Mobilawy

Honor Magic Unveiled Specs Prices & ProsCons

Release Date
2016, December
Camera
12MP
Battery
2900mAh
Battery Type
40W
Processor
Kirin 950
Screen
5.09"
Storage
64GB
Ram
4GB RAM
Operating System
Android 6.0, Magic Live UI

Design and Build

The Honor Magic boasts a minimalist and elegant design, highlighted by its slim dimensions of 146.1 x 69.9 x 7.8 mm and weight of 145 grams. The device feels solid yet lightweight in the hand, making it comfortable for prolonged use. The phone is available in two color variants: Golden Black and Porcelain White, catering to both more traditional as well as bold, modern aesthetics.

Display

The smartphone features a vivid AMOLED display that measures 5.09 inches, offering immersive visual experiences. The resolution stands at 1440 x 2560 pixels with a 16:9 aspect ratio, resulting in an impressive pixel density of approximately 577 ppi. These specifications enable sharp and crystal-clear images and videos, which makes viewing high-definition content a delight. The AMOLED technology ensures vibrant colors and deep contrasts.

Performance

Under the hood, the Honor Magic is powered by the Kirin 950 chipset, built on a 16 nm process. It's an octa-core processor, including four high-performing Cortex-A72 cores clocked at 2.3 GHz and four efficient Cortex-A53 cores at 1.8 GHz. This setup ensures a balance between performance and power efficiency, handling multitasking and demanding applications with relative ease. The Mali-T880 MP4 GPU further complements the CPU for enhanced graphics performance, suitable for casual gaming and multimedia tasks.

Memory and Storage

The device comes with an ample 4GB RAM, which supports smooth multitasking and app-switching experiences. Internal storage is fixed at 64GB, which should be sufficient for average users to store applications, photos, and videos. However, the absence of a memory card slot might be a limitation for users needing extra storage, highlighting the importance of efficient space management.

Camera Capabilities

The dual camera setup on the back comprises two 12 MP sensors with f/2.2 aperture and phase detection autofocus (PDAF), one of which captures RGB color data and the other monochrome (B/W) data. This combination enhances photo quality, allowing for detailed, low-noise images with good dynamic range and accurate color reproduction. The camera features dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, and HDR modes, ensuring versatility in photography. It supports 1080p video recording at 30fps. For selfies, the Honor Magic is equipped with an 8 MP front camera featuring an f/2.0 aperture, also capable of shooting 1080p video.

Battery Life and Charging

The phone is powered by a non-removable Li-Ion 2900 mAh battery. While not the largest battery capacity on the market, the efficiency of the hardware components allows for a full day of moderate use on a single charge. A standout feature is the 40W fast charging that the device supports, capable of charging the phone up to 90% in just 30 minutes, significantly reducing downtime.

Software and User Interface

Running on Android 6.0 Marshmallow with Magic Live UI, the Honor Magic offers a user-friendly interface enriched with features specifically designed to enhance user interaction. Customizable from performance tweaks to aesthetic changes, the user interface is intuitive, making the process of navigating through apps and features seamless.

Network and Connectivity

The Honor Magic supports a wide range of network bands, including GSM, CDMA, HSPA, and LTE, ensuring comprehensive coverage and compatibility across various regions. With HSPA speeds of up to 42.2/5.76 Mbps and LTE Cat6 speeds of 300/50 Mbps, users can expect swift mobile internet access. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac with dual-band support, Bluetooth 4.2 with A2DP, EDR, LE features, and a USB Type-C port for charging and data transfer. Other features include GPS with GLONASS and BDS for accurate positioning and NFC capability, broadening the scope of everyday convenience through mobile payments and file sharing. Additionally, the phone offers FM radio and supports OTG (On-The-Go).

Unique Features and Sensors

The Honor Magic integrates several sensors that enhance the user experience and device functionality: a fingerprint sensor mounted at the front ensures security while also providing quick access to the phone. It is equipped with accelerometer, gyro, proximity, and compass sensors, making it adaptable to various applications from gaming to navigation and augmented reality experiences.

Price and Availability

Launched in December 2016, the Honor Magic carried a price tag of about 350 EUR, reflecting its premium features and build quality at the time of release. The device has since been discontinued but remains an important part of Honor's lineage of innovative smartphones. Consumers looking for a balance between performance and design might consider the Honor Magic as a classic choice, though availability might now be limited to second-hand markets.

Main Features of Honor Magic

  • AMOLED display for vibrant colors and deep contrast.
  • High screen resolution of 1440 x 2560 pixels for sharp visuals.
  • Powered by Kirin 950 chipset with Octa-core CPU for efficient performance.
  • Dual 12 MP rear cameras with features like dual-LED flash, panorama, and HDR.
  • 8 MP front camera for quality selfies.
  • 64GB internal storage paired with 4GB RAM for smooth multitasking.
  • Fast charging support: 40W wired charging reaching 90% in 30 minutes (advertised).
  • Dual SIM functionality with wide network compatibility.
  • USB Type-C port with OTG support for easy connectivity.
  • Front-mounted fingerprint sensor for added security.
  • Support for NFC, GPS, GLONASS, and BDS for comprehensive navigation options.

Drawbacks of Honor Magic

  • Lack of storage expandability: No card slot available to increase storage capacity.
  • Outdated operating system: Comes with Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) which may not support newer apps and features.
  • Discontinued status: The device has been discontinued, which could pose challenges in terms of support and service.
  • Relatively small battery capacity: 2900 mAh may not be sufficient for heavy usage throughout the day.
  • Limited screen-to-body ratio: The display covers only approximately 69.9% of the front panel.
  • No 5G support: Only supports up to 4G LTE networks.
  • Single variant available: Limited choice with only 64GB internal storage and 4GB RAM.
Network
Technology GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
2G bands GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only)
3G bands HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 & TD-SCDMA
4G bands 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 19, 38, 39, 40, 41
Speed HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps
Launch
Announced 2016, December. Released 2016, December
Status Discontinued
Body
Dimensions 146.1 x 69.9 x 7.8 mm (5.75 x 2.75 x 0.31 in)
Weight 145 g (5.11 oz)
SIM Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
Display
Type AMOLED
Size 5.09 inches, 71.4 cm2 (~69.9% screen-to-body ratio)
Resolution 1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~577 ppi density)
Platform
OS Android 6.0 (Marshmallow), Magic Live UI
Chipset Kirin 950 (16 nm)
CPU Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A72 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex A53)
GPU Mali-T880 MP4
Memory
Card slot No
Internal 64GB 4GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual 12 MP, f/2.2, PDAF 12 MP B/W, f/2.2, PDAF
Features Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR
Video 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single 8 MP, f/2.0
Video 1080p@30fps
Sound
Loudspeaker Yes
3.5mm jack Yes
Comms
WLAN Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Bluetooth 4.2, A2DP, EDR, LE
Positioning GPS, GLONASS, BDS
NFC Yes
Radio FM radio
USB USB Type-C, OTG
Features
Sensors Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Type Li-Ion 2900 mAh, non-removable
Charging 40W wired, 90% in 30 min (advertised)
Misc
Colors Golden Black, Porcelain White
Models NTS-AL00
Price About 350 EUR

All Rights Reserved +13619 Phones © Mobilawy 2025