Earlier than diving into this evaluate, I need to make one factor clear — I have been utilizing MacBooks for the higher a part of the final decade and have been utilizing the MacBook Professional 13-inch (M1) because it debuted in 2020. So, once I bought my arms on the HONOR MagicBook Professional 16, the massive query on my thoughts was — can this laptop computer exchange my Mac? For any laptop computer to tackle Apple’s laptops, particularly their new M-series MacBooks, it should excel in 5 areas: portability, construct high quality, show and audio high quality, uncooked efficiency, and battery life.

HONOR’s new MagicBook Professional 16 comes ever so near matching Apple’s requirements, however the machine makes one factor clear — there’s nonetheless an extended approach to go. With its 16-inch 165Hz display screen, a strong mixture of Intel Core Extremely 7 CPU and RTX 4060 Laptop computer GPU, and among the finest audio system on a Home windows laptop computer, the HONOR MagicBook Professional 16 affords a stable general expertise. Nevertheless, there are some areas the place it falls brief. Preserve studying for my detailed evaluate to search out out why and the place it misses the mark.

Pricing and Availability

The HONOR MagicBook Professional 16 was unveiled on the firm’s grand keynote at MWC 2024. Nevertheless, within the typical HONOR style, the corporate hasn’t introduced the worldwide pricing or availability simply but. Within the residence nation China, the HONOR MagicBook Professional 16 begins at CNY 8,999 ($1,250 / €1,160) for the bottom mannequin with Intel Core Extremely 5. We bought our arms on the top-tier variant with the Intel Core Extremely 7, which is priced at CNY 9,999 ($1,400 / €1,290). We’ll preserve you posted on world availability as quickly as we obtain extra data from the model.

Design and Construct

Beginning off with the design, which has been a standout function of HONOR’s merchandise. Their Magic V2 was a “groundbreaking” foldable smartphone, and the Magic6 Professional introduced its distinctive design to Android flagships. The MagicBook Professional 16 follows go well with — it carries on this custom with its personal aptitude.

The MagicBook Professional 16 comes with a pure white end, with the outer shell given a rainbow hue. After I took out this machine out of the field, I used to be left amazed by this shade. However, as anticipated, it will get soiled actual quick. In reality, in case you look carefully, you may see that my unit has already picked up a number of everlasting stains. Should you’re a cleansing freak, I might relatively advocate you to get the outer floor laminated as quickly as potential. Because of the white end, I’ve been hesitant to eat close to it, which is a disgrace given its audio system and show are distinctive for the value.

However, in case you can overlook the colour, it is a fairly solidly constructed laptop computer. You will get a reasonably modern design for a laptop computer with top-end, gaming-capable {hardware}. It weighs 1.86kg and measures 17.9mm in thickness — solely about 1mm thicker than the 16-inch MacBook Professional. The physique incorporates a tender brushed steel end and is free from any overly flashy design parts. Even the outer shell options solely the HONOR emblem.

The location of ports on the MagicBook Professional 16 can be thoughtfully achieved. There are six ports in complete, with essentially the most often used ones, like the three.5mm headphone jack and two USB-C ports (one supporting PD charging), conveniently positioned on the left aspect. The proper aspect has been left clean, whereas the again aspect of the laptop computer options the opposite ports, such because the HDMI port, two USB-A ports, and the proprietary charging port, making them much less obtrusive.

To maintain this factor cool, since this laptop computer can get a bit heat, HONOR has included air vents on all sides, together with the again, backside, and sides. Nevertheless, the underside line concerning the MagicBook Professional 16’s construct high quality is that it is stable — and this comes from somebody who has been utilizing Apple’s MacBook for greater than a decade. The hinge can be well-designed, opening easily with one hand, and with the physique made largely out of steel, the laptop computer feels sturdy and premium.

Keyboard and Trackpad

The MagicBook Professional 16 incorporates a full keyboard, full with a numeric pad on the precise aspect. This format is nice for individuals who worth having a numeric pad, however as somebody like me who’s accustomed to centered keyboards, it took me some time to adapt. The truth that the keyboard has pretty small “Enter” and “Shift” buttons did not assist both.

Nonetheless, the general responsiveness and really feel of the keys are glorious. The keys are generously sized, provide good journey, and are comparatively quiet. As soon as accustomed to this format, you may love typing on this machine. The keyboard even has backlighting. Nevertheless, I discovered the lighting uneven and poorly seen towards the white keys, and I switched off this function on the primary boot itself.

The keyboard is surrounded by the laptop computer’s sound system on either side. The highest proper key of the keyboard doubles as an influence/wake button and the fingerprint scanner. The fingerprint scanner on this machine might be the quickest I’ve used on a Home windows laptop computer, unlocking the laptop computer nearly immediately upon contact.

Transferring to the trackpad, the MagicBook Professional 16 affords a big trackpad with ample floor space, however that is one other key space the place this laptop computer falls wanting different rivals. The trackpad feels plastic-y, and the clicking suggestions is inconsistent, with the highest half feeling stiff and the underside overly versatile. HONOR positively has room for enchancment on this space.

Show and Audio

Transferring onto the show, the MagicBook Professional comes with a big 16-inch “FullView” IPS LCD show with as much as a 165Hz refresh price and a decision of 3072×1920 pixels. The show has a 16:10 facet ratio, a matte end, and may attain as much as 500 nits of brightness. Even for somebody like me who loves the shiny and colourful show of the Mac, the HONOR MagicBook Professional 16’s show does an important job in sustaining glorious shade copy and vibrancy, regardless of it being a matte show.

The excessive refresh price makes positive Home windows and general UI look buttery clean. And oh, did I point out the bezels? The bezels on three sides are nearly negligible and it makes for an important viewing expertise when watching TV exhibits, motion pictures, and sports activities. The display screen can be TUV Rheinland licensed for Low Blue Gentle and Flicker Free, much like HONOR’s different merchandise. The one factor I might enhance about this show is the brightness. The low 500 nits brightness means the colours take successful when checked out from the aspect angles and in outside settings the place the matte end doesn’t assist both. Nonetheless, the general expertise is excellent, particularly contemplating the value.

What enhances this show superbly is the laptop computer’s sound system. The MagicBook Professional 16 could nicely have the perfect audio system of any Home windows laptop computer at the moment available on the market. For the primary time shortly, I didn’t miss the sound system of my MacBook Professional — which has turn into the trade customary at this level. The audio system ship punchy, detailed sound throughout low, mid-range, and excessive frequencies, making for among the best audio experiences I’ve had on a Home windows laptop computer in a very long time.

Software program, Efficiency, and Battery Life

Now, shifting onto efficiency, however let’s first get the uncooked specs out of the way in which. The HONOR MagicBook Professional 16 is powered by Intel’s Core Extremely 7 155H processor coupled with 32GB DDR5 RAM and 1TB SSD storage. For graphics, it features a devoted NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 laptop computer GPU with 8GB of reminiscence and an Intel Arc built-in GPU, although it primarily depends on the RTX 4060 for graphic-intensive duties. And, with HONOR calling this laptop computer an AI PC, due to the inclusion of two Gen3 compute engines NPU for dealing with AI-based duties.

As you’ll anticipate from a laptop computer with this succesful {hardware}, Home windows runs quick and fluid on this gadget. From launching functions and booting up, to switching between browser tabs and modifying paperwork or pictures, the efficiency is secure and fast. The one enchancment I would recommend is streamlining Home windows updates, however that is a process for Microsoft, not HONOR. However apart from that, this factor flies proper off the bat. Proper from the second you activate this machine, you’ll really feel it being buttery clean and quick.

Nevertheless, the graphics efficiency doesn’t meet the expectations for a gaming laptop computer. Regardless of setting it to efficiency mode and protecting it plugged in, the MagicBook Professional struggles to take care of a constant 60fps in FIFA 23, with body charges typically dropping to between 40-43fps. I additionally tried to play Microsoft’s Forza Horizon 5 on this machine, however discovered comparable outcomes with the machine failing to ship clean gameplay.

HONOR has built-in a number of Apple-like cross-platform options. The MagicBook Professional comes outfitted with HONOR PC Supervisor and HONOR WorkStation apps. PC Supervisor means that you can handle the laptop computer, together with updating BIOS and drivers, backing up information, enabling spatial audio, and configuring HONOR Share.

WorkStation, then again, improves interoperability amongst HONOR gadgets, permitting for clipboard sharing, file transfers, display screen sharing, and even utilizing the laptop computer’s enter gadgets together with your telephone. You can even instantly allow the telephone’s hotspot via the WorkStation app. Whereas HONOR guarantees extra AI options like doc summarization, AI video subtitles, and extra, these weren’t accessible on the time of evaluate.

Concerning battery life, the MagicBook Professional 16 falls brief. The battery life is disappointing, with the laptop computer typically working out earlier than noon even below mild use, which incorporates doc writing and modifying, net looking, video streaming, and emailing. Moreover, the laptop computer comes with a cumbersome charger, which is cumbersome regardless of the choice to cost by way of USB-C.

Verdict

So, is the HONOR MagicBook Professional 16 price it? In equity to HONOR, it is a commendable try at creating a conveyable powerhouse. The MagicBook Professional 16 is supplied with among the finest {hardware} accessible, boasts glorious construct high quality, a show + sound combo that is unmatched on any Home windows laptop computer, and delivers nice efficiency, all for round $1000. Whereas there are some shortcomings that make this laptop computer inferior towards among the rivals, these drawbacks are usually manageable for many customers (even essentially the most energy customers).

The Honor Magic7 Professional received unveiled on the finish of October in China and now it appears nearly able to make it to Europe alongside the still-unofficial Magic7 Lite. Right now a brand new leak brings us pricing data for each within the EU, in addition to specs. So let’s dive proper in.

The Magic7 Professional will go for €1,225.90 based on the retailer itemizing you’ll be able to see under. For this amount of money you are getting 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, and the cellphone will apparently be provided in black and grey.

The Magic7 Lite, however, will value €376.89 with 8GB of RAM and 512GB of storage and it is going to be out there in black and purple. Whereas the common Magic7 is not listed by this retailer, there’s undoubtedly a sufficiently big value hole between the Lite and the Professional the place it might match.

Honor Magic7 Lite

The Magic7 Lite has a 6.78-inch OLED display screen with 120 Hz refresh fee and 1224×2700 decision. It is powered by the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 SoC. It has a 108 MP predominant rear digital camera with a further 5 MP shooter subsequent to it, a 16 MP selfie snapper, and a 6,600 mAh battery. It runs Android 14 with MagicOS 8.0 on high, weighs 189g, and does not include a charger within the field. So if these specs from the itemizing are correct, it seems like the primary enchancment in comparison with the Magic6 Lite is the larger battery. Not a lot else appears to have modified from final 12 months.

The Magic7 Professional for Europe is similar to the mannequin already out there in China, so it has a 6.8-inch 1280×2800 LTPO OLED panel with 120 Hz refresh fee and 5,000-nit peak brightness, the Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC on the helm, a triple rear digital camera system (50 MP predominant with OIS, 50 MP ultrawide with autofocus, 200 MP periscope telephoto with 3x optical zoom), and a 5,850 mAh battery with assist for 100W wired and 80W wi-fi charging. It runs Android 15 with MagicOS 9 on high.

Through

The European Fee has revealed draft proposals for the way Apple should meet interoperability necessities flowing from the bloc’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) — inviting suggestions on proposed measures focused at areas like iOS notifications, information switch, and system set-up by January 9, 2025.

European Union regulators then have till round mid March to undertake last choices on what measures the bloc will count on Apple to take, and by when, to ship entry for rivals because the DMA calls for.

Apple’s iOS, iPadOS, App Retailer and Safari internet browser are all topic to to the regulation which goals to spice up competitors by enabling third events to plug their very own companies into dominant platforms. However the present interoperability proceedings deal with Apple’s cell working methods, iOS and iPadOS.

Again in September the Fee introduced two “specification proceedings” to find out how the interoperability guidelines needs to be utilized to Apple’s core platforms. On Thursday it revealed the preliminary outcomes and kicked off two consultations: One on “proposed measures for interoperability between Apple’s iOS working system and linked gadgets“; and a second on “proposed measures for requesting interoperability with Apple’s iOS and iPadOS working methods“.

Among the many necessities being proposed for Apple are measures supposed to realize “efficient interoperability” with iOS Notifications; background execution; computerized audio switching; information switch options together with high-bandwidth p2p wi-fi connection, Airdrop, Airplay, close-range wi-fi file switch companies, and media casting; options for device-set up and configuration similar to proximity-triggered pairing, computerized wi-fi connection, and the NFC controller.

The Fee additionally desires Apple to enhance the request-based course of it has arrange for third events to hunt interoperability with iOS and iPadOS — which the second continuing offers with.

Proposed measures right here embrace actions that goal to spice up transparency round iOS and iPadOS options and functionalities which are presently reserved for Apple (similar to by offering data on libraries, frameworks and daemons); help for builders who’re curious about interoperability to spice up the effectiveness and transparency of the request course of itself, together with measures to enhance communications and suggestions round requests, and round any rejections, in addition to the construction of a conciliation course of to deal with disagreements; in addition to measures geared in the direction of futureproofing interoperability via interoperability by design; and measures to present better readability across the timeline for interoperability requests to be actioned by Apple to drive predictability and accountability for builders requesting entry.

Reached for remark, Apple spokesman Tom Parker emailed a five-page report setting out the corporate’s response to the proposals — by which Apple suggests abuse of DMA interoperability necessities may hurt customers privateness because it warns: “Information-hungry firms throughout the globe could weaponize interoperability.”

Apple’s lobbying doc additionally hits out at Meta, particularly — accusing the adtech large of constructing many and over-broad DMA entry requests, as we reported earlier.

Parker additionally highlighted the next line by which Apple wrote: “The magical experiences individuals love about Apple merchandise are made attainable due to the time, expertise and capital the corporate dedicates to creating merchandise that work proper out of the field. These processes will damage innovation — firms ought to be capable to compete with each other to make their very own merchandise work collectively in new ways in which profit customers with out giving their concepts away to rivals. Apple is the one firm being compelled to share its improvements on this means with everybody else, together with those that don’t share its dedication to consumer privateness.” 

Within the report, Apple suggests it has typically offered builders with entry to the identical instruments in iOS and iPadOS that it has however argues it’s “extremely essential” for interoperability to be “achieved in a means that’s proper for our customers”.

“That’s the reason, each single time we open developer entry to functionalities, we give cautious thought to methods to do it in a means that continues to guard customers,” Apple additionally claims, including: “With out the correct protections, giving third events entry to components of customers’ gadgets may open up methods for dangerous actors to steal or expose their private data.”

The Fee’s session on the primary specification continuing notes that it’s significantly searching for technical views on the effectiveness of the proposed measures for interoperability between iOS and linked gadgets, together with effectiveness in apply, completeness, feasibility and views on its proposed timelines for Apple to implement the measures.

Concerning the second session the EU additionally desires suggestions on timelines and, extra broadly, whether or not the proposed measures obtain their goal; and, if not, how they could be improved.

“The Fee will rigorously assess the suggestions offered by events and Apple. The enter acquired could lead to changes to the proposed measures and can feed into the Fee’s resolution on the legally binding last measures making use of to Apple,” the EU added.

Vivo unveiled its X200 collection this 12 months with a brand new compact variant — Vivo X200 Professional Mini. Nevertheless, whereas the Vivo X200 and Vivo X200 Professional noticed a world launch, the Mini remained unique to China. Lately, a hearsay popping out of China hints that the corporate is planning to unveil a smaller-screen mid-range smartphone within the coming 12 months. This mannequin is claimed to be powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 9 collection chipset and will embody a 50-megapixel main rear digicam sensor.

Vivo’s Compact Mid-Vary Smartphone

Standard tipster Digital Chat Station on Weibo opined (by way of) that Vivo
 is gearing as much as unveil a compact mid-range smartphone subsequent 12 months. The upcoming handset is tipped to run on a MediaTek Dimensity 9 collection chip and pack a 6.31-inch 8T LTPO display screen with 1.5K decision. The Vivo X200 Professional Mini has an identical 6.31-inch 1.5K LTPO AMOLED show and a MediaTek Dimensity 9400 SoC beneath the hood.

The purported compact mid-range Vivo smartphone is tipped to characteristic a 50-megapixel main rear digicam and a telephoto sensor. It’s mentioned to hold a silicon battery. The Vivo X200 Professional Mini has an identical Zeiss branded triple rear digicam unit comprising a 50-megapixel Sony LYT-818 sensor most important digicam and a 50-megapixel periscope tele-macro digicam. It homes a 5,800mAh battery with 90W wired charging assist.

The Vivo X200 Professional Mini was launched in China in October this 12 months with a beginning price ticket of CNY 4,699 (roughly Rs. 56,000) for the 12GB RAM + 256GB storage variant.

The Vivo X200 Professional and Vivo X200 have been launched in India and different international markets in December after their preliminary debut in China. The model skipped the Mini mannequin for the worldwide markets.

Think about having much less stress and extra time. Image getting the provide help to want earlier than you must ask. Within the period of cellular AI, the liberty to give attention to what issues most to you isn’t a dream, it’s actuality — and it’s coming quickly to Galaxy.

 

 

Just a few weeks in the past, we launched the One UI 7 beta program. It marked the beginning of a brand new period with the primary AI-integrated working system, a real AI platform that vastly improves cellular experiences for customers by means of unprecedented personalization.

 

Galaxy’s method to AI personalization, from our launch of the primary AI telephone to our steady innovation of on-device AI, is to by no means compromise on privateness. We all know you need the advantages of cellular AI that really understands you. You need a telephone, tailor-made to your way of life, that provides to what you are able to do whereas eradicating on a regular basis boundaries — all with no threat of non-public data being misused.

 

In anticipation of the following standard-setting Galaxy S sequence smartphones, we’re giving Galaxy customers larger peace of thoughts alongside larger personalization. That’s why we’ve created the Private Information Engine, a strong privateness development that ensures on-device, cross-app private knowledge safety.

 

Personalised knowledge is saved in a safe area, fastidiously safeguarded by an encryption key that’s managed by Knox Vault. That’s the identical trusted platform used to safe probably the most delicate data in your smartphone, comparable to your biometric knowledge. And as an added layer of safety, post-quantum cryptography future-proofs the safety of your knowledge towards rising quantum computing threats.

 

 

* Precise UX/UI might range.

 

On this fortified basis of privateness, we’re opening up extra prospects for cellular experiences tailor-made to your life, solely with Galaxy.

 

One defining component of One UI 7 is Now Bar, which supplies personalization a brand new that means by seamlessly integrating your on a regular basis actions and most-used apps into your lock display screen. It’s the place you’ll management your leisure, time your subsequent private finest exercise, get instructions to your subsequent assembly or begin speaking in different languages.

 

Now Bar can even be an entry level for probably the most comprehensively insightful experiences ever on Galaxy. Now, your telephone received’t simply ping you, it should energy your way of life.

 

Think about you’re packing for a visit from Seoul, Korea, to San Jose, California. Whilst you prepare, your telephone presents a immediate to create a folder of your important apps for faster entry. So that you don’t miss your flight, it lets when it’s time to go away for the airport. It even offers a curated journey playlist to set the temper to your lengthy flight.

 

With a single swipe, you’ll be able to entry the climate forecast — no want to go looking or verify varied apps. All through your journey, your telephone captures the magic of every second, and as every day winds down, it helps you relive the highlights.

 

Morning and night time, Galaxy AI will maintain you each knowledgeable and impressed with actionable suggestions and proposals¹ uniquely tailor-made to your life. Recreation-changing personalization with privateness you’ll be able to at all times belief. That is the following evolution of Galaxy AI.

 

¹  Some options might require Samsung Account login. Service availability might range by nation, language, machine mannequin, apps.