Honor has revealed its latest Android phone, the Honor Magic 2, driving screen bezels to their very minimum and doing so without having to resort to a notch.
Honor has revealed its latest Android phone, the Honor Magic 2, driving screen bezels to their very minimum and doing so without having to resort to a notch. The newest device from Huawei’s youth-obsessed sub-brand, the Magic 2 relies on a retractable camera section to avoid a screen cut-out.
It leaves the front of the smartphone almost entirely dominated by a 6.39-inch AMOLED screen. That runs at 2340 x 1080 resolution.
Since you probably still want a selfie camera, the Magic 2 snaps open to reveal a 16-megapixel triple-lens front camera. That combines a 16-megapixel sensor with two further 2-megapixel sensors. On the back, meanwhile, there’s another trio of cameras: 24-megapixels, 16-megapixels, and 16-megapixels.
The 24-megapixel camera captures monochrome data, while one of the 16-megapixel sensors combines that with color data. The third camera has a color ultra-wide-angle lens. There’s of course a portrait mode, and Honor says the Magic 2’s AI can differentiate between more than 60 subject categories to adjust the scene settings automatically.
The fingerprint sensor is integrated into the display, but there’s also facial unlocking. Honor says that uses 3D scanning, so as to be more secure than earlier systems.
Inside, it’s all powered by Huawei’s Kirin 980 processor, just as you’d find in the Mate 20 Pro. It’s paired with either 6GB or 8GB of RAM, along with either 128GB or 256GB of storage. The battery clocks in at 3,400 mAh, and there’s 40W SuperCharge with a compatible charger. That can add up to 50-percent battery charge in 15 minutes, or 85-percent in 30 minutes.
Unfortunately, while Honor found room for the sliding mechanism and six cameras, the Magic 2 couldn’t quite accommodate a 3.5mm headphone jack. Instead, you’ll need to use a USB-C adapter. There’s no wireless charging option, either.
As for other wireless technologies, there’s dual SIM dual VoLTE, 1.7 Gbps WiFi support with compatible routers, and upgraded GPS which Honor says should deliver more accuracy even in urban canyons. The 157.32 x 75.13 x 8.3 mm, 206 gram phone is clad in glass front and back. It’ll be offered in red, black, and blue finishes.
Sales of the Honor Magic 2 will kick off from November 6. It’ll be offered in three configurations: with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, at the equivalent of $548; with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, at $620; and finally 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, at $693. Unfortunately there’s no word on availability outside of China at this point.
