (517 ppi)
Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm)
1 X 3.0 GHz Cortex X2
3 X 2.5 GHz Cortex A710
4 X 1.8 GHz Cortex A510 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm)
1 X 3.0 GHz Cortex X2
3 X 2.5 GHz Cortex A710
4 X 1.8 GHz Cortex A510 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm)
1 X 3.0 GHz Cortex X2
3 X 2.5 GHz Cortex A710
4 X 1.8 GHz Cortex A510
Adreno 730 Adreno 730 Adreno 730
8 GB 12 GB 12 GB
256 GB UFS 3.1
256 GB UFS 3.1
256 GB UFS 3.1
Main Camera
50MP, f/1.8 Wide Angle
50MP, f/2.2 Ultra Wide Angle
64MP, f/2.5, OIS Phone 100X
3D ToF Main Camera
108MP, f/1.8, Wide Angle OIS
12MP, f/2.2 Ultra Wide Angle
10MP, f/4.5, OIS, Phone 100X
10MP, f/2.4, OIS, Telephoto 3X Main Camera
50MP, f/1.6, Wide Angle OIS
48MP, f/2.2 Ultra Wide Angle
8MP, f/3.4, OIS, Phone 60X
12MP, f/2.4, OIS, 3X Phone
Front Camera
12-Megapixel f/2.4
3D ToF
Front Camera
40-Megapixel f/2.2 Front Camera
32-Megapixel f/2.5
IP68 IP68 IP68
No audio jack No Audio jack No audio jack
Audio Stereo Audio Stereo Audio Stereo
4600 mAh
Wired 100W
Wireless 100W 5000 mAh
Wired 45W
Wireless 15W 4700 mAh
Wired 80W
Wireless 50W
Price RM3999 Price RM5499 Price RM4999
In the box
Here is what is received with every purchase of a device in Malaysia.
1x Honor Magic4 Pro.
1x USB-A to USB-C charger cable.
1x 100W Charger
1x Silicone frame.
1x Manual.
1x SIM Pin
Conclusion
When a device uses the MAGIC name we expect it to be packed with a variety of exciting and impressive features like the David Blaine show in Las Vegas. The magic of the Honor Magic4 Pro is the powerful processor, smooth operating system, premium design and extremely fast charging.
But this is achieved with illusion because the system aggressively controls the RAM until the application closes in the background. Then the performance of the camera is still not comparable to Huawei or Samsung. Even the sample Vivo X80 Pro photos we’re reviewing right now are a few steps ahead.
Like Harry Houdini, Magic4 Pro uses various illusions to give it an edge over competitors. Some tricks work and some don't. At a price of RM3999 it is offered at a price that is actually quite competitive for the premium flagship device category in Malaysia. Much cheaper than the Vivo X80 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra. The power to choose is in your hands.
Pro
Attractive design and premium feel.
Good performance with a peak level processor chip.
Magic UI 6 works smoothly even with only 8GB of RAM.
Waterproof IP68.
A very fast charging system is included with the purchase.
Software support for five years.
Cons
Zoom performance is not as good as competitors.
The performance of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is lower than the competition.
Night mode is a bit disappointing.
The curved screen complicates operation.
RAM management is too aggressive to shut down applications.