In a bold move ahead of its official launch, Honor has released a teaser video showing its forthcoming flagship, the Honor Magic 8 Pro, going head-to-head with the iPhone 17 Pro in a night-time photography challenge filmed from a helicopter. The stunt arrives just before the Magic 8 series’ scheduled unveiling on October 15, 2025.
The clip opens high above a cityscape, with both phones capturing sweeping views of illuminated buildings and street lights while the helicopter rocks in flight. The side-by-side comparisons suggest that the Magic 8 Pro pulls ahead in terms of image sharpness, dynamic range and low-light clarity. The Honor device appears to render building textures and distant lights with greater crispness, while avoiding the oversaturation that often accompanies aggressive image processing. The iPhone 17 Pro, meanwhile, maintains its familiar balance of realism and consistency.
Although Honor has yet to reveal full specifications, hints embedded in the teaser point to a potent camera system. According to the teaser, the Magic 8 Pro may feature a 200 MP 1/1.4-inch periscope telephoto lens, a 50 MP main sensor (1/1.31-inch) with f/1.6 aperture, and a 50 MP ultra-wide camera. Rumours also suggest a large 7,200 mAh battery equipped with 120W fast-charging capability, potentially making the phone one of the most powerful in its class upon launch.
The comparison against Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro serves as both a marketing statement and a message of confidence: Honor is signalling that its next flagship will challenge the established photography king for low-light supremacy. Whether the end-user experience will reflect the teaser’s bold claims remains to be seen once the Magic 8 Pro becomes available for review and comparison.
With the smartphone competition heating up, this stunt sets the tone for what could be a defining battle in mobile photography this year.
