HONOR has officially unveiled its latest offering, the HONOR Magic 6 series, with the Pro variant standing out as a powerhouse in the realm of camera technology. For a while, there have been speculations about HONOR’s foray into groundbreaking periscope camera technology, and the launch of the Magic 6 series in China has now confirmed these expectations.
The headline feature of the Magic 6 Pro is undoubtedly its 180MP 2.5x periscope camera, boasting a 1/1.49-inch sensor and an impressive f/2.6 aperture. HONOR claims that this innovative camera covers focal lengths ranging from 68mm to 270mm, equivalent to approximately 11x zoom. Additionally, the phone offers a striking 100x digital zoom capability, although concerns have been raised about potential image quality issues, as hinted at by HONOR’s marketing material.
Despite these reservations, the prospect of a 180MP periscope camera is generating considerable excitement among tech enthusiasts. Even a conservative crop to 5x from this 2.5x camera could yield a stunning 45MP image. However, the challenge lies in ensuring that the periscope camera can overcome the typical pitfalls associated with ultra-high-resolution sensors, such as increased noise and reduced dynamic range.
The camera system on the Magic 6 Pro extends beyond the periscope marvel, featuring a 50MP “Eagle Eye” main camera with a variable aperture ranging from f/1.4 to f/2.0. In addition, a dedicated 50MP camera takes charge of ultrawide snaps and macro shots. Flip to the front, and you’ll find a distinctive pill-shaped cutout hosting a 50MP camera and a 3D Time-of-Flight (ToF) sensor, contributing to advanced 3D face unlock capabilities.
Complementing its impressive camera capabilities, the Magic 6 Pro boasts a range of high-end specifications. These include an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset for robust performance, a 6.8-inch FHD+ 120Hz OLED screen for a visually immersive experience, and a substantial 5,600mAh battery to keep the device powered throughout the day. Furthermore, the phone supports 80W wired charging and 66W wireless charging, ensuring rapid and convenient replenishment of the battery.
Introducing the Magic OS 8.0 Android skin, HONOR enhances the user experience with several notable features. Among them are environment-based call volume adjustments, content-sharing capabilities through a sidebar, a unique interpretation of Apple’s Standby Mode, and innovative eye-tracking technology for handling certain notifications.
In parallel, HONOR has also introduced a standard Magic 6 variant, which makes certain compromises to cater to a lower price point. The triple rear camera system includes a 50MP f/1.9 main camera (fixed aperture), a 32MP 2.5x telephoto camera, and a 50MP ultrawide lens. The device features a slightly smaller 5,450mAh battery, along with slower charging (66W wired/50W wireless). Notable omissions in the standard variant include the absence of a 3D ToF camera and 3D face unlock, as well as the exclusion of eye-tracking capabilities. However, it retains key features such as the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, an FHD+ LTPO OLED screen measuring 6.78 inches, and the Magic OS 8.0 software.
As of now, the HONOR Magic 6 series is available in China. The Magic 6 Pro is priced at 5,699 yuan (~$802) for the base 12GB/256GB model, while the 16GB/1TB model commands a price of 6,699 yuan (~$943). These devices showcase HONOR’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation in the smartphone industry.
