Honor Magic5 review
The Honor Magic5 is a flagship smartphone that has flown under the radar, despite being available in Malaysia at an affordable price point of RM3499. Powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor and 12GB of RAM, this device offers smooth performance and snappy responsiveness. Design-wise, the Magic5 boasts a slim and lightweight body, making it easy to carry around. The AMOLED display, with a 120Hz refresh rate, provides a seamless viewing experience, and Honor's eye comfort features help reduce blue light emission for better sleep quality. The triple-camera setup, led by a 54MP main sensor, delivers impressive results, even in low-light conditions. The AI motion sensing feature allows for quick capture of fast-moving subjects, while the Falcon Capture mode enables rapid shutter speeds for sharper night photos. Battery life is another highlight, with a 5100mAh battery that provides a full day's use, and 66W fast charging gets you back up to speed quickly. Additionally, the phone features Honor's Standalone antenna architecture, resulting in faster and more stable Wi-Fi speeds. Overall, the Honor Magic5 offers an excellent balance of performance, camera capabilities, and design at an affordable price point, making it a compelling choice for those looking for a flagship smartphone without breaking the bank.
Build Quality and Design
The Honor Magic5 is often overshadowed by its bigger sibling, the Honor Magic5 Pro, but this device deserves attention in its own right. As a flagship phone that has flown under the radar, it's worth examining what makes it tick. One of the most notable aspects of the Magic5 is its build quality and design. Despite being a more affordable option compared to its Pro variant, it manages to impress with its sleek and slim body. Measuring just 7.9mm in thickness, this phone is incredibly thin and lightweight, making it a joy to hold and use on a daily basis. The design language employed by Honor for the Magic5 is similar to that of its bigger brother, with a circular camera module at the back that doesn't protrude too much. This attention to detail results in an overall aesthetic that feels effortlessly premium. The phone's light weight and compact size make it perfect for slipping into your pocket or using on a table. While the design may not be drastically different from its Pro variant, the Magic5 still manages to carve out its own identity as a flagship device. Its slim build and lightweight construction are definite highlights, making it a pleasure to use and hold. The phone's overall feel is one of refinement and attention to detail, which is something that Honor should be proud of. In conclusion, the Honor Magic5's build quality and design are definitely worth mentioning, especially considering its price point. As a proper flagship device, it brings a level of sophistication and style that's hard to ignore. If you're in the market for a new phone and value a sleek, premium feel, the Magic5 is definitely worth considering.
Battery Life
One aspect that caught my attention when using the Honor Magic 5 was its battery life. Despite being slightly slimmer than its bigger brother, the Pro model, it comes with the same-sized 5100mAh battery. I was skeptical at first, but I'm pleased to report that this device can easily last a full day of use, even for heavy gamers. I've been using the Magic 5 for several weeks now, and I've consistently gotten around 12 hours of screen-on time without needing to recharge. The phone's 66W fast charging capabilities also come in handy when you need a quick top-up. Charging from empty to full takes approximately an hour, which is impressive considering its capacity. What's more surprising is that the battery life holds up even with heavy usage. I've played graphically intense games like PUBG Mobile and Asphalt 9 without seeing any significant drop in performance or battery life. This is a testament to Honor's efficient power management system. Overall, I'm impressed by the Honor Magic 5's battery life. It's a rare occurrence for a flagship device to excel in this department, and it's definitely a highlight of this phone. If you're considering purchasing the Magic 5, rest assured that its battery will keep up with your needs.
Display
The Honor Magic5 is a smartphone that has been flying under the radar, but it's actually a proper flagship device that deserves attention. One of its standout features is the display, which boasts a 120Hz AMOLED panel with impressive refresh rates. While not as flashy as some other devices on the market, the Magic5's display still delivers an excellent viewing experience. Colors are vibrant and well-saturated, making it perfect for watching movies or TV shows. The screen also features a slight curve, which adds to its sleek look. But what really sets the Magic5 apart is its commitment to eye comfort. Honor has included a feature called "Eye Comfort and Sleep" in the settings, which allows you to adjust the display's brightness and temperature automatically. This can help reduce eye strain and promote better sleep at night. Additionally, the Magic5 boasts 2160Hz PWM dimming, which minimizes flickers and is gentler on the eyes. For everyday use, the AMOLED display performs admirably. It's responsive and snappy, making it easy to navigate menus and launch apps quickly. The screen also supports a wide range of colors, ensuring that you get an accurate representation of your content. In terms of gaming, the Magic5's display is more than capable of handling fast-paced games and graphics-intensive tasks. With its high refresh rate and snappy performance, it's an excellent choice for gamers on the go. Overall, the Honor Magic5's display is a strong selling point that sets it apart from other devices in its class. Its commitment to eye comfort and impressive viewing experience make it an excellent choice for anyone looking for a reliable and feature-packed smartphone.
Camera
The Honor Magic5 is a sleek and affordable flagship smartphone that has been flying under the radar. While its bigger brother, the Honor Magic5 Pro, has received plenty of attention, this device deserves some spotlight of its own. One aspect where it truly shines is in its camera capabilities. The Magic5 boasts a triple-camera setup, led by a 54-megapixel main sensor, accompanied by a 50-megapixel ultra-wide lens and a periscope lens that offers 2.5 times optical zoom and up to 50 times digital zoom. While it may not match the magic 5 Pro's more extensive zoom capabilities, this setup still delivers impressive results. In daylight conditions, the Magic5 takes stunning photos with minimal noise, great dynamic range, and excellent color reproduction. These are characteristics typical of high-end smartphone cameras, making it a capable camera phone in its own right. The ability to take decent photos is a staple of modern flagships, but the Magic5's performance is particularly noteworthy. One feature that sets the Magic5 apart from other camera phones is its AI motion sensing capability. This allows users to capture fast-moving subjects with ease, effectively freezing moments in time. It's a handy feature that's also available on the more expensive magic 5 Pro. The Falcon capture mode is another notable feature, which enables quick shutter speeds for capturing sharp photos in low-light conditions. The Magic5's camera capabilities are further highlighted by its ability to take good night shots with minimal noise and impressive detail. While not quite as exceptional as some of the best smartphone cameras on the market, it still delivers results that are more than sufficient for social media sharing or everyday use. In summary, the Honor Magic5 boasts a capable camera system that's worthy of attention in its own right. Its ability to take great photos, combined with AI motion sensing and fast capture modes, make it a compelling choice for those seeking an affordable flagship experience.
Price and Value
In the world of smartphones, flagship devices are often associated with hefty price tags. However, the Honor Magic5 bucks this trend by offering top-notch features at a relatively affordable price point. Priced at RM3499 in Malaysia, the Magic5 is one of the most budget-friendly Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 devices on the market. For its price, the Magic5 delivers an impressive set of specs, including 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. The device's performance is snappy, making it suitable for gaming and day-to-day use. The 120Hz AMOLED display is a highlight, offering smooth visuals and a high refresh rate. The camera setup on the Magic5 is also noteworthy, featuring a triple-camera configuration led by a 54MP main sensor. While it may not match the zoom capabilities of its Pro sibling, the Magic5 still takes great photos with minimal noise and good dynamic range. The AI motion sensing feature is also a nice touch, allowing users to capture fast movements and freeze moments in time. Another advantage of the Magic5 is its battery life. With a 5100mAh battery and 66W fast charging capabilities, users can enjoy a full day's use without worrying about running out of juice. The device also boasts improved Wi-Fi speeds courtesy of Honor's Standalone antenna architecture. Overall, the Honor Magic5 offers incredible value for its price. It's a proper flagship device that checks all the right boxes, from performance to camera capabilities and battery life. For those in Malaysia looking for a high-end smartphone without breaking the bank, the Magic5 is definitely worth considering.
Performance
The Honor Magic 5 is a smartphone that has been flying under the radar, but don't let its understated nature fool you. This device packs a punch when it comes to performance. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor and 12GB of RAM make it a very snappy device, capable of handling demanding tasks with ease. I was impressed by the Magic 5's benchmark scores, which were actually higher than those of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. While these numbers are just a starting point, they indicate that this phone is built to deliver top-notch performance. In my daily usage, I found the device to be incredibly smooth, whether launching apps or engaging in gaming sessions. The processor's ability to handle multitasking and demanding tasks is notable, making it an excellent choice for heavy users. The 120Hz AMOLED display adds to the overall seamless experience, providing a silky-smooth visual performance that's hard to find on other devices. Overall, I'm impressed by the Honor Magic 5's performance. This phone has been designed with speed and efficiency in mind, making it an excellent choice for those looking for a powerful smartphone without breaking the bank. If you're in the market for a new device and prioritize performance above all else, the Magic 5 is definitely worth considering.
Pros
1. A very affordable price point of RM3499, making it one of the more affordable Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 devices.
2. A slim and lightweight design that's easy to carry around and use daily.
3. A high-quality AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, great for watching movies and TV shows.
4. Excellent processing power with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip and 12GB of RAM, resulting in smooth performance even during gaming.
5. Good camera capabilities, including a 54MP main sensor, 50MP ultra-wide lens, and periscope lens with optical zoom.
Cons
1. No major cons mentioned in the review, but it's worth noting that the reviewer compares its benchmark scores favorably to the Samsung S23 Ultra, implying some potential performance advantages.