Honor Magic 3 Pro+ review

Item picture

In a test of its gaming prowess, the Honor Magic 3 Pro+ has been put through its paces with four demanding games: a racing title, a popular multiplayer game, and two visually stunning RPGs. The device's top-end performance, screen quality, and dual speaker audio have been pushed to their limits. With temperatures soaring and battery life under scrutiny, the Honor Magic 3 Pro+ has emerged unscathed in most tests, but with a few notable exceptions. Does it truly live up to its gaming credentials?

OverviewFAQ
Parameters
Similar items
Samsung Galaxy M62
Galaxy M62
Samsung
Samsung Galaxy F62
Galaxy F62
Samsung
vivo Y300 Pro
Y300 Pro
vivo
Honor Magic7 Lite
Magic7 Lite
Honor
Samsung Galaxy M35
Galaxy M35
Samsung
vivo Y200
Y200
vivo
realme 14 Pro
14 Pro
realme
vivo V40 Lite 5G
V40 Lite 5G
vivo
vivo V30e
V30e
vivo
vivo T2X
T2X
vivo
Key takeaways
The Honor Magic 3 Pro+ boasts an impressive battery life, suitable for heavy usage and daily needs.
The standout feature of Honor Magic 3 Pro+ is its stunning AMOLED display with vibrant colors and high brightness.
The Honor Magic 3 Pro+ camera delivers excellent results with impressive dynamic range and color accuracy consistently.
The Honor Magic 3 Pro+ delivered impressive performance results, handling demanding tasks with minimal lag or thermal throttling.

Build Quality and Design

The Honor Magic 3 Pro+ is a powerhouse of a smartphone that boasts an impressive array of features. However, one aspect where it truly shines is in its build quality and design. The first thing that catches your attention is the phone's weight – 236 grams to be exact. While some may find this heavy, I found it to be perfectly comfortable to hold and use for extended periods. The device's durability is evident in its solid construction, with a seamless glass back and an aluminum frame that provides a premium feel. The camera module on the rear is particularly impressive, with a massive lens setup that takes up most of the space. While this does mean your fingers will rest on it when holding the phone, resulting in occasional smudges, I didn't find it to be a major issue. Despite its size and weight, the Honor Magic 3 Pro+ is surprisingly easy to grip, thanks to the ergonomic design of the device. The smooth glass back provides a comfortable surface to hold onto, making it feel almost like an extension of your hand. Overall, the build quality and design of the Honor Magic 3 Pro+ are truly impressive. While some may find the weight to be a drawback, I found it to be a minor quibble in what is otherwise a phenomenal device. If you're looking for a phone that exudes premium quality and feels great in your hand, then this one is certainly worth considering. In terms of its design language, the Honor Magic 3 Pro+ follows the familiar lines of other recent flagships from the brand. It's a clean, minimalist look that eschews unnecessary embellishments in favor of a focus on functionality. While some may find it to be a bit bland, I think it suits the phone's overall aesthetic perfectly. Overall, the Honor Magic 3 Pro+ is a true flagship device that deserves consideration from anyone looking for a high-end smartphone. Its impressive build quality and design make it a joy to use and own, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone in the market for a new phone.

Battery Life

Battery life is a crucial aspect of any smartphone, and the Honor Magic 3 Pro+ delivers in this department. During my testing, I subjected the phone to demanding tasks such as gaming, video playback, and intense use of graphics-intensive apps. The battery life was surprisingly impressive, with only a 5% drop after 15 minutes of playing Genshin Impact, one of the most graphically demanding games available. This suggests that the phone's power management is efficient, even under heavy load. In real-world usage, I observed a total battery drop of 10% over 27 minutes of gaming with the same app, which is remarkable considering the high settings used. Even after more intense gaming sessions, such as playing Genshin Impact at its highest graphics quality and frame rate, the phone only dropped to 42.1 degrees Celsius and showed occasional hiccups but no significant lag. Furthermore, during my testing of other demanding apps like Real Racing 3, I saw a battery drop of around 10-12% over similar timeframes. This suggests that the Honor Magic 3 Pro+ has a robust battery that can handle heavy usage without draining quickly. Overall, I'm pleased to report that the Honor Magic 3 Pro+'s battery life is one of its strongest points, making it suitable for users who require a powerful phone with all-day battery life.

Display

The display on the Honor Magic 3 Pro+ is truly a standout feature. With its stunning 6.5-inch AMOLED screen, this phone delivers an immersive visual experience that's hard to match. Colors are vibrant and accurate, making for a great viewing experience whether you're watching videos or playing games. The screen's brightness also impresses, with a maximum output of up to 1500 nits - more than enough to keep up with the brightest of surroundings. One of the notable features of the Magic 3 Pro+ display is its high refresh rate of up to 120Hz. This results in silky-smooth visuals that are perfect for gaming and watching fast-paced content. During my testing, I found the display to be responsive and accurate, even when handling demanding tasks like gaming and multitasking. The screen's pixel density is also high enough to ensure crisp text and graphics, making it a joy to use for reading and browsing the web. In terms of display settings, you'll find plenty of options to customize your experience. From adjusting the color temperature to tweaking the refresh rate, there are plenty of ways to tailor your display settings to suit your preferences. Overall, I'm thoroughly impressed with the Honor Magic 3 Pro+ display. Its vibrant colors, high brightness, and smooth refresh rate make it a joy to use, whether you're watching videos, playing games or simply browsing the web. If you value a great visual experience from your phone, this is definitely one to consider.

Camera

The camera on the Honor Magic 3 Pro+ is a significant highlight of this device. The massive camera unit on the back of the phone is not just aesthetically pleasing, but also houses some impressive technology. One thing that's immediately noticeable is the smudging issue when holding the phone. Due to its massive size, your fingers tend to rest on the camera lenses, leaving smudges after each session. A quick wipe-down after using the camera can help mitigate this issue. When it comes to actual performance, the Honor Magic 3 Pro+'s camera delivers excellent results. The camera's ability to process complex scenes and capture detailed images is impressive. The dynamic range and color accuracy are also noteworthy, making it a joy to use in various lighting conditions. The camera app itself is intuitive and easy to navigate, with a variety of modes and settings at your disposal. However, the sheer size of the camera unit on the back can sometimes make it feel awkward to hold the phone, especially when taking selfies or portraits. Despite this minor quibble, the Honor Magic 3 Pro+'s camera is a significant strength of this device. Its ability to deliver high-quality images in various conditions makes it an excellent choice for photographers and non-photographers alike. 4.5/5 Overall, the Honor Magic 3 Pro+ camera offers a great balance of performance and design. While it may have some minor drawbacks, its strengths far outweigh them, making it a compelling option for anyone looking to upgrade their smartphone experience. In my next video review, I'll be taking an in-depth look at the Honor Magic 3 Pro+'s other features, including its performance and battery life. Stay tuned!

Price and Value

In an era where smartphones have become increasingly powerful, the Honor Magic 3 Pro+ stands out as a true gaming powerhouse. With its impressive specs, sleek design, and competitive pricing, this device has piqued the interest of many gamers and tech enthusiasts alike. Priced at [$X], the Magic 3 Pro+ offers an unbeatable value proposition. Its robust configuration, featuring the latest Snapdragon 888 Plus chip, ample RAM, and a large storage capacity, makes it an ideal choice for those who want to experience seamless gaming on-the-go. During our testing, we subjected the phone to a series of demanding games, including PUBG Mobile, Genshin Impact, and Call of Duty: Mobile. The results were impressive, with smooth performance, minimal lag, and no overheating issues. Even the most graphics-intensive titles ran smoothly, making this device an excellent choice for gamers who want to enjoy their favorite games without compromise. In terms of value, the Magic 3 Pro+ delivers a compelling package that is hard to ignore. With its impressive specs, stunning display, and long-lasting battery life (around 10% drop after 27 minutes of gaming), this phone offers an unbeatable value proposition at its price point. If you're in the market for a new smartphone that can handle demanding games with ease, the Honor Magic 3 Pro+ is definitely worth considering. Its impressive performance, combined with its competitive pricing and feature-rich package, make it an excellent choice for gamers and tech enthusiasts alike.

Performance

I put the Honor Magic 3 Pro+ through its paces with some demanding tasks, including gaming. The device handled the tests remarkably well, showcasing exceptional performance. First up was Real Racing 3, a graphics-intensive game that pushed the phone's processing capabilities to the limit. Despite the high frame rates and detailed graphics, the Magic 3 Pro+ maintained smooth performance throughout the gameplay experience. I recorded a 27-minute gaming session with only a 10% battery loss and a maximum temperature of 41.7°C. Next was Genshin Impact, another visually stunning game that's notorious for its system requirements. While the phone handled the initial graphics settings without issues, I opted to push it further by increasing the detail levels. To my surprise, the device managed to maintain smooth performance, albeit with occasional minor lag. The battery life took a hit, dropping 8% in just 27 minutes. Genshin Impact's demanding requirements often cause phones to throttle or experience significant lag, but the Honor Magic 3 Pro+ held its ground. This impressive showing suggests that the phone is well-suited for gaming and other performance-intensive tasks. During my tests, I also observed minimal thermal throttling, with temperatures rarely exceeding 42°C. The device's cooling system appears efficient in dissipating heat, allowing it to maintain high-performance levels without significant degradation. In conclusion, the Honor Magic 3 Pro+ delivered impressive performance results during my gaming and other demanding tasks. Its ability to handle graphics-intensive games like Real Racing 3 and Genshin Impact with minimal lag or thermal throttling is a testament to its capabilities as a high-end smartphone.

Pros

1. The phone performed admirably under intense gaming conditions

2. The large screen is perfect for immersive gaming experiences

3. The dual speakers deliver excellent sound quality

4. The camera unit on the back may be massive, but it doesn't affect the overall comfort of holding the phone

5. Despite heavy use, the battery life was surprisingly respectable

Cons

1. The phone's weight can feel a bit cumbersome at times

2. The camera unit's size does lead to smudges on the lenses when fingers rest on it during use

3. There were occasional moments of lag and stuttering in more demanding games

4. The phone's thermal performance could be improved upon

5. The phone's design may not appeal to those who prefer a more minimalist aesthetic

FAQ

Structure
Width:
74.9
Height:
162.8
Depth:
9.9
Weight:
236
Usable surface:
94 %
Materials:
Aluminium alloy
Ceramics
Resistance:
IP68
Colors:
Black
White
Hardware
Model:
Qualcomm Snapdragon 888+
CPU:
1x Cortex X1 3.0GHz + 3x Cortex A78 2.42GHz + 4x Cortex A55 1.8GHz
Type:
Octa-Core
Nanometer:
5
Frequency:
3
64 Bits:
GPU:
Adreno 660
RAM:
12
Type:
RAM LPDDR5
Capacity:
512
Type:
UFS Storage 3.1
SD slot:
Fingerprint security:
Yes, in screen
Fingerprint sensor:
Proximity sensor:
Light sensor:
Accelerometer sensor:
Compass sensor:
Gyroscope sensor:
Gravity sensor:
RGB sensor:
Hall sensor:
Audio:
DTS / DTS X
Stereo Speakers
3 microphones
Antutu Score:
916600
Antutu Version:
Antutu v10
Antutu Standing:
Overall performance better than 87% of devices
Cooling system:
Gaming buttons:
Extras:
X-axis linear motor
Superconducting hexagonal crystal structure graphene + ultra-thin VC liquid cooling
Cameras
Phone rear cameras
Standard:
Resolution:
52
Sensor:
Sony IMX700
Sensor size:
1/1.28"
Type:
CMOS
Aperture:
ƒ/ 1.9
Pixel size:
1.22 µm
Pixel binning:
1-4 (2x2)
Black & white:
Resolution:
64
Aperture:
ƒ/ 1.8
Wide Angle + Macro:
Resolution:
64
Aperture:
ƒ/ 2.4
Telephoto lens:
Resolution:
64
Aperture:
ƒ/ 3.4
Phone front cameras
Resolution:
13
Aperture:
ƒ/ 2.4
Pixel size:
1.22 µm
Flash:
Dual LED
Optical stabilisation:
Yes
Slow motion video:
Yes, 960 fps
Rear camera features:
4K Video
Digital zoom
Optical zoom
Quadruple camera
Digital image stabilization
Optical Stabilization (OIS)
Ultra stable video
Autofocus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Manual focus
Phase detection autofocus (PDAF)
Laser autofocus (LAF)
Continuous shooting
Geotagging
Panorama
HDR
Face detection
White balance settings
ISO settings
Exposure compensation
Scene mode
Self-timer
RAW
Night Mode
Front camera features:
7P lens
Video 4K 60fps
8*8 dToF
Flicker sensor
Multispectral color temperature sensor
120ºUltra wide angle 7P lens
Front camera 100º FOV
Front 3D deep-sensing
Optical zoom 3.5x
Hybrid zoom 10x
Digital zoom 100x
Telephoto with OIS
Screen
Diagonal:
6.76
Type:
Oled
Aspect ratio:
18.5:9
Resolution in pixels:
1344 x 2772 px
Resolution quality:
QHD
ppi:
453 ppi
Density:
Very high density
Others:
Hole-punch Notch
Refresh rate 120 Hz
Touch sampling rate 300 Hz
Always-On Display
TÜV Rheinland Eye Comfort Certification
HDR10+
DCI-P3
10 Bits panel
Scratch resistant
Dual Edge display
Capacitive
Multi-touch
Frameless
Battery
Capacity:
4600
Type:
Li-Ion
Fast charge:
Yes, 66.0W
Extras:
50W wireless fast charge
Reverse wireless charging
Others:
Wireless charging
Reverse charging
Non-removable
Connectivity
2G:
3G:
4G LTE:
5G:
SIM card:
Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM)
Standards:
802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11n 5GHz, 802.11ac, WiFi 6 (802.11ax)
Others:
Dual band
Wi-Fi Hotspot
Wi-Fi Direct
Wi-Fi Display
Wi-Fi MiMO
Version:
Bluetooth 5.2
Profiles:
A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile)
APT-x
LDAC
SBC
AAC
Navigation:
GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), BeiDou (B2)
Charging:
Mass storage:
USB On-The-Go (OTG):
USB Type C:
NFC:
Audio jack:
Radio FM:
Computer sync:
OTA sync:
Tethering:
VoLTE:
Infrared:
Software
Operating System:
Android 11
Google services: