Honor's Magic8 Pro smartphone reached fifth place in DxOMark's camera rankings this week, displacing Google's Pixel 10 Pro XL from the top tier. The device scored 165 points in DxOMark's comprehensive camera evaluation, securing its position behind the Vivo X200 Ultra, Apple iPhone 17 Pro, Oppo Find X9 Ultra, and Huawei Pura 80 Ultra.
The Magic8 Pro launched in the UK earlier this month and will expand to European markets soon. Honor's camera flagship now sits in fifth place, while its predecessor, the Magic6 Pro, claimed the top position in DxOMark's 2024 rankings. The current ranking reflects intense competition in 2025's premium smartphone segment.
DxOMark's detailed scoring reveals the Magic8 Pro performs consistently across test categories without dominating any single area. The device's 154-point video score places it 15th in dedicated video rankings, where Apple's iPhone 17 Pro maintains clear leadership. This video performance gap represents Honor's primary area for improvement.
The Magic8 Pro features a triple-camera system with 50MP main and ultrawide sensors plus a 200MP telephoto lens. Honor claims the telephoto sensor represents the largest 200MP unit in any production phone, though its 3.7x optical zoom trails competitors' longer-range capabilities. AI-enhanced processing extends usable zoom to 10x with maintained detail.
Camera comparisons show the Magic8 Pro outperforms Google's Pixel 10 Pro XL in several scenarios. In beach scenes, Honor's device delivers superior lighting and color accuracy compared to both iPhone 17 Pro Max and Pixel competitors. The ultrawide camera captures notably wider and brighter images than OnePlus 15's equivalent system.
Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor powers the Magic8 Pro with 12GB RAM and 512GB storage. Benchmark testing reveals performance slightly behind OnePlus 15's identical chipset configuration but significantly ahead of Pixel 10 Pro XL's Tensor G5 processor. The device handles demanding games like Destiny Rising at maximum graphics settings.
Battery performance varies by region due to regulatory differences. Global models feature a 7,100 mAh battery that lost just 11% during three hours of YouTube streaming, matching OnePlus 15's industry-leading endurance. European versions carry a smaller 6,270 mAh cell, approximately 12% reduced capacity.
Charging capabilities include 100W wired charging that reaches 39% in 15 minutes, 70% in 30 minutes, and full charge in 50 minutes. Honor also includes 80W wireless charging support. The device carries IP68, IP69, and IP69K certifications for comprehensive dust and water resistance.
Design elements include a 6.7-inch OLED display capable of 6,000 nits HDR brightness and 1,800 nits standard brightness. The screen features 4320Hz PWM dimming for reduced eye strain and a "micro-curved" edge design approaching flat panel aesthetics. A pill-shaped front cutout houses secure facial recognition technology.
Honor joins the AI button trend with a capacitive side button that activates AI services based on screen content and functions as a camera zoom control. The Android 16-based MagicOS 10 software offers seven years of full updates, matching Google and Samsung's flagship support commitments.
Pricing remains unconfirmed for most markets, though UK pricing suggests approximately £1,099 positioning. The Magic8 Pro arrives just before Samsung's Galaxy S26 series launch, creating direct competition in Europe's premium Android segment. U.S. availability remains limited to import channels.
Camera software includes AI-powered editing tools for erasing, outpainting, upscaling, and Magic Color grading that applies color templates between images. Honor's Deepfake Detection system now works in video conferences, flagging multiple faces or voices as potential imitations.
The Magic8 Pro's global launch timing places it against established competitors including Pixel 10 Pro XL, OnePlus 15, and upcoming Galaxy S26 models. While U.S. buyers face import challenges, European consumers gain another compelling option in the competitive flagship Android market.
