Honor’s Magic 8 Pro and 600 Pro have the hardware to beat Apple — so why do they look like iPhones?
Honor’s latest phones offer outstanding battery life, capable cameras and impressive durability — but their increasingly Apple-like software and hardware make them feel less distinctive than they should.
Honor has established a reputation for creating innovative smartphones, from their silicon-carbon battery technology to high durability ratings. Their latest flagship, the Honor Magic 8 Pro, and mid-range model, the Honor 600 Pro, boast impressive specifications, including large batteries, cutting-edge camera hardware, and IP68/IP69K durability ratings. However, despite these strengths, both phones share a striking resemblance to Apple devices.
The Magic 8 Pro's MagicOS interface mirrors the iOS experience, with a similar layout and design style to the iOS Control Center. The camera app's AI button operates similarly to the iPhone's Camera Control button, further emphasizing the resemblance. The 600 Pro's camera bump and orange finish also evoke comparisons to the iPhone 17 Pro.
While Honor deserves credit for some creative features like the Magic Capsule, which predated Apple's Dynamic Island, the overall design language of both phones points towards a lack of independent identity.
Despite these similarities, both phones offer significant advantages in battery life, durability, and competitive pricing. Honor has proven its ability to design unique products, as seen with the Honor V Purse foldable and the Robot Phone. Therefore, the imitation appears to stem from a lack of confidence rather than a genuine innovation. It's a shame that these otherwise capable phones are overshadowed by their Apple-like aesthetics and user experience.
Written by urgent.news from TechRadar's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
