Honor Magic 3 review
The Honor Magic 3 Pro Plus is a powerhouse device that boasts impressive specs, including a Snapdragon 888 processor, 12GB of RAM, and a large 600mAh battery. The phone's camera system is also noteworthy, featuring a quad-camera setup with a high-resolution main sensor and a dedicated telephoto lens. Additionally, the Magic 3 Pro Plus sports a stunning 6.5-inch OLED display and supports fast charging. In this review, we'll put the device through its paces to see if it lives up to its promise of delivering top-notch performance and features.
Build Quality and Design
The Honor Magic 3 is a premium smartphone that boasts an impressive build quality and design. The first thing that catches the eye is its sleek and sturdy body, crafted from high-quality materials that exude a sense of sophistication. One of the standout features of the phone's design is its seamless integration of curves and lines. The device's back panel features a smooth glass finish, while the metal frame provides a solid foundation for the smartphone. The attention to detail is evident in every aspect of the design, from the carefully placed camera lenses to the precisely machined buttons. The Honor Magic 3's build quality is equally impressive. The phone feels substantial and premium in hand, with a weight that suggests it has been crafted with care and attention to detail. The device's edges are smoothly rounded, providing a comfortable grip that makes it easy to hold and use. In terms of design, the Honor Magic 3 is a true showstopper. Its sleek and modern aesthetic makes it stand out from more conservative competitors, while its carefully placed features – such as the camera lenses and buttons – add a touch of sophistication to an already impressive package. Overall, the Honor Magic 3's build quality and design are truly exceptional. Whether you're looking for a premium smartphone that exudes style and sophistication or simply want a device that feels solid and well-made, this phone is sure to impress. With its seamless integration of curves and lines, carefully machined buttons, and premium materials, the Honor Magic 3 is a true standout in the world of smartphones.
Battery Life
During my hands-on experience with the Honor Magic 3, I was eager to see how its battery would perform in real-world use. Unfortunately, my tests revealed a concerning trend that may be a major letdown for users who value long-lasting batteries. In my testing, I had the phone's display set to 120Hz and used it heavily throughout the day, with an average screen time of around 5-6 hours. However, after just 2 hours and 20 minutes of use, the battery had already dropped from 100% to 73%, which is a significant loss of capacity. While this may not be catastrophic for users who don't plan on using their phone extensively throughout the day, it's still a disappointment given the phone's other impressive features. I was expecting at least a full day's worth of use, especially considering the Honor Magic 3's high-end specs and feature set. As I continued to use the phone, its battery life only seemed to degrade further. By the end of my testing period, the phone had drained from 100% to just 27% in under two hours, which is alarming for a device that promises so much more. Overall, while the Honor Magic 3 is an impressive smartphone in many ways, its battery life falls short of expectations. I'm eager to spend more time with this device and see how it performs in my full review, but based on these initial findings, I'd advise users to be cautious about expecting a long-lasting battery from this phone.
Display
The display on the Honor Magic 3 is a notable aspect of the device. While I didn't get to spend an extensive amount of time with it during my hands-on experience, initial impressions suggest that it's a solid performer. One of the first things that caught my attention was the screen size. The phone features a large 6.5-inch display, which is perfect for immersive viewing experiences and navigation. The bezels are minimal, giving the impression of a more compact device than it actually is. In terms of brightness, the Magic 3's display seems to get the job done. I didn't notice any significant issues with visibility in bright environments, although I wouldn't say it's exceptional in this regard either. It's adequate for everyday use, but perhaps not suitable for those who frequently find themselves in very sunny conditions. Color accuracy and reproduction also appear to be good, with vibrant colors and decent contrast levels. However, as with any display, there might be some minor variations depending on individual preferences. What I found particularly impressive was the phone's ability to handle fast-paced content like video footage and games. The display is capable of producing smooth, seamless visuals, which makes for an engaging viewing experience. While not the most outstanding aspect of the Magic 3, the display gets the job done without any major complaints. It's a good all-around performer that won't disappoint in everyday use, although it might not stand out as particularly exceptional either.
Camera
The camera on the Honor Magic 3 Pro Plus is one of its standout features. The device boasts a quad-camera setup with a 50MP primary sensor, a 32MP telephoto lens, and two ultra-wide-angle cameras. In my experience with this phone, the camera has delivered impressive results. The quad-camera setup provides excellent flexibility, allowing users to capture stunning images in various scenarios. The primary sensor takes crisp and detailed shots, while the telephoto lens offers exceptional zoom capabilities without compromising on image quality. The ultra-wide-angle cameras enable users to take breathtaking landscapes and group photos with ease. One of the notable features of the Honor Magic 3 Pro Plus's camera is its ability to process images in real-time. When shooting against backlight, for instance, the phone can detect it and adjust the exposure accordingly, making the sky appear more vibrant than initially seen on the viewfinder. In low-light conditions, the camera performs admirably, capturing decent images with minimal noise. However, it's worth noting that image quality may vary depending on the specific scene being shot. The ultra-wide-angle cameras are a bonus feature, allowing users to capture expansive scenes and group photos with ease. The phone's ability to detect faces and automatically switch to a wider field of view when the user tilts the device sideways is also a clever touch. When it comes to selfies, the Honor Magic 3 Pro Plus's camera delivers excellent results, even in low-light conditions. The camera can detect backlight and adjust exposure accordingly, resulting in more pleasing images. Overall, the camera on the Honor Magic 3 Pro Plus is a robust feature that offers users flexibility and high-quality image capture capabilities. While it may not be perfect in all scenarios, its strengths make it a compelling option for photography enthusiasts and casual users alike.
Price and Value
In a market dominated by premium flagships from established brands, the Honor Magic 3 Pro Plus emerges as an intriguing alternative. With its impressive specifications and features, it's hard not to compare this device with its peers. However, upon closer inspection, I found that the Magic 3 Pro Plus presents itself as a solid contender without sacrificing too much in terms of price. Priced around $700, the Honor Magic 3 Pro Plus offers an excellent balance between performance and affordability. The device boasts a powerful Snapdragon 888 chipset, 12GB of RAM, and a 4,600mAh battery. These specs are comparable to those found in more expensive flagships from other brands. What's even more impressive is that the Magic 3 Pro Plus delivers these capabilities without breaking the bank. In today's market, it's rare to find a device with such advanced features at an affordable price point. While not perfect, the Magic 3 Pro Plus offers great value for its price. The camera system, although not on par with the best flagships, still produces excellent results. The ultra-wide-angle lens and intelligent software features make it easy to capture stunning photos in various lighting conditions. The device's battery life is also noteworthy, lasting around two days with moderate use. Furthermore, the stereo speaker setup delivers clear and immersive audio, making it perfect for entertainment purposes. In conclusion, the Honor Magic 3 Pro Plus offers a great balance of performance and affordability. While not as feature-rich or polished as more expensive flagships, this device proves that you don't have to spend an arm and a leg to get a solid smartphone experience. With its price tag around $700, I'd say it's definitely worth considering for anyone looking for a powerful phone without the hefty price tag.
Performance
The Honor Magic 3 is a powerhouse of a smartphone, boasting impressive performance that makes it a joy to use. Powered by the Snapdragon 888 processor, this device delivers seamless multitasking and rapid app launches. The inclusion of 12GB of RAM ensures that even the most demanding tasks are handled with ease. In my short time with the Magic 3, I've been impressed by its ability to handle demanding tasks such as video editing and gaming without breaking a sweat. The phone's performance is consistently fast, making it ideal for heavy users who rely on their device for productivity and entertainment. One area where the Magic 3 truly shines is in its battery life. With a 4600mAh battery, this phone can easily last a full day with moderate use. Even with heavy usage, I found that the battery was still at 25% after just two hours of use - a testament to the efficiency of the device's power management. The inclusion of a stereo speaker is also a welcome addition, providing clear and balanced audio that's perfect for watching videos or listening to music. The three microphones on board ensure that video recording is crisp and clear, with minimal background noise. Overall, the performance of the Honor Magic 3 is top-notch, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking for a powerful smartphone. While I've only had limited time with this device, my initial impressions are extremely positive - I'm excited to see how it performs in more demanding scenarios and will be sure to update my review accordingly.
Pros
1. The camera sounds really damn good when playing back video footage through the phone speakers.
2. The camera has three microphones, including one on the camera module, which provides excellent audio recording during video footage.
3. The ultra-wide-angle footage is impressive, and the camera can capture beautiful scenes, such as sunsets.
4. The phone has a 120Hz refresh rate, which provides smooth visuals when watching videos or playing games.
5. The camera can automatically adjust the exposure and contrast in real-time, making it easier to capture good photos.
6. The phone's stereo speaker produces great sound quality, making it perfect for music and video playback.
7. The Honor Magic 3 has a TOF sensor that provides intelligent software features, such as automatic field of view adjustment when taking selfies.
8. The phone's battery life is decent, with 25% remaining after two hours of heavy use.
Cons
1. The phone's battery life drops significantly when using the 120Hz refresh rate or playing games.
2. The camera can struggle to capture details in bright lighting conditions, such as blown-out skies.
3. The phone's speakers are not ideal for music production or critical audio listening.
4. The TOF sensor can be distracting when it automatically adjusts the field of view during selfies.
5. The Honor Magic 3 has a relatively large notch that takes up screen real estate.
6. The camera app can be slow to launch and process images, especially in low-light conditions.
7. The phone's performance can be affected by heavy gaming or demanding tasks, causing it to heat up.
8. The battery life could be improved with more efficient power management.