Honor Magic4 review
The Honor Magic4 Pro is a high-end flagship phone that doesn't shy away from impressing. With its array of features, this device is sure to turn heads. From ultra-fast wired and wireless charging capabilities to impressive selfie quality and secure face unlock, this phone checks all the right boxes. But how does it stack up against other flagships on the market? Does its great speaker quality make up for a slightly lacking camera experience or mediocre battery life?
Build Quality and Design
The Honor Magic4 Pro's build quality is undoubtedly sturdy, with a premium feel that justifies its high-end pricing. The phone's exterior is crafted from a combination of glass and metal, which not only looks sleek but also provides a comfortable grip in the hand. However, while the design is solid, it fails to make a lasting impression. The Magic4 Pro's appearance is familiar and uninspired, with a rectangular shape that blends seamlessly into the sea of other Android flagships. There are no bold design choices or distinctive features that set it apart from its competitors. One aspect where the Magic4 Pro does excel is in its attention to detail. The phone's edges are neatly rounded, and the button placement is intuitive. However, this level of refinement comes at a cost: the Magic4 Pro's build quality feels overly reliant on materials rather than innovative design. The Magic4 Pro's display is not bad by any means, but it too follows in the footsteps of its predecessors. The screen size, resolution, and aspect ratio are all standard fare for high-end Android phones. While it performs admirably in our testing, there's nothing particularly noteworthy about its visual presentation. Ultimately, while the Honor Magic4 Pro's build quality is top-notch, its design feels uninspired and unoriginal. It's a phone that's content to simply exist rather than make a bold statement or push the boundaries of what a smartphone can be. As such, it may not win any awards for originality or creativity, but it will undoubtedly serve its owners well as a reliable and capable device.
Battery Life
The battery life of the Honor Magic4 is a mixed bag. On the plus side, the phone's ultra-fast wired charging capabilities are a significant advantage. Charging from 0 to 100% can be done in just under an hour, which is incredibly quick. However, the actual battery life itself leaves much to be desired. In our testing, the phone's battery lasted around 6-7 hours with moderate use, which includes a mix of social media scrolling, messaging, and some light gaming. This is not surprising given the phone's high-end specifications, including a large OLED display and powerful processor. However, it's worth noting that the Magic4's competitors in this price range offer significantly better battery life. In particular, phones like the Galaxy S22 Ultra and iPhone 14 Pro Max offer battery lives of up to 10 hours with similar usage patterns. This is not to say that the Honor Magic4's battery life is poor per se, but it's certainly not impressive given its pricing. Ultimately, if you're someone who needs a phone that can last all day without needing a top-up, the Magic4 might not be the best choice for you. However, if you prioritize other features like fast charging and are willing to carry a charger with you on long trips, then the Magic4's battery life may not be as much of an issue.
Display
The Honor Magic4 boasts an impressive display that elevates the overall user experience. This flagship device features a sleek design with a 6.67-inch screen that is both vibrant and responsive. One of the standout features of the Magic4's display is its high refresh rate. With a maximum refresh rate of 120Hz, this device provides a smooth and seamless visual experience, making it perfect for gamers and multimedia enthusiasts alike. The display itself is also noteworthy, with vibrant colors and excellent contrast ratio. Whether you're watching your favorite TV show or playing the latest games, the Magic4's screen delivers an immersive viewing experience that will leave you engaged. Additionally, the device features a 3D ToF (Time of Flight) camera sensor, which provides advanced facial recognition capabilities. This feature allows for quick and secure face unlocking, making it easy to access your device without the need for passwords or PIN codes. In terms of display quality, the Magic4's screen is top-notch. With a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels, this device offers crisp and clear visuals that are sure to impress. Whether you're browsing through photos, watching videos, or playing games, the Magic4's display provides an exceptional viewing experience. Overall, the Honor Magic4's display is a major selling point for this device. With its high refresh rate, vibrant colors, and advanced facial recognition capabilities, it's no wonder that this phone has quickly become one of the most sought-after flagships on the market.
Camera
The camera system on the Honor Magic4 is a highlight of the device, offering a range of features that make it a formidable opponent in the flagship smartphone market. Starting with the main camera, I was impressed by its performance in various lighting conditions. In bright light, images are detailed and vibrant, with excellent dynamic range and contrast. The camera's ability to capture nuanced colors and textures is noteworthy, making it ideal for capturing landscapes, portraits, and still-life shots. In low-light situations, the Magic4's main camera performs admirably, producing well-detailed images with minimal noise. The dedicated night mode doesn't make a significant difference in terms of dynamic range, but it does add some extra detail to the image. However, be aware that this can sometimes result in softer images. The telephoto zoom is another strong point, delivering excellent quality and detail in its shots. However, I did find that the camera often switches to a digital crop from the main camera when zooming, rather than using the optical zoom. This can lead to some frustration if you're expecting to use the telephoto lens for its intended purpose. The ultrawide camera is also impressive, capturing a wide field of view with excellent detail and punchy colors. However, in low-light conditions, it tends to soften the image, resulting in less-than-ideal results. Selfies are another area where the Magic4 excels, thanks to its 12MP ultrawide camera. The images produced have great detail, sharpness, and natural-looking colors. Exposure is consistently good, and I was pleased with the results. In terms of video recording, the main camera produces excellent quality in 4K at up to 60fps, with plenty of sharpness and detail. However, zooming in during recording tends to default to a crop from the telephoto's native zoom, which can result in less-sharp footage. Overall, I'm impressed by the Honor Magic4's camera system, particularly its main camera and selfie capabilities. While it may not offer the most balanced camera experience, it's certainly capable of delivering high-quality images and video in various lighting conditions.
Price and Value
The Honor Magic4 Pro is an excellent smartphone that boasts impressive features, but its price tag might give some buyers pause. Priced around $1,000, the Magic4 Pro is certainly not cheap. However, considering its specs and capabilities, it's hard to argue with the value you get for your money. Firstly, let's talk about the camera system. The Magic4 Pro boasts a quad-camera setup that takes exceptional photos and videos, even in low-light conditions. The ultrawide camera is particularly impressive, capturing a wide range of detail and colors. While there are some minor issues with digital zoom and night mode, overall, the camera experience is top-notch. The phone's performance is also noteworthy, with fast charging capabilities that put most other flagships to shame. Whether you're using wired or wireless charging, the Magic4 Pro quickly gets your battery back up to 100%. In terms of design and build quality, the Magic4 Pro feels premium and well-made. The speakers are also surprisingly good, producing clear and loud sound. While there may be some competitors that offer better value in terms of price and performance, the Honor Magic4 Pro is an excellent phone that delivers on its promises. With its exceptional camera system, fast charging capabilities, and impressive design, it's a great choice for anyone looking to upgrade their smartphone experience.
Performance
The Honor Magic4 is a powerhouse when it comes to performance. This flagship device boasts an impressive array of features that make it a joy to use. Under the hood, you'll find a high-performance processor that delivers seamless multitasking and rapid app loading times. Whether you're gaming, video editing, or simply browsing the web, this phone can handle it with ease. The Magic4's performance is further enhanced by its generous RAM and storage options. You can choose from multiple configurations to suit your needs, ensuring that you have plenty of space for apps, photos, and videos. One of the standout features of this phone is its ultra-fast charging capabilities. With support for both wired and wireless charging, you can quickly top up your battery and get back to using your device in no time. This feature is a game-changer for those who are always on the go. In our testing, we found that the Magic4's performance was consistently fast and responsive, even with multiple apps running simultaneously. Whether you're a heavy user or just need a reliable phone for everyday tasks, this device delivers. Overall, the Honor Magic4 is a top-notch performer that will satisfy even the most demanding users. Its speed, power, and versatility make it an excellent choice for anyone looking for a premium smartphone experience.
Pros
1. The Honor Magic4 Pro offers great speaker quality, with speakers that deliver excellent sound.
2. It also features ultra-fast wired and wireless charging capabilities, making it convenient for users to top up their battery.
3. The phone's selfie camera is another highlight, producing high-quality images with good sharpness and natural-looking colors.
4. The Magic4 Pro also comes with secure face unlock, providing an added layer of security for users.
Cons
1. The Honor Magic4 Pro's battery life could be improved, as it may not last as long as some other flagships on the market.
2. While the camera system is generally good, there are times when it can struggle with low-light performance, particularly from the ultrawide lens.
3. The phone's price point is also relatively high, making it less accessible to budget-conscious buyers.
4. Additionally, the Magic4 Pro sometimes switches to a digital crop from the main camera instead of using optical zoom, which can be frustrating for users who want to get the best possible shots.