Honor’s Magic 8 Pro Introduces Dedicated AI Button and Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
Key Points
- Honor reveals Magic 8 Pro design with a flat back and side AI button.
- Device will run on Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset.
- Rear camera module likely includes a 200‑megapixel main sensor with 85mm‑equivalent focal length and f/2.6 aperture.
- A ToF sensor is expected for depth detection.
- New AI software feature called Magic Color enables color‑palette‑based image and video restyling.
- Launch slated for China next month, with later European release typical for Pro models.
- Pro models historically price above €1,000 (around $1,200).
Honor has unveiled the design of its upcoming Magic 8 Pro flagship, confirming a dedicated AI button on the side of the device. The phone will launch in China next month and will be among the first smartphones powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset. The design mirrors the Magic 7 Pro but adds the AI button and a flat back. Honor also announced a new AI feature called Magic Color. The camera module appears to house a 200‑megapixel main sensor with an 85mm‑equivalent focal length and an f/2.6 aperture, plus a ToF depth sensor.
Design and New AI Button
Honor shared exclusive images of the Magic 8 Pro, revealing a design that closely resembles the previous Magic 7 Pro. The back of the phone is flat rather than subtly curved, and the side profile now includes an extra button alongside the fingerprint sensor and volume rocker. Honor describes this addition as a dedicated AI button, although the specific functions it will trigger have not been detailed.
Performance and Chipset
The Magic 8 Pro will be powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, the latest iteration of the company’s flagship mobile processor. Honor confirmed that the Magic 8 series will be among the first devices to adopt this chipset, positioning the phone as a high‑performance flagship for the upcoming launch period.
Camera System
The rear camera island appears to house four lenses, likely three primary sensors plus a Time‑of‑Flight (ToF) depth sensor. Honor’s chief marketing officer, Guo Rui, posted a sample taken with a 200‑megapixel sensor offering an 85mm‑equivalent focal length and an f/2.6 aperture. This suggests a more powerful telephoto capability compared to the Magic 7 Pro’s 72mm periscope lens.
AI Features
In addition to the hardware AI button, Honor announced a new software feature called Magic Color. This tool allows users to restyle images and videos by applying the color palette from a reference image, expanding the phone’s AI‑driven creative capabilities.
Market Position and Launch Plans
The Magic 8 Pro is expected to launch in China next month, following Honor’s typical pattern of releasing Pro models in the Chinese market before a later European rollout. While pricing details were not emphasized, the Pro line historically commands premium pricing, often exceeding €1,000 (around $1,200) in Europe.