Rumors about which company will be the first to release a smartphone powered by the new Snapdragon 8 Elite processor have been swirling for weeks. Initially, Xiaomi seemed to be leading the race with its upcoming Xiaomi 15 Pro, but recent leaks suggest that OnePlus is also in the running. However, Honor has officially entered the competition, announcing the launch date for its Magic 7 series smartphones.
Honor Confirms Magic 7 Series Launch Date
Honor recently took to Weibo to reveal details about two major events happening in October. The first event, scheduled for October 23rd, will introduce MagicOS 9.0, Honor’s new operating system based on Android 15. The teaser highlights an AI-focused theme with the tagline “witness the magic of AI,” indicating that artificial intelligence will play a key role in this update.
The more exciting announcement is the official confirmation that the Magic 7 series will launch on October 30th. This makes Honor the first brand to announce a phone powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip. However, it’s worth noting that this doesn’t necessarily mean Honor will be the first to release it, as Xiaomi, OnePlus, or other competitors might launch their Snapdragon 8 Elite-powered phones sooner.
Snapdragon 8 Elite Chipset Race
Qualcomm is set to officially unveil the Snapdragon 8 Elite on October 21st. Recent reports suggest that several flagship devices featuring the new chipset could launch as early as October 28th. This leaves room for Xiaomi or OnePlus to potentially beat Honor to the market, despite Honor’s early announcement.
Expected Honor Magic 7 Series Specifications
Leaks suggest the Magic 7 series will consist of two models: the Magic 7 and the Magic 7 Pro. Both models are expected to be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC and will likely share several key features.
Camera Setup
The Magic 7 series is rumored to feature a triple camera setup on the rear. The main camera will reportedly be a 50MP Omnivision OV50H sensor, accompanied by a 50MP periscope telephoto lens, possibly the Sony IMX882, and a third sensor that could either be 50MP or an impressive 200MP (Samsung HP3). This camera configuration would offer users a robust and versatile photography experience.
Display and Connectivity
Both models will feature OLED screens, with the Magic 7 Pro boasting a 2K resolution display, while the standard Magic 7 is expected to offer a 1.5K resolution. In addition to these display differences, the Magic 7 Pro is rumored to come with satellite connectivity support, adding a useful feature for users in remote areas.
Additional Features
Other rumored features include:
- IP68 water resistance
- Ultrasonic fingerprint sensor
- 2D face recognition
- Honor’s enhanced eye protection 3.0 for a more comfortable viewing experience
AI Agent Integration
At this year’s IFA Berlin event, Honor confirmed that the Magic 7 series will introduce an AI Agent, a personal AI assistant designed to adapt to user habits and environmental conditions. This AI assistant will intelligently automate tasks across various apps and services, making the Magic 7 series more intuitive and user-friendly.
As we approach the official launch dates for Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite and Honor’s Magic 7 series, the competition among major smartphone brands is heating up. Honor’s early announcement positions them as a serious contender in the Snapdragon 8 Elite race, but Xiaomi and OnePlus may still release their devices first. Either way, the Magic 7 series is shaping up to be a highly anticipated release with powerful cameras, cutting-edge displays, and advanced AI capabilities.
