Tag: Source: Bgr.com

**Honor Magic8 Pro Evaluation: Hardware Leader**

High-end Honor Magic smartphones have consistently delivered some of the finest Android experiences, and now Honor presents its latest ultra-flagship, the Honor Magic8 Pro. The Magic8 Pro adheres to the same strategy as prior Honor flagship devices, boasting hardware crafted to be the very best. It aims to compete with the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, with a corresponding price tag.

As in preceding years, Honor has invested significant effort into the camera hardware — a feature likely to differentiate this device from others within its price range. Additionally, unlike the Magic7 Pro, the Honor Magic8 Pro will be available in global markets. However, software has always posed a challenge for the Magic series — can the Magic8 Pro provide a comprehensive package?

**Design**

Honor continues to align with the design trends of the industry, and the Magic8 Pro presents a sleek, stylish, and premium appearance. Similar to its recent models, it features a large circular camera module on the back housing the camera sensor. It would be interesting for Honor to explore alternative designs for the camera bump in the future, but this is not a dealbreaker. It simply means the camera protrudes noticeably from the back.

When you hold the Magic8 Pro, it feels upscale. The front employs what Honor refers to as a NanoCrystal Shield, while the back showcases frosted glass that effectively resists fingerprints. The device is also remarkably resilient regarding dust and water, boasting IP68, IP69, and IP69K ratings — ensuring it can withstand most water or dust environments, including exposure to high-pressure water jets. Few smartphones can claim all three ratings — OnePlus is among the limited few doing so.

Color options include Sunrise Gold, Sky Cyan, Black, and White. I’ve been utilizing the Black version, which looks appealing but isn’t particularly thrilling. This “Black” variant leans closer to gray, adding a touch of intrigue without being overly flashy.

In terms of layout, it is fairly conventional. A USB-C port is located at the bottom, with volume and power buttons on the right side. Honor has also included a dedicated AI button on the right edge, positioned similarly to Apple’s Camera Control on newer iPhones. The placement can feel slightly awkward during regular use. A higher position, or the location of the iPhone’s Action Button, would have been more intuitive. I’ll elaborate on the functionality of this button in the software section. Overall, the Magic8 Pro looks and feels impressive. It exudes sophistication, feels luxurious, and can manage virtually anything you subject it to.

**Display**

The Magic8 Pro features a 6.71-inch LTPO OLED display with a 1256 x 2808 pixel resolution, which is exceptionally sharp. The refresh rate adapts from 1Hz to 120Hz based on the content displayed, enhancing a balance between smoothness and battery longevity. Honor has also integrated 4320Hz PWM dimming, making it easier on the eyes for those sensitive to lower dimming frequencies.

It boasts a high brightness level as well. Honor claims a peak brightness of 6,000 nits with HDR, and I had no trouble viewing content on the display even under direct sunlight. There is truly nothing lacking here. This display fulfills all the requirements expected from a flagship screen in 2025, matching or surpassing the offerings of competitors at the same price point. It is sharp, fluid, bright, and vivid.

**Performance**

At the core of this device is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 — the latest flagship Qualcomm processor. Constructed on a 3nm process, Honor asserts a 20% improvement in single-core CPU performance, a 23% enhancement on the GPU front, and a 37% increase for the NPU compared to the last generation. Regardless of the actual gains, the phone undoubtedly performed admirably.

I did not experience any stuttering or lag, maintaining smoothness and responsiveness regardless of my activities. Games loaded swiftly and functioned seamlessly, while switching between applications felt effortless.

Benchmarks validated the exceptional performance. Single-core performance positioned the Magic8 Pro at the forefront of its class. Multi-core results were also commendable, though slightly trailing some competitors with greater RAM. This minor difference is unlikely to impact real-world usage — this remains one of the fastest smartphones available today.

**Battery and Charging**

Housing the Magic8 Pro is a 7,100mAh silicon-carbon battery for international versions, although European models come with a smaller 6,270mAh cell due to regional regulations. In either case, battery life is outstanding. It easily lasts a full day, and lighter users might even manage to extend into a second day without much

purchasing new electronics, with Costco providing appealing benefits for members such as longer warranties, while Amazon tends to have a superior range of products.

Although holding both memberships would likely grant you the utmost flexibility when seeking new tech, not everyone has the budget for it. Therefore, you may need to evaluate the advantages of Costco and Amazon to determine which offers you the most significant value. Generally speaking, it comes down to whether you prefer the best deals on the broadest selection of products from Amazon or the post-purchase care benefits from Costco that help ensure your new acquisition remains functional for an extended period.

Android tablets). While each app listed below is available for free, they also offer a premium paid version if you prefer to upgrade, which may provide additional features. Make sure to include these apps in your essentials list, along with other free Android applications to have on your device. These are the top seven free Android apps that can help streamline your daily routine.

gadgets that can assist in enhancing your home’s security, as well as essential smart home security devices, like motion sensors, that nearly everyone should think about investing in. However, if you have been considering purchasing a DIY security camera system in particular, you have likely encountered Wyze. The products offered by the company are generally a more budget-friendly choice compared to some of the pricier home security systems available, such as Ring and Arlo. Given that certain brands like Ring can cost over $100 depending on the model, similar Wyze products may only set you back around $40 to $50 while providing comparable resolution and features. So what is Wyze’s strategy? How does the company maintain such low prices?

To adequately address this question, we need to examine several different factors. Initially, Wyze has placed many of its more advanced features — such as package detection, pet detection, and others — behind its monthly subscription service. While this has sparked some dissatisfaction among customers, it does help reduce the upfront cost. Nonetheless, since you are paying for those enhanced features over time, the total expense could accumulate in the long term. Nevertheless, if you are seeking budget-friendly cameras, Wyze Cam Plus can be an excellent bargain at just $2.99 per month per camera, which is very reasonable compared to some competitors like Ring, which can exceed $49.99 a year for merely one camera. Wyze additionally provides an unlimited camera license for $9.99 per month, enabling you to configure your home security as you wish.

tricks for maximizing Apple CarPlay while driving, iPhone users can swiftly unlock their vehicles. Apple enables iPhone and Apple Watch users to save digital car keys via the iOS and watchOS Wallet application.

To proceed, you’ll require a compatible vehicle, an iPhone XS or SE (2nd generation) or newer, or an Apple Watch Series 5 or newer. Additionally, your device must be operating on the latest version of iOS or watchOS. To initiate, utilize your car manufacturer’s companion app or the car’s display to configure a digital key. If prompted, position the top-center of your iPhone on the key reader to synchronize your phone and vehicle. This should automatically add the new key to your associated Apple Watch, but you can also do this manually by accessing the Apple Watch app on your iPhone and selecting Wallet & Apple Pay > Add next to your car key.

numerous reasons to purchase your electronics from Costco. Although you may find fewer choices compared to a specialty consumer electronics store like Best Buy, Costco’s cost savings, fair return policy, and executive membership yearly cashback make it worthwhile to at least consider this retailer before looking elsewhere — especially if you already hold a membership.

If you’re seeking a Wi-Fi router for your newly purchased home or upgrading your Wi-Fi configuration after years with a 2.4GHz router, Costco offers a modest selection of standalone Wi-Fi routers and mesh Wi-Fi systems that are affordably priced, feature modern specifications, and come from trusted brands. Since not all Wi-Fi routers offer the same capabilities or performance, we have selected three of the top options available that have generally garnered positive feedback from Costco customers to assist in your router selection.

U.S. Department of Energy approximates that 5 to 10 percent of home energy consumption stems from phantom power, costing the average homeowner up to $100 annually. One or two USB chargers connected might not appear to consume much, but cumulatively, in a household, the total usage can be significant. If you have children, consider their chargers or devices constantly plugged in, along with your partner’s, yours, or those of any visitors. 

However, it’s not only USB chargers that draw power. Numerous devices in standby mode utilize small amounts of electricity, such as cable boxes, streaming devices, gaming consoles, smart TVs, microwaves, appliances, audio systems, and many others. Now, envision all those devices plugged in continuously, throughout the day, every day. That represents a considerable amount of energy likely being wasted. You can alleviate this by transitioning to newer, more energy-efficient alternatives. Indeed, a lesser-known aspect of smart home technology is its ability to reduce energy consumption by minimizing constant power draw or utilizing energy more effectively.

Amazon Studios’ “Fallout” series has achieved multiple nominations and a single win at the 2024 Emmys. However, Amazon is not stopping with “Fallout”; the studio is developing several additional game adaptations, ranging from “God of War” to “Mass Effect.”

In recent years, Amazon Studios has finalized a range of beneficial agreements to produce live-action series based on well-known video game franchises. While details regarding the progress of these projects are scarce, they remain actively in development. If the caliber of “Fallout” is anything to go by, each of these endeavors has the potential to become blockbuster hits on their own, and we are eager to witness the outcomes. Below are the five video game adaptations we are most thrilled to see on the streaming platform in the near future.