Honor Magic8 Pro vs. Google Pixel 8 Pro: A Deep Dive into Flagship Android

The Honor Magic8 Pro and Google Pixel 8 Pro represent distinct philosophies in the Android flagship space. The Magic8 Pro aggressively pursues raw performance with Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, while the Pixel 8 Pro doubles down on Google’s AI capabilities and computational photography. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing peak performance and ultra-fast charging, the Honor Magic8 Pro is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 offers a significant speed advantage. However, the Google Pixel 8 Pro excels in camera versatility and AI-powered features, making it ideal for photography enthusiasts and those deeply integrated into the Google ecosystem.

PHONES
Phone Names Honor Magic8 Pro Google Pixel 8 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bandsLTE1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71 - G1MNW
5G bandsSA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78, 257, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - G1MNW
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2025, October 152023, October 04
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, October 23Available. Released 2023, October 12
Body
BuildGlass front (NanoCrystal Shield), fiber-reinforced plastic backGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame
Dimensions161.2 x 75 x 8.3 mm (6.35 x 2.95 x 0.33 in)162.6 x 76.5 x 8.8 mm (6.40 x 3.01 x 0.35 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) - International· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM - ChinaNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight219 g (7.72 oz)213 g (7.51 oz)
Display
ProtectionNanoCrystal Shield (INT); Giant Rhino Glass (China)Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Resolution1256 x 2808 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~458 ppi density)1344 x 2992 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~489 ppi density)
Size6.71 inches, 108.3 cm2 (~89.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 108.7 cm2 (~87.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 4320Hz PWM, Dolby Vision, HDR Vivid, 1800 nits (HBM), 6000 nits (peak)LTPO OLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1600 nits (HBM), 2400 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x4.6 GHz Oryon V3 Phoenix L + 6x3.62 GHz Oryon V3 Phoenix M)Nona-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X3 & 4x2.45 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x2.15 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm)Google Tensor G3 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 840Immortalis-G715s MC10
OSAndroid 16, up to 7 major Android upgrades, MagicOS 10Android 14, upgradable to Android 16, up to 7 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panoramaMulti-zone Laser AF, Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Ultra-HDR, panorama, Best Take, Zoom Enhance
Triple50 MP, f/1.6, 23mm (wide), 1/1.3", 1.2µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 200 MP, f/2.6, 85mm (periscope telephoto), 1/1.4", 0.56µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS, 3.7x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.0, 12mm, 122˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.88", 0.61µm, dual pixel PDAF50 MP, f/1.7, 25mm (wide), 1/1.31", 1.2µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 48 MP, f/2.8, 113mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.55", 0.7µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 48 MP, f/2.0, 126˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, dual pixel PDAF
Video4K@24/30/60/120fps, 1080p@24/30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS, OIS, HDR, 10-bit video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@24/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, OIS, 10-bit HDR
Selfie camera
Features-HDR, panorama
Single50 MP, f/2.0, 21mm (wide), 1/2.93", 0.6µm, PDAF TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)10.5 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.22µm, PDAF
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with large amplitude stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth6.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LHDC 5, Auracast, ASHA5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a+B2b), GALILEO (E1+E5a+E5b), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L1+L5), GLONASSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.2, DisplayPort 1.2, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-band or tri-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, thermometer (skin temperature)
Battery
Charging100W wired (Global) 120W wired, 100W PPS, 40W UFCS (China) 80W wireless Reverse wireless 5W reverse wired30W wired, PD3.0, PPS, 50% in 30 min 23W wireless Reverse wireless Bypass charging
TypeSi/C Li-Ion 7100 mAh (Global); 6270 mAh (Europe); 7200 mAh (China)Li-Ion 5050 mAh
Misc
ColorsSunrise Gold, Sky Cyan, Black, WhiteObsidian, Porcelain, Bay, Mint
ModelsBKQ-N49, BKQ-AN90, BKQ-AN10GC3VE, G1MNW
PriceAbout 960 EUR€ 362.00 / $ 289.97 / £ 329.95 / ₹ 54,999

Honor Magic8 Pro

  • Blazing-fast Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor
  • Ultra-fast 100W+ wired and 80W wireless charging
  • Potential for superior gaming performance

  • Camera performance needs to match Pixel 8 Pro
  • Software support may not be as extensive as Google’s

Google Pixel 8 Pro

  • Exceptional camera system with AI enhancements
  • Long-term software support and updates from Google
  • Excellent battery life and efficient display

  • Tensor G3 processor lags behind Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 in raw power
  • Slower charging speeds compared to Honor Magic8 Pro

Display Comparison

The Google Pixel 8 Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 1600 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the Magic8 Pro’s display specs aren’t provided, Honor typically employs high-quality OLED panels. The Pixel 8 Pro’s LTPO technology dynamically adjusts the refresh rate for improved efficiency, a feature likely present on the Magic8 Pro as well given its flagship status. The Pixel 8 Pro’s color accuracy is renowned, and the Magic8 Pro will need to match this to compete.

Camera Comparison

The Pixel 8 Pro is celebrated for its computational photography prowess, leveraging Google’s AI algorithms for exceptional image processing. While specific sensor details aren’t provided for the Magic8 Pro, the Pixel 8 Pro’s camera system is a known quantity, excelling in dynamic range and low-light performance. The Pixel 8 Pro’s video capabilities are also top-tier. The Magic8 Pro will need to deliver comparable image quality and features to challenge Google’s dominance in this area. The absence of a dedicated telephoto lens specification for the Magic8 Pro is a potential weakness.

Performance

The Honor Magic8 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, built on a 3nm process, is a powerhouse. Its octa-core CPU, featuring Oryon V3 Phoenix cores clocked up to 4.6 GHz, promises substantial performance gains over the Pixel 8 Pro’s Google Tensor G3 (4nm). The Tensor G3’s nona-core configuration (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X3, 4x2.45 GHz Cortex-A715, 4x2.15 GHz Cortex-A510) focuses on AI tasks, but lags behind in raw CPU and GPU power. The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5’s superior architecture and process node translate to better sustained performance and thermal efficiency, crucial for extended gaming sessions. The Magic8 Pro’s LPDDR5x RAM will further enhance its responsiveness.

Battery Life

The Google Pixel 8 Pro achieves an impressive 11:14h of active use and an endurance rating of 90 hours, demonstrating excellent battery life. The Honor Magic8 Pro compensates with significantly faster charging speeds: 100W wired (globally), up to 120W in China, 80W wireless, and even 5W reverse wired charging. The Pixel 8 Pro offers 30W wired charging with 50% charge in 30 minutes and 23W wireless. While the Pixel 8 Pro’s battery endurance is strong, the Magic8 Pro’s charging speed is a game-changer for users who need to quickly top up their device.

Buying Guide

Buy the Honor Magic8 Pro if you need uncompromising processing power for demanding tasks like gaming or video editing, and value the convenience of incredibly fast 100W+ wired and 80W wireless charging. Buy the Google Pixel 8 Pro if you prioritize a best-in-class camera experience, seamless integration with Google services, and long-term software support with a focus on AI-driven features.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Honor Magic8 Pro’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 generate excessive heat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5’s 3nm process and advanced thermal management features are designed to mitigate heat generation. While some heat is inevitable during intensive tasks, the Magic8 Pro should offer better sustained performance than previous generation flagships due to improved thermal efficiency.
❓ What are the benefits of the Google Pixel 8 Pro’s ‘Bypass Charging’ feature?
Bypass Charging allows the Pixel 8 Pro to draw power directly from the charger, rather than the battery, when plugged in. This reduces heat buildup and battery degradation, extending the overall lifespan of the battery.
❓ How does the AI processing on the Google Tensor G3 impact everyday usage beyond camera features?
The Tensor G3 powers features like Live Translate, Magic Eraser in Google Photos, and improved voice assistant responsiveness. It also enhances on-device machine learning for personalized experiences and improved security.
❓ Is the 80W wireless charging on the Honor Magic8 Pro compatible with all Qi wireless chargers?
While the Magic8 Pro supports Qi wireless charging, achieving the full 80W requires a compatible charger that supports the UFCS standard. Standard Qi chargers will likely offer slower charging speeds.