Honor Magic8 Pro Air vs Honor Play
The Honor Magic8 Pro Air (2026) runs on the MediaTek Dimensity 9500, while the Honor Play (2018) runs on the Hisilicon Kirin 970. By overall MobileRank rating, the Honor Magic8 Pro Air leads — 84/100 vs 8/100 (a 76-point difference). Key differences: the Honor Magic8 Pro Air has the bigger battery (5500 mAh vs 3750); the main camera is 50 MP vs 16 MP; the Honor Magic8 Pro Air is faster in AnTuTu (4,430,255 vs 470,805); the Honor Magic8 Pro Air has NFC for contactless payments, the Honor Play doesn't; the Honor Magic8 Pro Air is noticeably lighter (155g vs 176g).
Honor Magic8 Pro Air
Honor Play
- Higher AnTuTu: 4430255 vs 470805
- Better Geekbench Single: 3228 vs 420
- Better Geekbench Multi: 9553 vs 1617
- Bigger battery: 5500 vs 3750 mAh
- Faster charging: 80W vs 18W
- Better main camera: 50MP vs 16MP
- Lighter: 155g vs 176g
- Higher performance (89/100 vs 0/100)
- Better camera (84/100 vs 5/100)
- Longer battery life (67/100 vs 5/100)
- Better display (100/100 vs 0/100)
- Better design/ergonomics (100/100 vs 80/100)
- Overall rating 8/100
Comparing the Honor Magic8 Pro Air vs the Honor Play, the Honor Magic8 Pro Air scores 76 points higher (84/100 vs 8/100). In the "performance" category, the Honor Magic8 Pro Air leads (89/100 vs 0/100). In the "camera" category, the Honor Magic8 Pro Air leads (84/100 vs 5/100). In the "battery" category, the Honor Magic8 Pro Air leads (67/100 vs 5/100). In the "performance" category, the Honor Magic8 Pro Air significantly outperforms the Honor Play (89/100 vs 0/100). In the "display" category, the Honor Magic8 Pro Air significantly outperforms the Honor Play (100/100 vs 0/100). In the "camera" category, the Honor Magic8 Pro Air significantly outperforms the Honor Play (84/100 vs 5/100). In the "battery" category, the Honor Magic8 Pro Air significantly outperforms the Honor Play (67/100 vs 5/100). In the "design" category, the Honor Magic8 Pro Air notably outperforms the Honor Play (100/100 vs 80/100). In the "value for money" category, both devices are on the same level — 55/100.
| Specification | Honor Magic8 Pro Air | Honor Play | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 9500 | Hisilicon Kirin 970 | |
| AnTuTu | 4430255 | 470805 | |
| Geekbench Single | 3228 | 420 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 9553 | 1617 | |
| Display | 6.3" LTPO OLED | 6.3" IPS LCD | |
| Resolution | 1216x2640 | 1080x2340 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | — | |
| Battery | 5500 mAh | 3750 mAh | |
| Charging | 80W | 18W | |
| Wireless charging | 50W | 0W | |
| Main camera | 50 MP | 16 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 50 MP | 0 MP | |
| Telephoto | 64 MP | 0 MP | |
| Front camera | 50 MP | 16 MP | |
| RAM | 12GB / 16GB | 6GB | |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | 64GB | |
| OS | Android 16, MagicOS 10 | Android 8.1 (Oreo); EMUI 8.2 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 6000 nits | — | |
| NFC | yes | no | |
| Protection | IP68 | — | |
| Dimensions | 150.5×71.9×6.1 mm | 157.9×74.3×7.5 mm | |
| Weight | 155 g | 176 g | |
| Price | — | — |
Honor Magic8 Pro Air
- Main: 50MP f/f/1.6
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 64MP
- Front: 50MP
Honor Play
- Main: 16MP f/f/2.2
- Front: 16MP
Honor Magic8 Pro Air
- 6.3" LTPO OLED
- Resolution: 1216x2640
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Honor Play
- 6.3" IPS LCD
- Resolution: 1080x2340
- Refresh rate: —
Honor Magic8 Pro Air
- 5500 mAh
- Wired: 80W
- Wireless: 50W
Honor Play
- 3750 mAh
- Wired: 18W
- No wireless charging
We compared Honor Magic8 Pro Air and Honor Play, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Honor Magic8 Pro Air leads Honor Play by 841.0% in our overall performance rating.
performance
In the "performance" category, the Honor Magic8 Pro Air significantly outperforms the Honor Play (89/100 vs 0/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Honor Magic8 Pro Air significantly outperforms the Honor Play (100/100 vs 0/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Honor Magic8 Pro Air significantly outperforms the Honor Play (84/100 vs 5/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Honor Magic8 Pro Air significantly outperforms the Honor Play (67/100 vs 5/100).
design
In the "design" category, the Honor Magic8 Pro Air notably outperforms the Honor Play (100/100 vs 80/100).
value for money
In the "value for money" category, both devices are on the same level — 55/100.
Which is better: the Honor Magic8 Pro Air or the Honor Play?
The Honor Magic8 Pro Air significantly outperforms the Honor Play by 76 points (84/100 vs 8/100).
What is the rating of the Honor Magic8 Pro Air and the Honor Play?
The Honor Magic8 Pro Air has a MobileRank rating of 84/100, the Honor Play — 8/100.
Which has the better camera: the Honor Magic8 Pro Air or the Honor Play?
The Honor Magic8 Pro Air leads on camera score (84/100 vs 5/100).
Which is more powerful: the Honor Magic8 Pro Air or the Honor Play?
The Honor Magic8 Pro Air leads on performance (89/100 vs 0/100).
Should you choose the Honor Magic8 Pro Air over the Honor Play?
The Honor Magic8 Pro Air is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts. The Honor Play is a better fit for everyday use.