Honor is making a renewed aggressive play for the smartphone market, delivering a one-two punch that caters to both premium power users and bargain hunters. While the brand has launched a “proper flagship” intended to rival the biggest names in the industry, aggressive sales on their mid-range lineup are simultaneously offering high-end specs at a fraction of the cost.
The Flagship Contender: Magic 8 Pro
The newly reviewed Honor Magic 8 Pro is positioning itself as a legitimate threat to the dominance of Samsung and Apple. For those familiar with the Magic Pro lineage, this performance tier isn’t shocking, but the execution here is notably refined. The company hasn’t cut corners, delivering a device that feels like a complete package rather than a collection of disparate parts.
The hardware story is headlined by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, a 3nm chipset that currently stands as the fastest on the Android market. Honor has paired this with a massive 6,270 mAh silicon-carbon battery, a significant step up from the 5,270 mAh cell found in the previous Magic 7 Pro. Despite the battery increase, engineers managed to trim the device’s physical footprint; at 161.5mm tall and weighing 219 grams, it is actually lighter and slightly more compact than its predecessor.
Display and Imaging Prowess
The visual experience is driven by a 6.7-inch OLED panel boasting a 120Hz refresh rate. In testing, this screen proved to be one of the brightest we’ve seen, scoring a 9 out of 10 in display quality.
On the back, the camera array is designed to turn heads. The system features a 50MP main sensor with OIS and a variable aperture, alongside a 50MP ultrawide lens. However, the star of the show is the upgraded 200MP periscope telephoto lens. With a focal length of 85mm and 3.7x optical zoom, it offers a marked improvement over the 3.0x zoom found on the Magic 7 Pro. The system leans heavily on new AI tricks to enhance focus and low-light performance.
That said, it isn’t perfect. The ultrawide camera didn’t impress quite as much as the other sensors, and the device carries a different battery specification depending on the region, which can be confusing for global buyers.
The Price of Admission
This level of hardware commands a premium. Priced around €1,100, the Magic 8 Pro is a significant investment. For US buyers, the hurdle is even higher; without official carrier support, you’re forced to hunt for unlocked global versions on third-party retailers like Amazon or Newegg. But for those willing to pay the price, the phone promises seven years of support and performance that scores 8.6% better than the average for its price class—beating out competitors like the Pixel 10 Pro and Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE.
A Budget Alternative: The Honor 400 Pro Deal
If dropping over a thousand dollars on a smartphone is out of the question, a new promotion has surfaced that offers a compelling alternative. The Honor 400 Pro, a 5G handset that sits just below the ultra-premium tier, is currently seeing a sharp price reduction via AliExpress.
Running from February 9 through February 14—timed for Valentine’s Day—the device is listed at a reduced price of €428.26. Savvy buyers can drive that price down further to €383.26 by utilizing promo codes DEHEISSE45 or CNYDE45.
High Specs for the Price
Despite the lower price point, the Honor 400 Pro is no slouch. It runs on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3—a highly capable processor that, while older than the Elite Gen 5 in the Magic 8 Pro, still offers tremendous power for gaming and multitasking. It comes equipped with 12GB of RAM and runs on Magic OS 9.0.
The device mirrors some of the flagship’s best traits, including a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate and high peak brightness. The camera system is also robust, featuring a 200-megapixel main sensor backed by AI, capable of shooting 4K video at 60fps.
Powering the unit is a substantial 6,000 mAh battery that supports 100W wired charging, ensuring downtime is kept to a minimum. The phone also includes modern necessities like eSIM support, 5G connectivity, and a full suite of biometric security features.
Import Considerations
The AliExpress deal notes that products are shipped from EU warehouses, often directly via European retailers, which generally means free shipping and a 90-day return window. However, US buyers should remain aware that purchasing international models can sometimes complicate warranty claims compared to buying domestic stock.
While the Magic 8 Pro represents the absolute ceiling of what Honor can achieve technically, the discounted 400 Pro highlights the brand’s ability to deliver flagship-adjacent specs at a mid-range price point. Both deals, however, come with the caveat of limited availability, meaning interested buyers need to act fast before stock—or the sale timer—runs out.
