Honor Pits Magic8 Pro Against iPhone 17 Pro in Bold Night Photography Challenge

Honor is once again stepping into the spotlight with bold confidence, setting the stage for the official debut of its Magic8 and Magic8 Pro on October 15. In the lead-up, the company has unveiled Hong Kong star Nicholas Tse as its new ‘Future Technology Experience Officer’, a title that perfectly captures the brand’s attempt to merge creativity, performance, and innovation. Known as an actor, singer, martial artist, entrepreneur, and even a celebrity chef, Tse embodies the spirit of continuous reinvention – a message Honor wants tied directly to the philosophy behind its new Magic8 lineup.

According to Honor, the Magic8 Pro is designed around an idea of ‘self-evolving intelligence’, where its AI doesn’t just assist but grows alongside the user.

The device is built to understand habits, anticipate needs, and optimize itself – a claim that reflects the growing ambition among Chinese smartphone manufacturers to redefine what “smart” really means. To show off its potential, Honor released a cinematic promotional video comparing the Magic8 Pro to Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro in a challenging high-altitude night photography test from a helicopter. Unsurprisingly, the company’s own footage suggests that its flagship easily outshines Apple’s latest in low-light clarity and detail – though many viewers see it as a marketing move rather than a scientific comparison.

Still, the hardware speaks for itself: a 50 MP main camera, another 50 MP ultra-wide lens, and a 200 MP periscope telephoto with 85mm focal length, f/2.6 aperture, and a sizable 1/1.4-inch sensor. These specs suggest that Honor isn’t just chasing Apple’s spotlight but aiming to dominate it. Yet skepticism remains – many users have complained in the past about the Magic series’ tendency toward overprocessed, overly sharp AI images. The question now is whether Honor has finally refined its algorithms enough to deliver natural results. In any case, the comparison with the iPhone 17 Pro sets a clear message: Honor wants to be seen not merely as another Chinese brand, but as a true global contender.