Honor Magic 6 Pro Review: Is It Worth Buying? (2024)

You don’t see a variable-aperture camera on most phones. The Honor Magic 6 Pro takes that risk, combines it with a new battery tech, and asks whether you should trust a brand still proving its independence.

Release date: January 2024 ·
Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 ·
Battery: 5600 mAh ·
Display: 6.8-inch OLED, 4320Hz PWM ·
Main camera: 50 MP f/1.4-2.0 + 180 MP periscope + 50 MP ultrawide ·
Weight: 229 g

Here is a quick summary of the key specifications.

Is the Honor Magic 6 Pro any good?

Seven specs, one pattern: Honor stuffed flagship hardware into a body that weighs 229g, then bet everything on two differentiators — battery chemistry and a variable aperture camera.

Performance and camera quality

• Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 delivers top-tier performance (NanoReview).
• 180 MP periscope camera with 2.5x optical zoom (GSMArena).
• Variable aperture lens (f/1.4-2.0) adapts to light conditions — a rarity outside some older Huawei flagships.

In testing, the periscope zoom resolves detail that the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s 200MP sensor doesn’t match at equivalent ranges. NanoReview gives the Honor an edge in zoom clarity.

Battery life and display

• 5600 mAh battery lasts over a day (GSMArena).
• 6.8-inch OLED with 4320Hz PWM dimming for eye comfort (NanoReview).
• The lithium-silicon battery packs roughly 20% more capacity in the same volume as a traditional lithium-ion cell (PhoneArena).

The trade-off: the phone is heavy (229g). That extra mass buys 28:35 hours of battery life in NanoReview’s test — 8% longer than the Galaxy S24 Ultra.

Software and ecosystem

• MagicOS based on Android 14 (GSMArena).
• Full Google Mobile Services support — no Huawei HMS here.
• Honor commits to 2 major OS upgrades (less than Samsung’s 4-7 year pledge).

The implication: buyers who keep phones 3+ years lose software support sooner. Samsung’s longer update window becomes a real cost advantage over time.

What this means: frequent upgraders capture the hardware advantage, while long-term owners absorb the software risk.

Is the Honor Magic 6 Pro the best value flagship on the market?

Three comparisons, one question: does a lower price plus better battery justify the trade-offs in software support and brand trust?

How does it compare to the Galaxy S24 Ultra?

Here is a side-by-side comparison of the two flagships.

• Pricing is typically £200-300 lower than Galaxy S24 Ultra.
• Equivalent or better camera hardware (180MP periscope vs 50MP periscope on S24 Ultra).
• Larger battery (5600 vs 5000 mAh).
• Higher charging speeds (80W wired, 66W wireless vs 45W wired, 15W wireless) (NanoReview).

The pattern: Honor matches or beats Samsung on hardware specs at a lower price, but trails on the intangibles — software updates, brand ecosystem, resale value.

What features justify the price?

• In-display fingerprint sensor and IP68 rating (assumed, not formally certified).
• LTPO display with 4320Hz PWM — class-leading eye comfort.
• Second-gen lithium-silicon battery technology (PhoneArena).

Value for money assessment

For photographers and power users who value battery over software longevity, the Magic 6 Pro delivers more raw capability per pound. For the typical user who keeps a phone 3-4 years, Samsung’s longer support narrows the gap.

The catch: Honor’s resale market is thinner. A Magic 6 Pro bought at £899 may be worth less in 2 years than an S24 Ultra bought at £1149.

What are the cons of buying the Honor Magic 6 Pro?

Three drawbacks, one theme: hardware excellence undercut by software and trust gaps.

Missing features and drawbacks

• No official water resistance rating (IP68 not confirmed) (GSMArena).
• Heavy build at 229g (GSMArena).
• Curved screen may cause accidental touches.
• No charger in box in some markets.

Software update policy

• Limited software update commitment (2 major OS updates) (NanoReview).
• MagicOS may include bloatware.
• Security patch frequency less predictable than Samsung.

Availability and carrier support

• Not sold directly by major US carriers.
• Limited warranty and support infrastructure outside China and Europe.
• Spare parts availability uncertain for long-term ownership.

For buyers on Three UK or Vodafone, the Honor works on network but won’t get carrier-specific software features or VoLTE optimization guarantees.

The pattern: hardware strength is undercut by a software and certification gap that long-term owners should not ignore.

How old is the Honor Magic 6 Pro?

Five milestones, one arc: from Huawei sub-brand to independent challenger.

The implication: the Magic 6 Pro’s software lifespan already trails Samsung, a key factor for buyers planning to keep the phone beyond 2026.

Are Honor and Huawei the same?

Two questions, one answer: no — but the confusion is understandable.

History of the Honor-Huawei split

• Honor was a sub-brand of Huawei until November 2020.
• Sold to a consortium of investors (including Shenzhen Smart City Technology Group) to bypass US sanctions.
• Now operates as an independent company with its own supply chain and software.

Current ownership and independence

• Uses Google Mobile Services (not HMS).
• Qualcomm processors (Snapdragon 8 Gen 3) — not Kirin.
• Separate manufacturing and supply chain from Huawei.

Trust and security concerns

• Security features like HONOR Secure Phone and regular patches (Honor (official manufacturer)).
• No evidence of data-sharing with Huawei since split.
• However, brand perception still lags — some buyers associate Honor with Huawei’s US sanctions issues.

The pattern: technically independent, but the brand association lingers. For privacy-conscious buyers in the UK and EU, Honor’s use of Google services and Snapdragon chips should satisfy most concerns.

“Innovative but inconsistent” — praising the display and camera while noting software quirks.

WIRED review of Honor Magic 6 Pro

“The best value flagship on the market” — emphasizing price-to-performance ratio.

Honor official product marketing

What this comes down to: Honor has shed its Huawei legacy in hardware but still works to overcome the trust gap. For buyers who value specs over brand history, the Magic 6 Pro delivers.

Related reading: Apple iPhone 17 Release Date · Galaxy S25 Live Effect Photo

For a detailed breakdown of specs and performance, check out this Honor Magic 6 Pro review from another outlet.

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