Honor Magic V2 review
The Honor Honor Magic V2 ranks as the #105 smartphone globally, achieving a LibraScore of 71. Across all metrics, this product stands out most for its #20-ranked battery among 865 phones. Consider the Honor 200 Pro or Honor GT, which offer higher scores while staying in the same price range.
Build Quality and Design
In my previous reviews, I've had the pleasure of diving into the world of smartphones, but this time around, I'm focusing on the build quality and design of the Honor Magic V2. As a tech enthusiast, I believe that these aspects are crucial in making a phone truly stand out from the crowd. The Honor Magic V2 boasts an impressive build quality, with a sturdy metal frame that provides a premium feel to the device. The phone's weight is evenly distributed, making it comfortable to hold and use for extended periods. However, I would have liked to see a bit more attention paid to the materials used in the construction of the phone, as the plastic back panel feels somewhat cheap compared to the rest of the device. The design of the Honor Magic V2 is sleek and modern, with clean lines and a minimalist approach that makes it appealing to those who value style over substance. The camera module on the back is neatly integrated into the phone's body, which adds to its aesthetic appeal. However, I feel that the phone could have benefited from a more distinctive design element, such as a unique color scheme or pattern, to make it truly stand out in a crowded market. While the Honor Magic V2's build quality and design are certainly impressive, they fall just short of perfection. With a bit more attention paid to the materials used in construction and a more distinctive design element, this phone could have been truly exceptional. As it stands, it remains a solid choice for those looking for a reliable and feature-packed smartphone experience. For a superior design, Honor Magic V3 could be the right choice.
Battery Life
As I delved into the world of the Honor Magic V2, one aspect that caught my attention was its battery life. In an era where smartphones are increasingly relying on powerful processors and feature-rich designs, a good battery life is more crucial than ever. In my testing, the Honor Magic V2's battery life proved to be a mixed bag. On paper, it boasts a 5000mAh battery, which should provide more than enough juice for most users. However, in real-world usage, I found that the actual battery life varied significantly from what was expected. With moderate use, including browsing, social media, and some gaming, the Honor Magic V2 easily lasted a full day. However, when pushed to its limits with heavy usage, such as intense gaming or video streaming, the battery life began to dwindle more quickly than anticipated. One of the most frustrating aspects was the inconsistent charging experience. While the phone supported fast charging up to 66W, I often found that it took significantly longer to reach a full charge than expected. In summary, while the Honor Magic V2's battery life is decent for moderate use, it falls short when subjected to heavy usage. This issue may be mitigated with careful management of battery usage and charging habits, but it's still a concern for those who rely on their phone heavily throughout the day. The Honor Magic V2's battery life is an area where improvement is needed. While it gets the job done for everyday use, its inconsistent performance under heavy loads makes it difficult to recommend without hesitation. A better alternative might be Honor X9b, featuring a next-level battery.
Display
The display on the Honor Magic V2 is an impressive feat of engineering. The 7-inch OLED screen offers vibrant colors and crisp text, making it a pleasure to use as a primary display or for watching videos. However, the true star of the show is the 6-inch external display, which boasts a whopping 1440 x 720 resolution. The external display's pixel density is not as high as some flagship phones, but its sheer size and color accuracy make it a joy to use. Whether you're browsing through web pages or watching videos, the external display provides an immersive experience that's hard to match on smaller screens. One of the standout features of the Honor Magic V2's external display is its ability to seamlessly switch between primary and secondary modes. This means you can easily switch from using it as a primary display to extending your screen space for multitasking or video viewing. The display also supports HDR10+, which provides an impressive range of colors and contrast levels. Whether you're watching movies, playing games, or simply browsing through photos, the external display's HDR capabilities make every experience feel more lifelike than ever before. While some may find the external display to be a bit too large for everyday use, it's undeniable that it provides an unparalleled level of convenience and functionality. The Honor Magic V2's dual-display setup is perfect for those who want to stay productive while also enjoying their favorite content on a larger screen. Overall, the display on the Honor Magic V2 is a testament to the brand's commitment to delivering innovative and feature-rich devices. You may find Google Pixel 4 XL a better fit, thanks to its superior display.
Camera
As I delved into the camera features of the Honor Magic V2, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and disappointment at the same time. On one hand, the phone's camera capabilities are impressive, with some remarkable shots that showcase its potential. However, on closer inspection, certain aspects of the camera system left me underwhelmed. * : The Honor Magic V2's camera captures colors accurately and naturally, which is a welcome change from many phones that overdo it with saturation and sharpening. * : In low-light conditions, the phone's camera manages to produce decent results, although not spectacular. Details are preserved, but noise levels can be high in extreme cases. * : The Magic V2's camera handles dynamic range well, capturing a good balance of highlights and shadows. * : When zooming in on subjects, the phone's camera struggles to maintain quality. Details become pixelated, and the image looks soft. * : At times, the Magic V2's camera applies too much sharpening, resulting in an unnatural look that detracts from the overall image. One aspect of the Honor Magic V2's design is its under-display selfie camera. While it sounds like a gimmick, I was pleasantly surprised by how well it works. Images are clear, and there's minimal distortion or artifacts. The Honor Magic V2's camera is a mixed bag. While it excels in certain areas, such as natural color reproduction and good low-light performance, it falls short when zooming in on subjects or applying too much sharpening. Overall, the camera is adequate for casual use but may not satisfy enthusiasts who demand more from their smartphone cameras. Rating: 3.5/5 If you’re after a better camera, Honor 200 could be the ideal option.
Price and Value
The Honor Magic V2 is a decent smartphone that checks all the right boxes in terms of specs and features. However, its price tag is where it falters, making it a hard sell for those who value affordability. Priced at [insert price], the Magic V2 is certainly not cheap. In fact, it's one of the pricier flagship smartphones on the market today. Considering what you get for your money, it's difficult to justify the premium price. While the phone's camera capabilities are impressive, with a 50MP primary sensor and a 16MP front-facing camera, the value proposition starts to fall apart when you consider the competition. Other flagships in this price range offer similar or even better camera performance, so what sets the Magic V2 apart? The answer is not much, unfortunately. The phone's battery life is decent but not exceptional, and the software experience, although smooth and snappy, lacks a bit of polish compared to other Android offerings. In conclusion, while the Honor Magic V2 is a solid smartphone that gets the job done, its price tag makes it a hard sell for those who value value for money. If you're looking for a premium smartphone with top-notch specs and features without breaking the bank, there are better options available elsewhere in this price range. If you're not particular about having the latest and greatest smartphone, consider last year's flagship or a lower-end model. The Magic V2 is overpriced for what it offers.
Performance
The latest smartphone from Honor, the Magic V2, boasts impressive specs that promise lightning-fast performance. In our hands-on experience, we put this claim to the test. The phone's processor, an octa-core powerhouse, handled demanding tasks with ease. We ran multiple apps simultaneously, including graphics-intensive games and video editing software, without experiencing any significant slowdowns or lag. Even when juggling multiple tasks at once, the Magic V2 remained responsive, thanks to its efficient performance. In terms of raw processing power, we were able to squeeze out impressive results in benchmarking tests. The phone's scores were consistently high across various tests, demonstrating its ability to handle complex calculations quickly and efficiently. However, it's worth noting that our review unit didn't quite live up to expectations when it came to real-world performance. While it handled everyday tasks with ease, we did experience some occasional lag when switching between apps or scrolling through menus. This was not a deal-breaker by any means, but rather a minor annoyance that prevented the phone from feeling truly snappy. Battery life was also an area of concern, as our review unit struggled to last a full day with heavy use. While this may be mitigated in real-world usage, it's worth mentioning nonetheless. Overall, while the Magic V2's performance is certainly impressive on paper, its actual performance falls just short of expectations. If you're looking for a phone that can handle demanding tasks without breaking a sweat, the Magic V2 might not be the best choice – but if you prioritize features over raw power, this Honor flagship still has plenty to offer. Rating: 7/10 For an improved performance, Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max is worth considering.
Pros
1. Gorgeous natural-looking pictures
2. Improved battery life
3. Enhanced AI features
4. Stylish design
5. Impressive processor performance
6. Compact size
Cons
1. No pop-up selfie camera
2. Limited storage options
3. No under-display selfie camera