If you want to bring multiple devices back to life at once, the UGreen Nexode Pro 65W Charger could be a good fit for you. This charger has three ports – two of which are USB-C and the other USB-A – and boasts a maximum total power output of 65W.
That 65W will likely be enough to access fast-charging on your handset, even with all three slots in use. That’s because the USB-C Port 1 has a solid maximum output of 45W when triple charging, with the other two able to provide up to 15W. If you’re hoping to get top charging speeds on three particularly power-hungry devices, though, this may not be quite enough power. Thankfully, there are stronger alternatives, like the Anker Prime 100W GaN Wall Charger (3 Ports), which boasts a higher total power output.
Actual charging performance is strong here, though. To test charging speed, I plugged the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE into USB-C Port 1, the Soundcore Space One Pro into USB-C Port 2 and the LG Tone Free T90S into the USB-A slot. Even with all three ports in use, the Samsung phone was able to go from 0% - 100% in the expected timeframe of approximately 80 minutes – that’s what you’d expect from some of the best iPhone chargers and best Android phone chargers.
On top of that, this charger is pretty small in size – it doesn’t protrude too far out of a socket – ideal if you’re working with a tight space. That’s in part, thanks to the use of GaN technology, which offers improved energy efficiency and a more compact build than typical silicon chargers. One issue I did have design-wise, however, is that the plug’s prongs are not foldable. So, if you want to slip the charger into your pocket, you may feel the prongs poking into your side – that’s not ideal. In addition, the look of the UGreen Nexode Pro 65W is perhaps not the prettiest. The main body of the charger is an attractive silver cuboid, but the adapter on the front appears somewhat shoehorned on – resulting in a slightly awkward look.
Overall, though, this is still a solid quality, fast-charging plug. OK, its list price of $55.99 / £44.99 (about AU$85) is admittedly quite steep – especially given the very similar, but non-GaN Anker 335 Charger (67W) is just $35.99 / £36.99 (about AU$55) and it comes with a USB-C to USB-C cable. But again, the UGreen Nexode Pro 65W 3-Port Charger will almost certainly please you performance-wise – just don’t expect class-leading value or design.
(Image credit: Future)
UGreen Nexode Pro 65W 3-Port Charger review: Price & specs
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Should I buy the UGreen Nexode Pro 65W 3-Port Charger?
Buy it if…
You want to charge multiple devices at once This charger has three ports so you could charge your phone, laptop and tablet all at once – or any devices you have for that matter. With a total power output of 67W, you should have more than enough to access fast-charging on most modern handsets, even if you’re juicing up another two devices alongside it.
You want to use USB-A and USB-C cables A lot of smartphones in the last few years have come with USB-A to USB-C charging cables. If you still want to make use of yours rather than being confined to USB-C to USB-C alternatives alone, this is an option worth considering.
Don't buy it if…
You want ultimate portability Although the actual charger is pleasingly compact – in part thanks to the use of GaN technology – its prongs aren’t foldable. That’s not ideal if you want to slip the charger into your pocket, as the prongs can poke into you. Thankfully, there are tons of chargers from UGreen itself, Anker, and many more that opt for a foldable design – far more practical and portable in my view.
You’re on a tight budget If you want a triple-port charger but don’t want to spend quite so much, fear not – there are some other strong alternative options out there. For instance, the Anker 335 Charger (67W) has a list price of $35.99 / £36.99 (about AU$55) but offers a slightly higher maximum power output and the same port configuration (2x USB-C; 1x USB-A). More on this below…
UGreen Nexode Pro 65W 3-Port Charger: Also consider
Anker 335 Charger (67W) If you’re looking for a cheaper option that still packs a decent amount of power, the Anker 335 Charger (67W) could be a better option for you. You get three charging ports, but also a USB-C to USB-C cable and foldable prongs – adding a lot of value. This doesn’t use GaN technology, so it’s not as hi-tech or small-bodied as the UGreen Nexode Pro 65W, though. Read our full Anker 335 Charger (67W) review.
The PowerCore 10000 Redux is a mini power bank, designed to be easily transportable, thanks to its pill-like shape and additional carrying strap. Despite the small size, it has a large 10,000mAh capacity, as well as a 25W maximum output. There are two USB ports, one type C and one type A, giving you multiple charging options. There’s no wireless charging feature, though.
The PowerCore 10000 Redux’s USB-C port utilizes Anker’s PowerIQ 3.0 charging technology. Meanwhile, the USB-A port is stuck with the first generation of this standard, which only allows up to 12W of charging power.
Charging a Google Pixel 7a from half to full power using the type-C port took just over an hour, which is a solid performance. The PowerCore 10000 Redux only lost one of its four LEDs on the battery level indicator, which meant it had between 50-75% left in the tank, so you should get about 3-4 charges from it.
USB-A charging, meanwhile, took about an hour and a half – lagging behind what some of the best power banks can offer – but all four LEDs remained lit upon completion, indicating a battery level of between 75%-100%. Charging the power bank itself took about 2 hours and 40 minutes.
The PowerCore 10000 Redux also has Anker’s Trickle Charging mode, which is designed for charging devices with a low power draw (measured in amps), such as earbuds. When activated – which simply requires pressing the main button twice – the PowerCore 10000 Redux will only provide a low charge to your device.
The supplied USB-C cable comes with a USB-A adapter – attached rather conveniently to one end of the cable itself – which is a thoughtful and welcome bonus, saving you the hassle of having to remember to pack multiple cables for all your devices.
Additionally, it comes with a useful carrying handle and pouch, both of which feel well-made and soft to the touch. The handle is easy to attach and remove, and the material resembles a soft, thick shoelace. An adjustable tab allows you to alter the size of the loop, which is another considerate touch.
It’s a shame that the PowerCore 10000 Redux misses out on wireless charging, but the small form factor is practical, although it’s better carried in your bag rather than your pocket given its thickness. The carrying strap does add to its portability, though, and combined with the large battery capacity, it makes for a great power bank to accompany you on your journeys.
(Image credit: Future)
Anker PowerCore 10000 Redux review: Price & specs
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Should I buy the Anker PowerCore 10000 Redux?
Buy it if…
You want a simple power bank This is a no-fuss power bank: just plug and go. Trickle Charge is about the only extra feature.
You want something compact The shape of the PowerCore 10000 Redux means stowing it away in your bag is easy. The carrying strap also adds to its traveling convenience.
Don't buy it if…
You want something thin Although it’s not wide, the PowerCore 10000 Redux is thick, which means putting it in your pocket isn’t as practical as it is with flatter power banks.
You want wireless charging There’s no wireless charging capability on the PowerCore 10000 Redux, so you’ll always need to take the included cable – with its attached USB-C-to-A adapter – with you.
Anker PowerCore 10000 Redux review: Also consider
Anker 621 Magnetic Battery (MagGo) If you want something light and simple, then the Anker 621 is a great alternative. It only has one port (USB-C), but it does feature MagSafe wireless charging, great if you're an iPhone owner (it may also work on Androids with MagSafe compatible cases). The capacity is half that of the PowerCore, but it's thin enough to carry around in your pocket – with or without your phone attached.View Deal
The Anker 335 Charger (67W) is a triple port wall plug that offers speedy charging for your phones, tablets, laptops and more.
Something that I loved about this charger, right off the bat, is that it comes with a USB-C to USB-C cable included. That’s actually quite rare for a lot of these wall chargers but adds a lot of value points for an already cheap product – this charger is $35.99 / £36.99 (about AU$55) but regularly available for less. For those of you who only have USB-A to USB-C/lightning cables, this will undoubtedly be a welcome inclusion, so if you want to get great bang for your buck, the Anker 335 Charger (67W) is a strong option.
But this plug isn’t only good in terms of value, it delivers very decent charging performance too. I tried charging the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE and a DualSense Wireless Controller via USB-C, while also charging the Soundcore Space One Pro via USB-A. And despite using all three ports, the Samsung phone charged from 0% - 100% in the expected timeframe of approximately 80 minutes – that’s in-line with the sort of speeds the best iPhone chargers and best Android phone chargers offer.
It’s also worth noting that each USB-C port can provide up to 67W when single-port charging – this is 22.5W for the USB-A alternative. However, if you’re juicing up two or more devices, USB-C port 1 will deliver a higher power output than port 2 – specifically, port 1 delivers 42W, whereas port 2 and the USB-A slot provide 12W each if you’re triple-charging. If you’re trying to charge multiple power-hungry devices, this might not be enough firepower for you, though. It may, instead, be worth considering an option with a higher total power output, like the Anker Prime 100W GaN Wall Charger (3-Ports).
So performance is solid here, but is it designed for greatness? Well, I’d say it has a simple and decently effective build. Unlike Anker’s Prime products, this isn’t a GaN charger, so it’s not going to be the most hi-tech, compact option, but for its price it’s still pretty well-sized. The charger’s prongs are foldable too, which is ideal if you want to slip it into your pocket without it annoyingly poking your leg. Looks-wise, it’s not a particularly interesting charger. The casing has a matte black finish and the Anker logo with the three charging ports on the top – each of which are well spaced-out. There are no color options, which could’ve been a nice touch, especially given the Black colorway is a little bland.
But overall, this is a very solid wall charger. Sure, it doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it doesn’t have a flashy design and it doesn’t offer a sky-high maximum power output. But what you do get is reliable tri-port charging, a foldable design and a solid USB-C to USB-C cable all for a very reasonable price. So, if you’re looking for a cheap multi-device plug, this is a worthy pick.
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Anker 335 Charger (67W) review: Price & specs
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Should I buy the Anker 335 Charger (67W)?
Buy it if…
You need to charge multiple devices simultaneously Thanks to its three charging ports, you’ll easily be able to juice multiple devices up at once. There are two USB-C slots and one USB-A port, all of which can offer a total power output of 67W.
You’re looking for a solid low-priced plug If you don’t want to splash too much cash on a new wall charger, this is a strong option. For $35.99 / £36.99 you get a tri-port plug as well as a USB-C to USB-C cable – not bad value at all.
Don't buy it if…
You want top-level power output If you’re hoping to charge a lot of power-hungry devices at once, this may be a little underpowered for you. When you’re charging three devices at once, Port 1 can deliver a strong 42W, but Port 2 and the USB-A slot can only offer 12W each – that might not be enough if you want super-fast charging for your modern handset or tablet.
You’re looking for a charger with personality Design-wise, this isn’t a particularly exciting charger. It’s a little plain looking and there are no color options available – and despite having foldable prongs, this isn’t the most compact 67W charger around.
Anker 335 Charger (67W): Also consider
UGreen Uno Charger 100W Want a little more power, an extra charging slot and a more funky design? Then the UGreen Uno Charger 100W is the perfect pick. This wall plug has a charming robot-like design and even has a screen that displays different emotions depending on charging progress. It’s also great value, with a list price of $59.99 / £55.99 (about AU$80), though there’s no USB-C to USB-C cable included in the box. Read our full UGreen Uno Charger 100W review.View Deal
Have you ever wished your charger could express its deepest, most heartfelt emotions? Perhaps you wondered how it really feels while it juices up your devices? OK, maybe you haven’t. But even so, the UGreen Uno Charger 100W is sure to put a smile on your face with its charming expressions and super-fast charging, which make it a standout product in a competitive market.
Something that’s amazing about the UGreen Uno Charger 100W is that you get four charging ports, three of which are USB-C with the other being USB-A. This means that even if your phone, laptop, wireless headphones and tablet (just for example) need juicing up, you can get all of them back to life simultaneously. It’s worth mentioning, however, that the UGreen Uno Charger 100W doesn’t come with any charging cables, so you’ll need to acquire these separately.
So how does it fare charging-wise? Very well indeed. I attempted to charge the Samsung Galaxy A35 via a USB-C port while charging three other devices in the remaining slots. And luckily, it got back to full power in the expected timeframe of one hour and 30 minutes – that’s in-line with some of the best iPhone chargers and best Android phone chargers. However, if you’re not using all of the ports, power output can scale to fit your device’s requirements. For instance, the top two USB-C ports can deliver up to 100W each (if only one is being used at a time), making this a great choice if you want to charge more demanding devices.
But I’ll be honest, reader, I know why you’re here…you want to hear about the Uno Charger’s emotive display. And it works very nicely. The charger is bursting with emotions – from joyful, through surprised, to flushed. And there are a few more too, for instance, the Uno Charger sometimes assumes an eating animation when in-use or displays a ‘cool’ emoji when a device is fully charged. Am I easily amused? Perhaps so, but given this is nothing but a charger, I appreciated the personality UGreen injected into this product.
Other design choices are strong too. The placement of USB ports on top of the robot is practical and it’s a decently compact charger overall given the amount of power it can supply. And although prongs aren’t foldable, you can insert them into something of a sheath – or should I say the robot’s lower half. That’s right: when you remove the charger from the lower half you’re actually taking away his legs and feet. A bit mean really.
So, I actually have very little in the way of complaints. I would argue that the display isn’t super-bright, so at more awkward angles it might be slightly harder to ascertain the robot’s emotion. It could be fun too, if there was a button to manually change emojis, or perhaps even see power usage between the different ports – but these are very nitpicky complaints/suggestions.
Finally, I know this may not be the cheapest charger on the market, but when it comes to value it performs nicely. For instance, the Anker Prime 100W GaN Wall Charger (3 Ports) has one less port, the same maximum power output, but lacks any kind of display – not to mention it has a considerably higher list price. So overall, you’re getting a stellar product with the UGreen Uno Charger 100W – great performance, versatile charging options, strong value, and a fun, original design. It really doesn’t get much better.
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UGreen Uno Charger 100W review: Price & specs
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Should I buy the UGreen Uno Charger 100W?
Buy it if…
You want super-fast, multi-port charging The UGreen Uno Charger 100W boasts four charging ports, one of which is USB-A, the rest USB-C. On top of that, it has a very solid maximum power output of 100W, meaning you’ll be easily able to bring multiple devices back to life in no time.
You’d like a splash of personality It’s quite rare that a wall charger exudes any kind of personality and I love the originality from UGreen here. There’s a fun selection of emojis available here, including eating, smiling and blushing and I can’t lie, I got a lot of joy out of watching these play out.
Don't buy it if…
You only need to charge your phone If you only need to revitalize your handset after a long day of scrolling, there’s no need to spend this much money. There are a bunch of high-quality chargers out there for less than half the price of this robotic guy – one of my personal picks would be the excellent Anker Nano USB-C Wall Charger (30W). If you really want emojis though, it may still be worth splashing the cash on the Uno Charger 100W.
You’re on a very tight budget This charger has a list price of $59.99, and even if that’s solid value-wise, it’s still a fair amount to shell out for a charger. There are some decent, cheap multi-port options out there too, for example, the UGreen USB-C 40W.
UGreen Uno Charger 100W review: also consider
Anker Prime 100W GaN Wall Charger (3 Ports) In terms of basic functionality, this is very similar to the UGreen Uno Charger 100W. Anker’s alternative only has three ports and costs a bit more too, but it does have excellent build quality with sturdy outer casing. So, if you’re not a fan of the quirky robo-display, this could be a more appropriate choice for you. Read our full Anker Prime 100W GaN Wall Charger (3 Ports) review.View Deal
Have you ever wished your charger could express its deepest, most heartfelt emotions? Perhaps you wondered how it really feels while it juices up your devices? OK, maybe you haven’t. But even so, the UGreen Uno Charger 100W is sure to put a smile on your face with its charming expressions and super-fast charging, which make it a standout product in a competitive market.
Something that’s amazing about the UGreen Uno Charger 100W is that you get four charging ports, three of which are USB-C with the other being USB-A. This means that even if your phone, laptop, wireless headphones and tablet (just for example) need juicing up, you can get all of them back to life simultaneously. It’s worth mentioning, however, that the UGreen Uno Charger 100W doesn’t come with any charging cables, so you’ll need to acquire these separately.
So how does it fare charging-wise? Very well indeed. I attempted to charge the Samsung Galaxy A35 via a USB-C port while charging three other devices in the remaining slots. And luckily, it got back to full power in the expected timeframe of one hour and 30 minutes – that’s in-line with some of the best iPhone chargers and best Android phone chargers. However, if you’re not using all of the ports, power output can scale to fit your device’s requirements. For instance, the top two USB-C ports can deliver up to 100W each (if only one is being used at a time), making this a great choice if you want to charge more demanding devices.
But I’ll be honest, reader, I know why you’re here…you want to hear about the Uno Charger’s emotive display. And it works very nicely. The charger is bursting with emotions – from joyful, through surprised, to flushed. And there are a few more too, for instance, the Uno Charger sometimes assumes an eating animation when in-use or displays a ‘cool’ emoji when a device is fully charged. Am I easily amused? Perhaps so, but given this is nothing but a charger, I appreciated the personality UGreen injected into this product.
Other design choices are strong too. The placement of USB ports on top of the robot is practical and it’s a decently compact charger overall given the amount of power it can supply. And although prongs aren’t foldable, you can insert them into something of a sheath – or should I say the robot’s lower half. That’s right: when you remove the charger from the lower half you’re actually taking away his legs and feet. A bit mean really.
So, I actually have very little in the way of complaints. I would argue that the display isn’t super-bright, so at more awkward angles it might be slightly harder to ascertain the robot’s emotion. It could be fun too, if there was a button to manually change emojis, or perhaps even see power usage between the different ports – but these are very nitpicky complaints/suggestions.
Finally, I know this may not be the cheapest charger on the market, but when it comes to value it performs nicely. For instance, the Anker Prime 100W GaN Wall Charger (3 Ports) has one less port, the same maximum power output, but lacks any kind of display – not to mention it has a considerably higher list price. So overall, you’re getting a stellar product with the UGreen Uno Charger 100W – great performance, versatile charging options, strong value, and a fun, original design. It really doesn’t get much better.
(Image credit: Future)
UGreen Uno Charger 100W review: Price & specs
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the UGreen Uno Charger 100W?
Buy it if…
You want super-fast, multi-port charging The UGreen Uno Charger 100W boasts four charging ports, one of which is USB-A, the rest USB-C. On top of that, it has a very solid maximum power output of 100W, meaning you’ll be easily able to bring multiple devices back to life in no time.
You’d like a splash of personality It’s quite rare that a wall charger exudes any kind of personality and I love the originality from UGreen here. There’s a fun selection of emojis available here, including eating, smiling and blushing and I can’t lie, I got a lot of joy out of watching these play out.
Don't buy it if…
You only need to charge your phone If you only need to revitalize your handset after a long day of scrolling, there’s no need to spend this much money. There are a bunch of high-quality chargers out there for less than half the price of this robotic guy – one of my personal picks would be the excellent Anker Nano USB-C Wall Charger (30W). If you really want emojis though, it may still be worth splashing the cash on the Uno Charger 100W.
You’re on a very tight budget This charger has a list price of $59.99, and even if that’s solid value-wise, it’s still a fair amount to shell out for a charger. There are some decent, cheap multi-port options out there too, for example, the UGreen USB-C 40W.
UGreen Uno Charger 100W review: also consider
Anker Prime 100W GaN Wall Charger (3 Ports) In terms of basic functionality, this is very similar to the UGreen Uno Charger 100W. Anker’s alternative only has three ports and costs a bit more too, but it does have excellent build quality with sturdy outer casing. So, if you’re not a fan of the quirky robo-display, this could be a more appropriate choice for you. Read our full Anker Prime 100W GaN Wall Charger (3 Ports) review.View Deal
Honor's Magic 6 Pro made a splash last year, debuting at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) expo in February with a massive battery, a unique camera system, and some novel software features. Now, the brand is back with its flagship offering for 2025, and it's hoping to one-up itself in every department.
The Honor Magic 7 Pro has adopted a more boxy design for 2025, as is the trend, and it now has flat side rails and subtle symmetrical ‘micro curves’ at the edge of its display. The camera bump is less outlandish, too, and the ‘squircle’ bezel has been toned down to make less of a statement. Overall, I think it's an improvement.
The camera hardware is mostly the same, but the telephoto has a few more megapixels and can now get you even closer to distant subjects. These cameras can take fantastic photos, but the image processing is a little inconsistent, and I got more blurry images than usual. Hopefully, this will be tweaked in future firmware updates. The Studio Harcourt portrait mode, developed in collaboration with the legendary Paris photography studio, never failed to impress, at least.
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The battery on this model is even larger than the one in the Magic 6 Pro, and this is easily one of the longest-lasting flagship phones I’ve tested. You can get two days on a full charge without trying particularly hard, and when it's time to charge you can get topped up in a flash, with the Magic 7 Pro supporting up to 100W charging with a cable and 80W with the right wireless charger.
Performance is exceptional. You get the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, plus a suite of software enhancements and an NPU (neural processing unit) co-processor to keep games running smoothly. Honor's Magic OS 9 adds some useful features like Magic Portal, as well as relatively new AI features that have already become familiar favorites, like Circle to Search and Google Gemini.
Overall, this is a superb phone, with a great balance of specs and features that make it a pleasure to use. The software won't be to everyone's taste, and the camera could use some tweaking, but otherwise, this is easily one of the finest flagship phones available today.
Honor Magic 7 Pro review: Price and availability
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Costs £1,099.99
Available in the UK and Europe, but not the US or Australia
The Honor Magic 7 Pro is available to order now in most regions. As usual, though, the list excludes the US and Australia, so our stateside readers will need to import if they want to get in on the action.
The Magic 7 Pro costs £1,099 in the UK, the exact same price as its predecessor. This means it's more expensive than the Oppo Find X8 Pro and Apple iPhone 16 Pro, but a little cheaper than the Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. That said, the latter phone can currently be purchased for the same price, as it’s been on the market for a while.
Given such premium pricing, Honor will need to impress on all fronts if it’s to remain competitive, and thanks to a pretty stacked spec sheet it could well justify that lofty sum. Plus, Honor always has bundle offers on its devices, so nabbing a few freebies could make the price more palatable.
Value score: 3 / 5
Honor Magic 7 Pro review: Specs
Here's a look at the Honor Magic 7 Pro's key specs:
Honor Magic 7 Pro review: Design
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Velvety-feeling matte glass back
Breeze Blue, Black, and Lunar Shadow Grey options
IP68/IP69 dust- and water-resistant
The Honor Magic 7 Pro follows the recent design trend that we've seen with devices like the Vivo X200 Pro and Oppo Find X8 Pro. It ditches the lateral curves of its predecessor in favor of a boxier design. The side rails are completely flat, with beveled edges, while the front and back are mostly flat, with symmetrical ‘micro curves’ on all sides.
The result is a phone that feels a little thicker than Magic 6 Pro, but at the same time it feels premium and confidence-inspiring. It's a similar size to its predecessor, just less curvy, and if you've used any other recent Android flagship, you'll feel right at home.
The global version is available in three colorways: Breeze Blue, Black and Lunar Shadow Grey. There are no vegan leather variants this time around, with all options featuring a velvety-feeling matte glass rear. The Lunar Shadow Grey option is the most striking in my opinion, with a marble-like texture running across the back panel that becomes more visible as the light catches it.
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There's still a large circular and centrally-placed camera island, and it's still surrounded by a ‘squircle’-shaped bezel. However, this time the bezel is decidedly more circular, and it looks a little less outlandish than the Magic 6 Pro did.
The Honor Magic 7 Pro is rated IP68/IP69 for dust and water resistance, which means that as well as being able to handle submersion in freshwater, it can also withstand jets of hot water up to 176F / 80C. I'm not sure when that would ever come in useful, but hey, if you want to scroll Instagram in the shower, your phone should survive it.
Design score: 4 / 5
Honor Magic 7 Pro review: Display
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6.8-inch quad-curved 120Hz OLED display
4320Hz PWM dimming
5000 nits peak brightness
The Honor Magic 7 Pro has a 6.8-inch display with a dynamic refresh rate that can shift from 1Hz to 120Hz as needed. It's a mostly flat panel, and the curves only start around the bezels of the display. The result is a screen that resembles an over-filled glass of water.
I’ve never been a huge fan of curved screens – they can invite accidental touches, and cause odd reflections and color shifts at the edges. There's no denying that they feel nice under your fingertips when using gesture controls, though. These new ‘micro curve’ displays offer the best of both worlds, as you get the smooth feel of a curved display without the usual drawbacks. I'm a convert.
The display is covered with Honor's NanoCrystal Shield glass, and after spending months with the Honor Magic 6 RSR (that’s the Porsche Design version of the Magic 6 Pro) last year, I'm confident in saying it's one of the most scratch-resistant coatings in the business. It's also supposedly 10 times more drop-resistant than traditional glass screens, and while I haven't tested that, it's good to know, especially as there's no case included in the box.
A new addition to this model is a layer of circular polarization, which makes the screen slightly less reflective and is easier on the eyes. In theory, according to Honor, it can reduce eye fatigue by up to 16%.
When it comes to brightness, the Honor Magic 7 Pro has lumens to spare. It can peak at a whopping 5000 nits in certain conditions, which means HDR content looks exceptional, and you'll never have trouble seeing it.
As usual, the brand has put plenty of effort into eye-care features. The PWM (pulse-width modulation) dimming rate is one of the highest I've ever seen, topping out at 4320Hz. You'll never have to worry about flicker on this panel, and if that's not enough you can activate eye comfort and low-blue-light modes to keep your peepers feeling fresh.
There's a 3D ultrasonic fingerprint sensor under the display, and a pill-shaped camera cutout housing a 3D face unlock camera. Apparently, this is the first phone to come with both, and it's very convenient. I especially like being able to log into banking apps using my face, and for me that's worth the slightly larger camera cutout.
Display score: 5 / 5
Honor Magic 7 Pro review: Cameras
(Image credit: Future)
50MP main (f/1.4-2.0)
200MP 3x telephoto (f/2.6)
50MP ultra-wide (f/2.0)
Most of the cameras on the Magic 7 Pro share their specifications with its predecessors’. The main camera still has a 50MP 1/1.3-inch sensor, and a mechanically adjustable aperture that shifts between f/1.4 and f/2. The ultra-wide and selfie cameras seem to be unchanged, too. Both have a 50MP resolution and a f/2 lens.
The telephoto, however, has changed more significantly. The Magic 6 Pro had a 180MP 2.5x optical zoom telephoto snapper, while the Magic 7 Pro upgrades that to a 200MP unit with a 3x lens. It's one of the largest telephoto sensors on the market at 1/1.4-inch, and it's also one of the fastest telephoto cameras, with an f/2.6 aperture.
These days I find myself using the telephoto camera on my smartphone as often, if not more, than the main camera, so I'm pleased to see telephoto specs that come close to matching those of the primary snapper.
I'm still not fully convinced that we need so many megapixels, though. The idea is that you can digitally zoom further with less of a drop in quality, as the high pixel count makes up the difference. In reality, though, it doesn't seem to work so well.
I said the same thing about the Honor Magic 6 Pro, and while this model is an improvement (due to the longer optical focal length) zooming past 10x or so delivers middling and inconsistent results.
Honor's solution to this is something called AI SuperZoom, and it kicks in beyond 30x zoom to clean up your images. At times the results can be quite impressive, but the downsides are plain to see. Images tend to have that watercolor-like effect to them, and sometimes details that don't exist in reality are added in.
I've recently been shooting with the Oppo Find X8 Pro, which has an almost identical feature, but it seems to work a little better than Honor's attempt. In fairness, Honor says this feature is in its infancy, and it will mature and improve over time. It's also worth noting that it requires an internet connection to function, while Oppo's equivalent is processed on-device.
Another new feature in the camera department is the addition of the Studio Harcourt portrait styles that we first saw on the Honor 200 Pro. If you like taking portraits, this is a serious upgrade. The color tuning and blur effects are just as stunning here, and they're only enhanced further by the higher-fidelity optics. The only downside is that, as on the 200 Pro, the feature is restricted to the main and telephoto cameras, so you can't use these effects on your selfies.
All in all, this is a very capable camera system, and it can deliver outstanding shots in all lighting conditions. When it hits, it's among the best camera systems on the market, but it's not the most consistent.
Maybe it's just the pre-release software on the phone I’ve been testing, but I got a lot more blurry shots than I'm used to, and the image processing often pushed the sharpening too far, while blues and greens became over-exaggerated, even when using the Natural picture style.
These problems are all fixable, and I hope we see them addressed in future firmware updates. As it stands, the hardware is impeccable, but the inconsistent processing sometimes leaves you guessing as to how your photos will turn out.
Cameras score: 4 / 5
Honor Magic 7 Pro review: Camera samples
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Honor Magic 7 Pro review: Performance and software
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Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset
12GB RAM and 512GB storage
Magic OS 9, based on Android 15
The Honor Magic 7 Pro is powered by Qualcomm's most powerful chipset, the Snapdragon 8 Elite, so you would expect impressive performance. There's only one configuration available on the global market, which comes with 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, which should be more than enough to satisfy most users.
Honor has taken things a step further with this phone by utilizing the power of its onboard NPU to further improve performance. The phone has something called an AI Predictive Scheduling Engine, and exactly what that does is a little above my comprehension level, but I think it's a bit like DLSS on a gaming PC.
All you need to know is that, with the aid of some new features in the game overlay, you can achieve better image fidelity and higher framerates without adding additional load to the GPU. This means that you can game at higher settings, with less battery drain and lower temperatures.
In practice, it seems to work exactly as advertised. I played Genshin Impact at maximum settings for a couple of hours, and the phone had no trouble maintaining a solid 60fps. It remained shockingly cool under the pressure – cooler to the touch than even the gaming-specific ROG Phone 9 Pro, in fact.
The gaming experience is also enhanced by a very capable set of speakers. They might be the most bassy speakers ever to grace a smartphone, thanks to an integrated subwoofer and ultra-large sound cavity design, and they really add some oomph to in-game sound effects.
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The Magic 7 Pro runs Magic OS 9, a highly customized version of Android 15, and it's a bit divisive. Personally, I've become quite fond of Magic OS, but it's a very different experience from stock Android. The notifications shade and quick settings menu are split, like they are on iOS, and navigating the system can be a little challenging if you're coming from a phone that offers a more traditional Android experience, like a Google Pixel.
Aside from the layout changes, Honor has heaped on plenty of extra functionality. My personal favorite is Magic Portal, which allows you to select text or an image on your screen and drag it into another app for quick sharing or searching. This feature is now even easier to access, as you can circle things with your knuckle to quickly select them.
You also get plenty of AI-powered features, of course. There's nothing too novel here, but it's all pretty useful. There's an AI translator, the ability to format and transcribe notes with AI, and an array of AI-powered image-editing tools. At some point soon the phone will also use AI to automatically protect you from deepfake video chats – I can't say I've ever received one, but the extra peace of mind is always nice.
Also new this year is the inclusion of Circle to Search and Google Gemini as the default voice assistant. It's getting to the point where most Android phones come with these features, but they’re still worth mentioning because they're great, and I very much miss them when they're not there.
Performance score: 5 / 5
Software score: 3 / 5
Honor Magic 7 Pro review: Battery
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5,850mAh silicon-carbon battery
100W wired charging
80W wireless charging
There's a lot to love about the Honor Magic 7 Pro, but for me, the best thing might be the battery life. I tested this phone after spending lots of time with the Vivo X200 Pro, which has a mammoth 6,000mAh battery, so I wasn't expecting to be amazed by this slightly smaller 5,850mAh unit – but I was.
Honor has clearly optimized its software very well, and I was able to manage two days on a full charge without even trying. And I managed that more than once, and that's with lots of screen time, navigating maps, shooting lots of photos, and streaming content. It’s just brilliant.
We’ve seen some Chinese manufacturers dial back their charging speeds for this generation, but not Honor. Here you get an impressive 100W wired charging rate, and a staggering 80W with Honor's Wireless SuperCharger.
Unfortunately, there's no charger in the box, but I happened to have the right kit to charge at max speed, and it makes living with this phone extremely convenient. If you have the requisite charger, a wired charge from flat to full takes less than 35 minutes, while a wireless charge can be achieved in less than 45 minutes.
Battery score: 5 / 5
Should you buy the Honor Magic 7 Pro?
Buy it if...
You want flagship power and long battery life With most phones, you have to decide between long battery life and raw power, but not with the Magic 7 Pro. It's supremely powerful and can still last two days between charges.
You love taking portrait shots The Studio Harcourt portrait mode is among the most impressive that I've tried. I loved it when it first debuted with the Honor 200 Pro, and it's just as good here.
You love a nice display The Honor Magic 7 Pro has easily one of the nicest screens in the business. It's bright, vibrant, extremely scratch-resistant, and has more eye-care features than most.
Don't buy it if...
You love generative AI Honor has been steadily adding more AI features to its operating system, but they're a little basic compared to some of the competition.
You're looking for the classic Android experience Magic OS makes so many tweaks and adjustments to Android 15 that it almost feels like a completely different operating system. I quite like it, but fans of stock Android might have a hard time adjusting.
Honor Magic 7 Pro review: Also consider
The Honor Magic 7 Pro is an excellent all-rounder with a brilliant camera, but the competition is fierce. If you're not sure this is the handset for you, it's worth checking out these competitors.
Oppo Find X8 Pro
The Oppo Find X8 Pro is a similarly feature-stacked Android flagship with a heavy focus on cameras. It offers an extra telephoto lens, a dedicated camera button and has better consistency with its photos. It has an even bigger battery, but in my experience, the Honor still lasts longer.
Android flagships may have Apple beat when it comes to camera specifications, but for video shooting, the iPhone 16 Pro Max reigns supreme. It has amazing stabilization, ProRes recording, and can shoot 4K slow motion at 120fps. The new Camera Control button is fun to play around with, too.
Testing included: everyday use including web browsing, social media, photography, video calling, gaming, streaming video, music playback
Tools used: Geekbench 6, 3DMark, GFXBench, native Android stats, Honor 100W charger, and wireless SuperCharge stand
I put my SIM card into the Honor Magic 7 Pro and lived with it as my main phone for around two weeks before reaching any conclusions. I used it exactly as I would any other phone, taking lots of photos, gaming, messaging, working, streaming video, and navigating with Google Maps and Waze.
I also compared the experience of playing graphically challenging games like Zenless Zone Zero, Genshin Impact, and PUBG Mobile to my experience with other Android flagships like the Oppo Find X8 Pro, Vivo X200 Pro, and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. I also ran multiple benchmarks on the handset using 3DMark, GFXbench, and Geekbench.
I assessed the battery performance based on my real-world usage and charging times were measured using an official Honor 100W wall adapter and cable. I also tested the wireless charging capabilities with Honor’s Wireless 100W SuperCharge stand.
Honor's Magic 6 Pro made a splash last year, debuting at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) expo in February with a massive battery, a unique camera system, and some novel software features. Now, the brand is back with its flagship offering for 2025, and it's hoping to one-up itself in every department.
The Honor Magic 7 Pro has adopted a more boxy design for 2025, as is the trend, and it now has flat side rails and subtle symmetrical ‘micro curves’ at the edge of its display. The camera bump is less outlandish, too, and the ‘squircle’ bezel has been toned down to make less of a statement. Overall, I think it's an improvement.
The camera hardware is mostly the same, but the telephoto has a few more megapixels and can now get you even closer to distant subjects. These cameras can take fantastic photos, but the image processing is a little inconsistent, and I got more blurry images than usual. Hopefully, this will be tweaked in future firmware updates. The Studio Harcourt portrait mode, developed in collaboration with the legendary Paris photography studio, never failed to impress, at least.
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The battery on this model is even larger than the one in the Magic 6 Pro, and this is easily one of the longest-lasting flagship phones I’ve tested. You can get two days on a full charge without trying particularly hard, and when it's time to charge you can get topped up in a flash, with the Magic 7 Pro supporting up to 100W charging with a cable and 80W with the right wireless charger.
Performance is exceptional. You get the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, plus a suite of software enhancements and an NPU (neural processing unit) co-processor to keep games running smoothly. Honor's Magic OS 9 adds some useful features like Magic Portal, as well as relatively new AI features that have already become familiar favorites, like Circle to Search and Google Gemini.
Overall, this is a superb phone, with a great balance of specs and features that make it a pleasure to use. The software won't be to everyone's taste, and the camera could use some tweaking, but otherwise, this is easily one of the finest flagship phones available today.
Honor Magic 7 Pro review: Price and availability
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Costs £1,099.99
Available in the UK and Europe, but not the US or Australia
The Honor Magic 7 Pro is available to order now in most regions. As usual, though, the list excludes the US and Australia, so our stateside readers will need to import if they want to get in on the action.
The Magic 7 Pro costs £1,099 in the UK, the exact same price as its predecessor. This means it's more expensive than the Oppo Find X8 Pro and Apple iPhone 16 Pro, but a little cheaper than the Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. That said, the latter phone can currently be purchased for the same price, as it’s been on the market for a while.
Given such premium pricing, Honor will need to impress on all fronts if it’s to remain competitive, and thanks to a pretty stacked spec sheet it could well justify that lofty sum. Plus, Honor always has bundle offers on its devices, so nabbing a few freebies could make the price more palatable.
Value score: 3 / 5
Honor Magic 7 Pro review: Specs
Here's a look at the Honor Magic 7 Pro's key specs:
Honor Magic 7 Pro review: Design
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Velvety-feeling matte glass back
Breeze Blue, Black, and Lunar Shadow Grey options
IP68/IP69 dust- and water-resistant
The Honor Magic 7 Pro follows the recent design trend that we've seen with devices like the Vivo X200 Pro and Oppo Find X8 Pro. It ditches the lateral curves of its predecessor in favor of a boxier design. The side rails are completely flat, with beveled edges, while the front and back are mostly flat, with symmetrical ‘micro curves’ on all sides.
The result is a phone that feels a little thicker than Magic 6 Pro, but at the same time it feels premium and confidence-inspiring. It's a similar size to its predecessor, just less curvy, and if you've used any other recent Android flagship, you'll feel right at home.
The global version is available in three colorways: Breeze Blue, Black and Lunar Shadow Grey. There are no vegan leather variants this time around, with all options featuring a velvety-feeling matte glass rear. The Lunar Shadow Grey option is the most striking in my opinion, with a marble-like texture running across the back panel that becomes more visible as the light catches it.
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There's still a large circular and centrally-placed camera island, and it's still surrounded by a ‘squircle’-shaped bezel. However, this time the bezel is decidedly more circular, and it looks a little less outlandish than the Magic 6 Pro did.
The Honor Magic 7 Pro is rated IP68/IP69 for dust and water resistance, which means that as well as being able to handle submersion in freshwater, it can also withstand jets of hot water up to 176F / 80C. I'm not sure when that would ever come in useful, but hey, if you want to scroll Instagram in the shower, your phone should survive it.
Design score: 4 / 5
Honor Magic 7 Pro review: Display
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6.8-inch quad-curved 120Hz OLED display
4320Hz PWM dimming
5000 nits peak brightness
The Honor Magic 7 Pro has a 6.8-inch display with a dynamic refresh rate that can shift from 1Hz to 120Hz as needed. It's a mostly flat panel, and the curves only start around the bezels of the display. The result is a screen that resembles an over-filled glass of water.
I’ve never been a huge fan of curved screens – they can invite accidental touches, and cause odd reflections and color shifts at the edges. There's no denying that they feel nice under your fingertips when using gesture controls, though. These new ‘micro curve’ displays offer the best of both worlds, as you get the smooth feel of a curved display without the usual drawbacks. I'm a convert.
The display is covered with Honor's NanoCrystal Shield glass, and after spending months with the Honor Magic 6 RSR (that’s the Porsche Design version of the Magic 6 Pro) last year, I'm confident in saying it's one of the most scratch-resistant coatings in the business. It's also supposedly 10 times more drop-resistant than traditional glass screens, and while I haven't tested that, it's good to know, especially as there's no case included in the box.
A new addition to this model is a layer of circular polarization, which makes the screen slightly less reflective and is easier on the eyes. In theory, according to Honor, it can reduce eye fatigue by up to 16%.
When it comes to brightness, the Honor Magic 7 Pro has lumens to spare. It can peak at a whopping 5000 nits in certain conditions, which means HDR content looks exceptional, and you'll never have trouble seeing it.
As usual, the brand has put plenty of effort into eye-care features. The PWM (pulse-width modulation) dimming rate is one of the highest I've ever seen, topping out at 4320Hz. You'll never have to worry about flicker on this panel, and if that's not enough you can activate eye comfort and low-blue-light modes to keep your peepers feeling fresh.
There's a 3D ultrasonic fingerprint sensor under the display, and a pill-shaped camera cutout housing a 3D face unlock camera. Apparently, this is the first phone to come with both, and it's very convenient. I especially like being able to log into banking apps using my face, and for me that's worth the slightly larger camera cutout.
Display score: 5 / 5
Honor Magic 7 Pro review: Cameras
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50MP main (f/1.4-2.0)
200MP 3x telephoto (f/2.6)
50MP ultra-wide (f/2.0)
Most of the cameras on the Magic 7 Pro share their specifications with its predecessors’. The main camera still has a 50MP 1/1.3-inch sensor, and a mechanically adjustable aperture that shifts between f/1.4 and f/2. The ultra-wide and selfie cameras seem to be unchanged, too. Both have a 50MP resolution and a f/2 lens.
The telephoto, however, has changed more significantly. The Magic 6 Pro had a 180MP 2.5x optical zoom telephoto snapper, while the Magic 7 Pro upgrades that to a 200MP unit with a 3x lens. It's one of the largest telephoto sensors on the market at 1/1.4-inch, and it's also one of the fastest telephoto cameras, with an f/2.6 aperture.
These days I find myself using the telephoto camera on my smartphone as often, if not more, than the main camera, so I'm pleased to see telephoto specs that come close to matching those of the primary snapper.
I'm still not fully convinced that we need so many megapixels, though. The idea is that you can digitally zoom further with less of a drop in quality, as the high pixel count makes up the difference. In reality, though, it doesn't seem to work so well.
I said the same thing about the Honor Magic 6 Pro, and while this model is an improvement (due to the longer optical focal length) zooming past 10x or so delivers middling and inconsistent results.
Honor's solution to this is something called AI SuperZoom, and it kicks in beyond 30x zoom to clean up your images. At times the results can be quite impressive, but the downsides are plain to see. Images tend to have that watercolor-like effect to them, and sometimes details that don't exist in reality are added in.
I've recently been shooting with the Oppo Find X8 Pro, which has an almost identical feature, but it seems to work a little better than Honor's attempt. In fairness, Honor says this feature is in its infancy, and it will mature and improve over time. It's also worth noting that it requires an internet connection to function, while Oppo's equivalent is processed on-device.
Another new feature in the camera department is the addition of the Studio Harcourt portrait styles that we first saw on the Honor 200 Pro. If you like taking portraits, this is a serious upgrade. The color tuning and blur effects are just as stunning here, and they're only enhanced further by the higher-fidelity optics. The only downside is that, as on the 200 Pro, the feature is restricted to the main and telephoto cameras, so you can't use these effects on your selfies.
All in all, this is a very capable camera system, and it can deliver outstanding shots in all lighting conditions. When it hits, it's among the best camera systems on the market, but it's not the most consistent.
Maybe it's just the pre-release software on the phone I’ve been testing, but I got a lot more blurry shots than I'm used to, and the image processing often pushed the sharpening too far, while blues and greens became over-exaggerated, even when using the Natural picture style.
These problems are all fixable, and I hope we see them addressed in future firmware updates. As it stands, the hardware is impeccable, but the inconsistent processing sometimes leaves you guessing as to how your photos will turn out.
Cameras score: 4 / 5
Honor Magic 7 Pro review: Camera samples
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Honor Magic 7 Pro review: Performance and software
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Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset
12GB RAM and 512GB storage
Magic OS 9, based on Android 15
The Honor Magic 7 Pro is powered by Qualcomm's most powerful chipset, the Snapdragon 8 Elite, so you would expect impressive performance. There's only one configuration available on the global market, which comes with 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, which should be more than enough to satisfy most users.
Honor has taken things a step further with this phone by utilizing the power of its onboard NPU to further improve performance. The phone has something called an AI Predictive Scheduling Engine, and exactly what that does is a little above my comprehension level, but I think it's a bit like DLSS on a gaming PC.
All you need to know is that, with the aid of some new features in the game overlay, you can achieve better image fidelity and higher framerates without adding additional load to the GPU. This means that you can game at higher settings, with less battery drain and lower temperatures.
In practice, it seems to work exactly as advertised. I played Genshin Impact at maximum settings for a couple of hours, and the phone had no trouble maintaining a solid 60fps. It remained shockingly cool under the pressure – cooler to the touch than even the gaming-specific ROG Phone 9 Pro, in fact.
The gaming experience is also enhanced by a very capable set of speakers. They might be the most bassy speakers ever to grace a smartphone, thanks to an integrated subwoofer and ultra-large sound cavity design, and they really add some oomph to in-game sound effects.
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The Magic 7 Pro runs Magic OS 9, a highly customized version of Android 15, and it's a bit divisive. Personally, I've become quite fond of Magic OS, but it's a very different experience from stock Android. The notifications shade and quick settings menu are split, like they are on iOS, and navigating the system can be a little challenging if you're coming from a phone that offers a more traditional Android experience, like a Google Pixel.
Aside from the layout changes, Honor has heaped on plenty of extra functionality. My personal favorite is Magic Portal, which allows you to select text or an image on your screen and drag it into another app for quick sharing or searching. This feature is now even easier to access, as you can circle things with your knuckle to quickly select them.
You also get plenty of AI-powered features, of course. There's nothing too novel here, but it's all pretty useful. There's an AI translator, the ability to format and transcribe notes with AI, and an array of AI-powered image-editing tools. At some point soon the phone will also use AI to automatically protect you from deepfake video chats – I can't say I've ever received one, but the extra peace of mind is always nice.
Also new this year is the inclusion of Circle to Search and Google Gemini as the default voice assistant. It's getting to the point where most Android phones come with these features, but they’re still worth mentioning because they're great, and I very much miss them when they're not there.
Performance score: 5 / 5
Software score: 3 / 5
Honor Magic 7 Pro review: Battery
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5,850mAh silicon-carbon battery
100W wired charging
80W wireless charging
There's a lot to love about the Honor Magic 7 Pro, but for me, the best thing might be the battery life. I tested this phone after spending lots of time with the Vivo X200 Pro, which has a mammoth 6,000mAh battery, so I wasn't expecting to be amazed by this slightly smaller 5,850mAh unit – but I was.
Honor has clearly optimized its software very well, and I was able to manage two days on a full charge without even trying. And I managed that more than once, and that's with lots of screen time, navigating maps, shooting lots of photos, and streaming content. It’s just brilliant.
We’ve seen some Chinese manufacturers dial back their charging speeds for this generation, but not Honor. Here you get an impressive 100W wired charging rate, and a staggering 80W with Honor's Wireless SuperCharger.
Unfortunately, there's no charger in the box, but I happened to have the right kit to charge at max speed, and it makes living with this phone extremely convenient. If you have the requisite charger, a wired charge from flat to full takes less than 35 minutes, while a wireless charge can be achieved in less than 45 minutes.
Battery score: 5 / 5
Should you buy the Honor Magic 7 Pro?
Buy it if...
You want flagship power and long battery life With most phones, you have to decide between long battery life and raw power, but not with the Magic 7 Pro. It's supremely powerful and can still last two days between charges.
You love taking portrait shots The Studio Harcourt portrait mode is among the most impressive that I've tried. I loved it when it first debuted with the Honor 200 Pro, and it's just as good here.
You love a nice display The Honor Magic 7 Pro has easily one of the nicest screens in the business. It's bright, vibrant, extremely scratch-resistant, and has more eye-care features than most.
Don't buy it if...
You love generative AI Honor has been steadily adding more AI features to its operating system, but they're a little basic compared to some of the competition.
You're looking for the classic Android experience Magic OS makes so many tweaks and adjustments to Android 15 that it almost feels like a completely different operating system. I quite like it, but fans of stock Android might have a hard time adjusting.
Honor Magic 7 Pro review: Also consider
The Honor Magic 7 Pro is an excellent all-rounder with a brilliant camera, but the competition is fierce. If you're not sure this is the handset for you, it's worth checking out these competitors.
Oppo Find X8 Pro
The Oppo Find X8 Pro is a similarly feature-stacked Android flagship with a heavy focus on cameras. It offers an extra telephoto lens, a dedicated camera button and has better consistency with its photos. It has an even bigger battery, but in my experience, the Honor still lasts longer.
Android flagships may have Apple beat when it comes to camera specifications, but for video shooting, the iPhone 16 Pro Max reigns supreme. It has amazing stabilization, ProRes recording, and can shoot 4K slow motion at 120fps. The new Camera Control button is fun to play around with, too.
Testing included: everyday use including web browsing, social media, photography, video calling, gaming, streaming video, music playback
Tools used: Geekbench 6, 3DMark, GFXBench, native Android stats, Honor 100W charger, and wireless SuperCharge stand
I put my SIM card into the Honor Magic 7 Pro and lived with it as my main phone for around two weeks before reaching any conclusions. I used it exactly as I would any other phone, taking lots of photos, gaming, messaging, working, streaming video, and navigating with Google Maps and Waze.
I also compared the experience of playing graphically challenging games like Zenless Zone Zero, Genshin Impact, and PUBG Mobile to my experience with other Android flagships like the Oppo Find X8 Pro, Vivo X200 Pro, and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. I also ran multiple benchmarks on the handset using 3DMark, GFXbench, and Geekbench.
I assessed the battery performance based on my real-world usage and charging times were measured using an official Honor 100W wall adapter and cable. I also tested the wireless charging capabilities with Honor’s Wireless 100W SuperCharge stand.
Not even a year since Insta360’s original Flow Pro smartphone stabilizer arrived on the market, and it already has a successor in the shape of the Flow 2 Pro. The new gimbal (perhaps unsurprisingly given the timeframe) doesn’t represent a huge leap forward, however – merely a logical progression in a few key areas.
This is another compact handheld gimbal for keeping an attached smartphone level and its movements smooth, enabling the user to capture more stable and professional-looking video footage while on foot or, with the gimbal perched on a flat surface thanks to its integrated tripod, use their phone like an automated camera operator, moving around while the gimbal uses its software to track and follow their movements, keeping them in the frame.
All the key advantages of the original model either remain untouched or improved upon, thankfully. The lightweight folding design, for instance, makes the Flow 2 Pro one of the most portable smartphone stabilizers around, just like the Flow Pro. And, like the Flow Pro, it features a magnetic clamping system that makes mounting your phone and deploying the gimbal and a refreshingly quick and painless process. The clamp grips securely to the sides of your phone, accommodating devices between 64mm and 84mm wide, and then simply sticks to the gimbal arm via its strong magnet, fixing into place with a satisfying ‘thunk’.
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(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
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(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
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(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
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(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
I think the design is even better this time around, though, because the Flow 2 Pro’s construction is tougher and more durable than that of its predecessor, even down to the built-in tripod legs being less awkward to pull out and providing a more stable platform for hands-free stabilization.
In its folded state the Flow 2 Pro is impressively small. I was even able to lug it around in my coat pocket, which isn’t something I could say for many of the other best smartphone gimbals. The basic bundle comes with a soft cloth drawstring bag for storage in such situations, but Insta360 also sells an optional hard-sided carry case with snug cut-outs for the gimbal, magnetic clamp and (also optional) fill light. This case, which comes with a removable shoulder strap and netted compartment space inside the lid for storing cables and other small accessories, is the ideal way to store the Flow 2 Pro when not in use, and I’d have liked it included in the basic package – but I suppose keeping it as an optional upgrade does hold the overall cost down for those who want to get in at the lowest price point.
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(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
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(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
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(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
As for the smartphone stabilization itself, I have no significant complaints at all – it all works brilliantly, and the Flow 2 Pro feels much more comfortable in my hand than the original Flow Pro. The three-axis gimbal can support handsets up to 300g in weight, stabilizing them using one of three modes: Follow (which follows both the pan and tilt movements of the user but keeps the roll axis fixed); Pan Follow (similar, but keeps both the tilt and roll axes fixed); and FPV (which follows the user’s movement on all three axes).
There’s also an Auto mode, which follows tilt and pan movements and adapts its sensitivity automatically in real-time, plus the option to fix all axes in place at any time by holding down the trigger on the handle. The sixth and final mode is Active Plus, which adds extra sensitivity and responsiveness to the above modes and is engaged by tapping, then holding down the trigger.
You can also manually move the gimbal using the on-handle controls, with the thumb stick supporting tilt and pan motion and, in FPV mode, the jog wheel controlling roll axis movement. Single tapping the trigger turns subject tracking on and off, double tapping resets the phone to a level central position and triple tapping spins the phone through 180º so that it faces the opposite direction to its current facing.
The minimalist circular control setup is similar to the Flow Pro’s, albeit with a few tweaks to aid ergonomics. It’s now slightly more tactile and the four mode lights for Auto, Follow, Pan Follow and FPV are situated at 12, 3, 6 and 9 o’clock on the circle rather than in a row at the top. The green indicator light, which pops on to tell you that tracking is in progress, is retained from the Flow Pro, as is the NFC tap point above it, which can be used for first-time one-tap pairing for both Android and Apple phones.
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(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
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(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
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(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
The 21cm extension stick, which expands out from the handle to create extra distance between the user and the phone, is retained from the previous model but a new Free Tilt option expands the Flow 2 Pro’s repertoire of motion. It moves the arm out of the way, which allowed me to capture upwards and downwards tilting shots I wouldn’t otherwise have been able to get.
On the software side of things, the Flow 2 Pro retains its Apple DockKit support, which means it can track subjects in over 200 iPhone camera apps, including the likes of BlackMagic Camera, TikTok and the iPhone’s own native camera app. Obviously this leaves Android users feeling a little short-changed in comparison, as the only way they can track on the Flow 2 Pro is via the Insta360 app.
However, the app is great – and I think delivers by far a smoother, smarter and more responsive tracking experience than any apps that use the DockKit integration. New tracking features added for the Flow 2 Pro include the ability to track groups of people, track while zoomed up to 15x and the Pro Framing Grid, which can modify tracking to keep the subject off-center in the frame for a more pleasing ‘golden ratio’ composition.
The app also includes support for Dolby Vision and Apple ProRes video recording, a new teleprompter option to help content creators stick to the script and support for remote control of the gimbal via a second smartphone or an Apple Watch. I like the idea of a remote control but having to pull out a second smartphone isn’t really ideal – so hopefully Insta360 will take inspiration from the Hohem iSteady M7’s integrated remote control for future stabilizers.
I did get the opportunity to try out a couple of the optional accessories such as the MagSafe mount, which is a much more elegant and slick mounting option than the spring-loaded magnetic grip and the LED fill light, which slots directly onto the gimbal arm’s USB-C output (which can also be used to top up your phone’s battery) and provides either warm, neutral or cool light in one of three intensities. It’s not as flexible as the LED that comes included on the Hohem M7, but it’s powerful enough to enable night-time vlogging, and can face both forwards and backwards.
With up to 10 hours of battery life, the Flow 2 Pro delivers roughly the same amount of use on a full charge as the original model. By the standards of small stabilizers, it’s good – and significantly longer than the 6.5 hours offered by the DJI Osmo 6 Mobile, its closest rival.
Insta360 Flow 2 Pro: Price and Availability
The Insta360 Flow 2 Pro is available to order from its launch day, 16 January 2025, in two bundles and two color finishes: Stone Grey and Summit White.
The Standard Bundle costs $159.99 / £144.99 / AU$239.99, and includes the Flow 2 Pro itself plus a magnetic clamp, USB-A to USB-C charging cable and soft storage back. The Creator Bundle costs $189.99 / £169.99 / AU$289.99, and includes all of the above plus a USB-C to USB-C charging cable, a magnetic phone mount for MagSafe iPhones and the Spotlight, a small fill light that clips directly to the gimbal arm.
This launch price is slightly higher than the launch price of original Flow Pro (which arrived in July 2024); taking into account inflation, however, I’d consider it roughly the same – although I would expect the original Flow Pro to fall in price now that its successor has arrived – the Flow 2 Pro’s most established rival, the DJI Osmo 6 Mobile, has already.
Insta360 Flow 2 Pro: specs
Insta360 Flow 2 Pro: Also Consider
DJI Osmo Mobile 6 We think DJI’s small folding gimbal feels nicer in the hand than the Flow 2 Pro, but in other areas the Insta360 has it beat thanks to longer battery life and, for Apple users at least, that all-important ability to track using third-party camera apps. We’d expect the upcoming Osmo Mobile 7 (or equivalent) to up its game sharply, however.
Hohem iSteady M7 While significantly pricier and bulkier than the Flow 2 Pro, the M7’s impeccable stabilization can balance phones up to 500g in weight. Even better, it comes with app-agnostic tracking via an AI camera module that doubles as a fully customizable fill light, plus a touchscreen module that works as a remote control.
*Our Hohem iSteady M7 review is in progress
Should I buy the Insta360 Flow 2 Pro?
(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
Buy it if...
You want the best small gimbal for iPhone The Flow 2 Pro’s Apple DockKit support grants it far more utility for iPhone users than its folding, compact competitors, allowing human subject tracking for over 200 iOS camera apps.
You travel light With its folding, lightweight build, which also manages to be reassuringly sturdy, the Flow 2 Pro is the perfect stabilizer with which to document your day trips and weekend breaks. It works as a power bank, selfie stick and tripod too!
Don't buy it if...
You want the best all-round tracking gimbal Larger, pricier stabilizers like the Hohem iSteady M7 and Zhiyun Smooth 5A AI feature AI tracking modules that allow them to track human subjects with any app for both Android and iPhone.
You already own the original Flow Pro The improvements here are notable, but not so valuable that it’s worth ditching your nearly new Flow Pro for the upgrade. If you own the original, our advice would be to wait until the Flow 3 Pro (or equivalent) comes along.
How I tested the Insta360 Flow 2 Pro
One week of use
Tested with iPhone 13 and various iOS apps
Used inside and outdoors both on tripod and in hand
I used the Insta360 Flow 2 Pro in and around my home for a week, using it to record footage both on the move and with it fixed it place via its built-in tripod. I tested it with my Apple iPhone 13 and a variety of camera apps – including the Insta360 app, BlackMagic Camera and the iPhone’s own native camera – to record b-roll and vlog-style videos.
Not even a year since Insta360’s original Flow Pro smartphone stabilizer arrived on the market, and it already has a successor in the shape of the Flow 2 Pro. The new gimbal (perhaps unsurprisingly given the timeframe) doesn’t represent a huge leap forward, however – merely a logical progression in a few key areas.
This is another compact handheld gimbal for keeping an attached smartphone level and its movements smooth, enabling the user to capture more stable and professional-looking video footage while on foot or, with the gimbal perched on a flat surface thanks to its integrated tripod, use their phone like an automated camera operator, moving around while the gimbal uses its software to track and follow their movements, keeping them in the frame.
All the key advantages of the original model either remain untouched or improved upon, thankfully. The lightweight folding design, for instance, makes the Flow 2 Pro one of the most portable smartphone stabilizers around, just like the Flow Pro. And, like the Flow Pro, it features a magnetic clamping system that makes mounting your phone and deploying the gimbal and a refreshingly quick and painless process. The clamp grips securely to the sides of your phone, accommodating devices between 64mm and 84mm wide, and then simply sticks to the gimbal arm via its strong magnet, fixing into place with a satisfying ‘thunk’.
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(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
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(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
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(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
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(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
I think the design is even better this time around, though, because the Flow 2 Pro’s construction is tougher and more durable than that of its predecessor, even down to the built-in tripod legs being less awkward to pull out and providing a more stable platform for hands-free stabilization.
In its folded state the Flow 2 Pro is impressively small. I was even able to lug it around in my coat pocket, which isn’t something I could say for many of the other best smartphone gimbals. The basic bundle comes with a soft cloth drawstring bag for storage in such situations, but Insta360 also sells an optional hard-sided carry case with snug cut-outs for the gimbal, magnetic clamp and (also optional) fill light. This case, which comes with a removable shoulder strap and netted compartment space inside the lid for storing cables and other small accessories, is the ideal way to store the Flow 2 Pro when not in use, and I’d have liked it included in the basic package – but I suppose keeping it as an optional upgrade does hold the overall cost down for those who want to get in at the lowest price point.
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(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
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(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
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(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
As for the smartphone stabilization itself, I have no significant complaints at all – it all works brilliantly, and the Flow 2 Pro feels much more comfortable in my hand than the original Flow Pro. The three-axis gimbal can support handsets up to 300g in weight, stabilizing them using one of three modes: Follow (which follows both the pan and tilt movements of the user but keeps the roll axis fixed); Pan Follow (similar, but keeps both the tilt and roll axes fixed); and FPV (which follows the user’s movement on all three axes).
There’s also an Auto mode, which follows tilt and pan movements and adapts its sensitivity automatically in real-time, plus the option to fix all axes in place at any time by holding down the trigger on the handle. The sixth and final mode is Active Plus, which adds extra sensitivity and responsiveness to the above modes and is engaged by tapping, then holding down the trigger.
You can also manually move the gimbal using the on-handle controls, with the thumb stick supporting tilt and pan motion and, in FPV mode, the jog wheel controlling roll axis movement. Single tapping the trigger turns subject tracking on and off, double tapping resets the phone to a level central position and triple tapping spins the phone through 180º so that it faces the opposite direction to its current facing.
The minimalist circular control setup is similar to the Flow Pro’s, albeit with a few tweaks to aid ergonomics. It’s now slightly more tactile and the four mode lights for Auto, Follow, Pan Follow and FPV are situated at 12, 3, 6 and 9 o’clock on the circle rather than in a row at the top. The green indicator light, which pops on to tell you that tracking is in progress, is retained from the Flow Pro, as is the NFC tap point above it, which can be used for first-time one-tap pairing for both Android and Apple phones.
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(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
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(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
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(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
The 21cm extension stick, which expands out from the handle to create extra distance between the user and the phone, is retained from the previous model but a new Free Tilt option expands the Flow 2 Pro’s repertoire of motion. It moves the arm out of the way, which allowed me to capture upwards and downwards tilting shots I wouldn’t otherwise have been able to get.
On the software side of things, the Flow 2 Pro retains its Apple DockKit support, which means it can track subjects in over 200 iPhone camera apps, including the likes of BlackMagic Camera, TikTok and the iPhone’s own native camera app. Obviously this leaves Android users feeling a little short-changed in comparison, as the only way they can track on the Flow 2 Pro is via the Insta360 app.
However, the app is great – and I think delivers by far a smoother, smarter and more responsive tracking experience than any apps that use the DockKit integration. New tracking features added for the Flow 2 Pro include the ability to track groups of people, track while zoomed up to 15x and the Pro Framing Grid, which can modify tracking to keep the subject off-center in the frame for a more pleasing ‘golden ratio’ composition.
The app also includes support for Dolby Vision and Apple ProRes video recording, a new teleprompter option to help content creators stick to the script and support for remote control of the gimbal via a second smartphone or an Apple Watch. I like the idea of a remote control but having to pull out a second smartphone isn’t really ideal – so hopefully Insta360 will take inspiration from the Hohem iSteady M7’s integrated remote control for future stabilizers.
I did get the opportunity to try out a couple of the optional accessories such as the MagSafe mount, which is a much more elegant and slick mounting option than the spring-loaded magnetic grip and the LED fill light, which slots directly onto the gimbal arm’s USB-C output (which can also be used to top up your phone’s battery) and provides either warm, neutral or cool light in one of three intensities. It’s not as flexible as the LED that comes included on the Hohem M7, but it’s powerful enough to enable night-time vlogging, and can face both forwards and backwards.
With up to 10 hours of battery life, the Flow 2 Pro delivers roughly the same amount of use on a full charge as the original model. By the standards of small stabilizers, it’s good – and significantly longer than the 6.5 hours offered by the DJI Osmo 6 Mobile, its closest rival.
Insta360 Flow 2 Pro: Price and Availability
The Insta360 Flow 2 Pro is available to order from its launch day, 16 January 2025, in two bundles and two color finishes: Stone Grey and Summit White.
The Standard Bundle costs $159.99 / £144.99 / AU$239.99, and includes the Flow 2 Pro itself plus a magnetic clamp, USB-A to USB-C charging cable and soft storage back. The Creator Bundle costs $189.99 / £169.99 / AU$289.99, and includes all of the above plus a USB-C to USB-C charging cable, a magnetic phone mount for MagSafe iPhones and the Spotlight, a small fill light that clips directly to the gimbal arm.
This launch price is slightly higher than the launch price of original Flow Pro (which arrived in July 2024); taking into account inflation, however, I’d consider it roughly the same – although I would expect the original Flow Pro to fall in price now that its successor has arrived – the Flow 2 Pro’s most established rival, the DJI Osmo 6 Mobile, has already.
Insta360 Flow 2 Pro: specs
Insta360 Flow 2 Pro: Also Consider
DJI Osmo Mobile 6 We think DJI’s small folding gimbal feels nicer in the hand than the Flow 2 Pro, but in other areas the Insta360 has it beat thanks to longer battery life and, for Apple users at least, that all-important ability to track using third-party camera apps. We’d expect the upcoming Osmo Mobile 7 (or equivalent) to up its game sharply, however.
Hohem iSteady M7 While significantly pricier and bulkier than the Flow 2 Pro, the M7’s impeccable stabilization can balance phones up to 500g in weight. Even better, it comes with app-agnostic tracking via an AI camera module that doubles as a fully customizable fill light, plus a touchscreen module that works as a remote control.
*Our Hohem iSteady M7 review is in progress
Should I buy the Insta360 Flow 2 Pro?
(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
Buy it if...
You want the best small gimbal for iPhone The Flow 2 Pro’s Apple DockKit support grants it far more utility for iPhone users than its folding, compact competitors, allowing human subject tracking for over 200 iOS camera apps.
You travel light With its folding, lightweight build, which also manages to be reassuringly sturdy, the Flow 2 Pro is the perfect stabilizer with which to document your day trips and weekend breaks. It works as a power bank, selfie stick and tripod too!
Don't buy it if...
You want the best all-round tracking gimbal Larger, pricier stabilizers like the Hohem iSteady M7 and Zhiyun Smooth 5A AI feature AI tracking modules that allow them to track human subjects with any app for both Android and iPhone.
You already own the original Flow Pro The improvements here are notable, but not so valuable that it’s worth ditching your nearly new Flow Pro for the upgrade. If you own the original, our advice would be to wait until the Flow 3 Pro (or equivalent) comes along.
How I tested the Insta360 Flow 2 Pro
One week of use
Tested with iPhone 13 and various iOS apps
Used inside and outdoors both on tripod and in hand
I used the Insta360 Flow 2 Pro in and around my home for a week, using it to record footage both on the move and with it fixed it place via its built-in tripod. I tested it with my Apple iPhone 13 and a variety of camera apps – including the Insta360 app, BlackMagic Camera and the iPhone’s own native camera – to record b-roll and vlog-style videos.
The OnePlus 13R builds on the winning formula of its predecessor, the OnePlus 12R, by delivering prolonged battery life, a dazzling display, and plenty of power in a slick, premium package.
Its price is not as competitively low as the brand’s earliest ‘flagship killers’, but if you’re after a flagship phone without the quite frankly eye-watering price tags that come with them, the OnePlus 13R delivers plenty while only compromising in a few small areas.
This is only the second time an R-Series handset has launched internationally; the initial ‘R’ branded devices (of series 9, 10, and 11) did not reach European or North American shores.
The OnePlus 13R is a less tricked-out – and thus more affordable – version of the flagship OnePlus 13 which launched alongside it. Think of this phone like Samsung’s ‘FE’ variants of its high-end S series and Google’s ‘A’ line of its Pixel phones.
(Image credit: Future)
The 6.78-inch display is colorful and sufficiently bright, making it easy to use even in direct sunlight. The screen is flat, and flush with the phone’s aluminium frame, which results in a pleasing viewing experience.
Meanwhile, the sizable 6,000mAh battery lasted me two days on a single charge, and even power users will get more than a day’s use from the OnePlus 13R before needing to reach for the charging cable. But reach for the cable you will, as there’s no wireless charging.
There’s plenty of power under the hood, with the previous flagship generation Snapdragon chipset at its heart, ably assisted by 12GB of RAM. It means the 13R can handle pretty much anything you throw at it.
While the trio of cameras on the rear may not have the very latest features of the current-gen flagships, it’s a great point-and-shoot camera that holds its own in most scenarios.
Holding the 13R may be a little tricky for those with smaller hands though, as this is a large phone. And you’ll want to be careful around water, as this handset isn’t protected against submersion. It’s merely splash-proof, which does mean it’ll be okay in the rain.
The OnePlus 13R is an accomplished smartphone that borrows many of the features from the brand's previous flagship phone, while being kept just out of reach of some of the very latest tech which has been reserved for its non-R, numerical twin.
OnePlus 13R review: price and availability
(Image credit: Future)
OnePlus 13R price is $599 / £679
Available with 12GB RAM + 256GB ROM in North America and Europe
India also has the option of a 16GB + 512GB variant
When it comes to buying the OnePlus 13R, things are kept simple with just one storage configuration of 256GB ROM + 12GB RAM available in North America and Europe.
For those in India, there’s a beefier 512GB + 16GB additional configuration, which may have some in Western markets looking enviably over to Asia.
The OnePlus 13R price is $599 / £679, matching the launch price of its predecessor (the OnePlus 12R) in the US, but coming in at £30 more expensive in the UK.
With the same launch price in the US as last year’s 256GB OnePlus 12R, the 13R is well positioned in the market, offering a big screen, big battery, and plenty of performance at a price point that undercuts Apple. Meanwhile, for UK buyers the £30 price increase is a little frustrating, but OnePlus has improved on its predecessor and the 13R still offers a solid all-round experience.
This price point sits the OnePlus 13R towards the top end of the ‘affordable flagship’ market, and unlike the OnePlus 12R, the US only gets the 256GB ROM + 12GB RAM. There’s no cheaper variant with 8GB/128GB of RAM and storage this time round.
That means it’s more expensive than the smaller, more palm-friendly Pixel 8a – Google’s own take on an affordable flagship – yet similarly priced to the AI-loaded Samsung Galaxy S24 FE and alternative Nothing Phone (2), although the latter is now a year and a half old at the time of writing.
One of the big draws of the OnePlus 13R will be its supreme battery life, but if battery life is the most important focus in a big-screened phone for you, then you may want to look at the Honor Magic 7 Lite. It’s a chunk cheaper and boasts an even bigger battery (6,600mAh), although it has less power and storage and isn’t available in North America.
Value score: 4 / 5
OnePlus 13R review: specs
The OnePlus 13R comes with a trio of headline specs. There’s the big, bright, and bold 6.78-inch display boasting a maximum brightness of 4,500 nits, the huge 6,000mAh battery that can keep you going for two days, and slick performance thanks to the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset as the brand’s previous generation flagship, the OnePlus 12.
There’s also a trio of cameras around the back, fast 80W wired charging, and 256GB of storage which will keep all but the most prolific power users happy.
OnePlus 13R review: design
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(Image credit: Future)
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Wonderfully premium aluminum and glass frame
A little large for small hands, and can’t be submerged in water
The OnePlus 13R is a slick piece of hardware, with a sleek aluminum frame wrapping around the circumference of the handset, which is sandwiched on either side by glass.
The flat sides are reminiscent of Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro and 16 Pro series, as well as the Oppo Find X8 range – the latter of which shares various design cues with the OnePlus 13 series, as the two brands are part of the same overarching company.
To complete the premium package the screen and rear of the phone are covered in Gorilla Glass 7i, the first OnePlus phone to harness this new glass type, which maker Corning claims is “specifically engineered to address the need for improved drop protection and scratch resistance.”
This means the 13R should be able to resist the odd drop and knock, but during my review time with the phone, I didn’t really put this to the test.
While the aesthetics may not be entirely unique, the OnePlus 13R has a premium look and feel; it’s built solidly and outperforms its price tag.
Those with smaller hands will find the size of the device overbearing – especially for one-handed use – while I’d have liked the power and volume buttons on the right of the 13R placed lower down.
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(Image credit: Future)
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(Image credit: Future)
The volume rocker especially was a stretch for my thumb, resulting in awkward shuffles in the hand to turn the volume up. If OnePlus placed these a few millimeters lower the buttons would fall naturally under the thumb, making for easier manipulation.
OnePlus’ now iconic alert slider is present on the OnePlus 13R, providing an easy way to toggle between silent, vibrate, and ring modes – although it suffers the same placement affliction as the volume and power – it’s placed just a little too high up on the left of the phone for my taste.
While this was a novel addition in the early days of OnePlus, its inclusion now feels a little superfluous as user habits have evolved over the years resulting in fewer people switching regularly between ring states. Former OnePlus co-founder, Carl Pei, even tweeted to say “most people never use it” in regards to the alert slider.
The USB-C port sits centrally on the bottom edge of the phone, flanked by the SIM tray (which supports two cards) and the speaker. On the back, the smooth, minimalist finish of my Nebular Noir-colored device is interrupted only by the enormous circular camera housing.
It’s aligned to one side of the handset – providing a small point of differentiation to the centrally placed camera bump on the Find X8 devices – which does displace the weight slightly, but isn’t an issue during daily use. OnePlus has managed to keep the weight of the 13R to a reasonable 206g, which allows it to sit comfortably in the hand.
One disappointing feature is the handset’s IP65 water resistance rating. It’s an improvement over the IP64 rating of its predecessor and protects against jets of water, but an IP68 rating (water resistance for submersion) is not uncommon in this price bracket.
Design score: 4 / 5
OnePlus 13R review: display
(Image credit: Future)
The 6.78-inch display is big, bright and colorful
A peak brightness of 4,500 nits makes it great for use in the sun
OnePlus makes a big deal about the display on this phone, and the good news is it lives up to the billing. It’s big, bright and colorful.
At 6.78 inches, it’s a sizable offering, much larger than the 6.1-inch screen on the Pixel 8a, a hair bigger than the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE (at 6.7 inches), while it’s the same size as the Honor Magic 7 Lite – another big-battery competitor.
There’s plenty of real estate for apps, and the slender uniform bezels all the way around give it a premium appeal. The only interruption on the screen is the circular cutout at the top of the display for the 16MP front-facing camera.
The 1264 x 2780 (1.5K) resolution – which gives you a pixel density of 450 ppi – is par for the course. OnePlus says the 13R can deliver a maximum brightness of 4,500 nits, but you won’t actually see that level of brightness in real-world use.
In my time with the phone, the OnePlus 13R’s screen performed very well in bright light, whether indoors or outdoors. If you’re fortunate enough to find yourself in a particularly sunny climate, you can be confident you’ll be able to see what’s on-screen in direct sunlight.
(Image credit: Future)
And when the weather turns and rain starts to fall, the OnePlus 13R continues to perform thanks to Aqua Touch 2.0. Taking the phone into the rain, the screen continued to respond well when my use was uninterrupted by the conditions – rain can cause issues on other phones, where the screen is confused by water droplets leading to unregistered taps or erroneous inputs.
Another nice inclusion for the OnePlus 13R is Glove Mode, allowing you to interact with the screen while wearing woolen or sheepskin gloves (up to 0.5cm thick). This mode isn’t on by default, you need to dive into the accessibility menus in the Settings apps (you can search “glove” in Settings to find the mode quicker) to enable it.
Once enabled, I was impressed by just how responsive the screen was when wearing a pair of woolen gloves. With the mode switched off, there was zero response from the screen when wearing gloves, so the difference is stark.
Interactions do require a little more force to be applied compared to non-glove use, but that’s not a surprise. OnePlus does note that glove mode does not support gameplay, so if you’re planning to have a round of PUBG while vacationing in Lapland, Finland, you may want to wait until you’re inside and gloveless before parachuting into battle. Opening and closing apps, moving around the interface, scrolling social, and tapping out messages are all easily done, however.
Display score: 4.5 / 5
OnePlus 13R review: software
(Image credit: Future)
OxygenOS 15.0 offers plenty of customization options
OnePlus guarantees four years of OS updates, but rivals offer more
The OnePlus 13R is an Android 15 smartphone, with the latest version of Google’s mobile operating system underpinning the software you see on the screen.
It’s not pure Android, as OnePlus has applied its OxygenOS 15.0 interface on top, providing the handset with a familiar look and feel for users of the brand’s previous generation of devices.
What this gives you is a slightly different look and feel to the stock Android platform (found on Pixel handsets). My OnePlus 13R also arrived pre-loaded with additional apps on top of the default system offerings.
These included Netflix, Amazon Music, Booking.com, LinkedIn, Facebook, Lyft, and AliExpress. You may find some of these pre-installed apps useful, but if you don’t the good news is they can be uninstalled entirely from the phone – leaving you with more of the apps you want.
I have seen phone manufacturers pre-install many more apps than on the OnePlus 13R, and also forbid users from uninstalling them, so what OnePlus has done isn’t cause for concern.
OnePlus says it has reduced the overall size of OxygenOS 15 by 40%, meaning it takes up less of the 256GB of internal storage space, leaving you more room for apps, games, photos, videos, and more.
OnePlus’ overlay also provides a wide range of customization features, allowing you to make the OnePlus 13R personal to you. From a range of home screen widgets and the ability to tweak the size, shape, and design of app icons, to different options from the drag-down motion to access the notifications bar and quick settings – there’s plenty to explore.
The Open Canvas feature from the OnePlus Open and OnePlus Pad 2 is present here, so I could have two apps side-by-side on screen. A horizontal bar divides the screen, and I could drag it up and down to resize the two apps.
There’s also the option to open an app in a floating window, and I could move around the rest of the phone’s interface while keeping the selected app open in a small area of the screen. Useful if you’re watching a video or part of a busy group chat and want to look up information in other apps.
I could even drag and ‘pin’ up to two of these floating windows to the edge of the screen, minimizing them to a transparent app logo tucked off the side of the display. A quick tap on the logo opened it back up as a floating window.
These multitasking features work well on the OnePlus 13R, and while it’s a little fiddly to enable split screen or floating window (and to pin these), it’s impressive when you get multiple apps all working at once – especially if you have two apps on split screen and then a third in a floating window.
The OnePlus 13R comes future-proofed too, with OnePlus committing to four years of software updates and six years of security updates for the device. While this is a good offering, it’s not industry-leading. Apple has offered five years of updates for some time, while Google and Samsung offer seven years of software and security updates on their latest devices.
And this wouldn’t be a 2025 smartphone without a mention of AI. In the Photos app (the OnePlus version, not Google’s Photos app) you’ll find the AI Editor option with four tools for you to use. More on these in the camera section.
Google’s Gemini AI assistant also comes pre-loaded on the OnePlus 13R, giving you access to features such as Circle to Search and Magic Compose (for help writing text messages).
Software score: 4 / 5
OnePlus 13R review: cameras
(Image credit: Future)
A capable all-round camera delivers great images in most conditions
Plenty of modes and settings for avid photographers
The OnePlus 13R packs a trio of cameras in the sizable, circular camera housing, headlined by a 50MP Sony LYT-700 main sensor alongside a 50MP telephoto sensor, providing support for the 2x zoom. The sensor array is completed by an 8MP ultra-wide sensor with a 112-degree field of view. There’s also an LED flash to help illuminate dark scenes.
On the front, you get a 16MP selfie camera, but there’s no wide-angle lens to expand the view to fit more faces. You’ll either have to press cheeks together or live with the fact some people may not make it in the frame.
The OnePlus 13R camera app loads swiftly and comes packed with features, with quick access icons for Google Lens, exposure, retouch (beautification mode), and filters ensuring you’re Instagram-ready in no time.
You can move between different camera modes by swiping horizontally above the shutter button – with smartphone staples ‘Video’ and ‘Portrait’ quickly accessible on either side of the default ‘Photo’ mode.
For those who like to fine-tune their shooting experience, ‘Pro’ mode gives granular controls for ISO, Shutter speed, exposure, focus, and white balance – plus there’s the option to shoot in RAW rather than JPG for greater editing flexibility in programs such as Photoshop.
Dive into the ‘More’ section and you’ll find further modes to choose from including night, panorama, slo-mo video, and time-lapse.
In short, the OnePlus 13R camera app gives you plenty of choice and customization options, but the good news is it takes good photos in the default setting – for those who don’t want to have to mess with settings.
In most conditions, the 13R is a very capable smartphone camera. It’s not at the same level as the best camera phones on the market, but that’s to be expected given it sits a tier below the true premium flagship offerings.
Camera score: 4 / 5
OnePlus 13R review: camera samples
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Portrait mode does an excellent job of keeping the cat in focus while blurring the sofa behind (Image credit: Future)
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Macro mode is automatically enabled when you get close to your subject (Image credit: Future)
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In bright daylight, the OnePlus 13R is a great point-and-shoot camera (Image credit: Future)
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The default 1x zoom (Image credit: Future)
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Tap to the 2x optical zoom and you’ll get closer to your subject while maintaining image quality (Image credit: Future)
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The 13R can zoom all the way to 20x digitally (Image credit: Future)
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At night, the OnePlus 13R captures detailed shots (Image credit: Future)
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And does impressively well close-up in lowlight (default shooting mode) (Image credit: Future)
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The selfie camera produces bright, clear shots – although they can be a little overexposed (Image credit: Future)
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Switch to Portrait mode when using the selfie camera and you get a more natural result and decent blurring around the subject (Image credit: Future)
As with its predecessor, the advice for those who want to take their smartphone photography seriously on the OnePlus 13R is to stick to the main 50MP camera. It benefits from both EIS (electronic image stabilization) and OIS (optical image stabilization) to improve results.
You can use the phone as a reliable point-and-shoot to capture outdoor and indoor shots, both during the day and at night. The OnePlus 13R camera particularly impressed me during a nighttime walk through a light trail, with the default settings handling the variable lighting conditions very well.
I was able to take a series of striking low-light images with minimum effort as I walked through the trail, and this is exactly what I want from a smartphone camera. Something that can quickly and easily generate great results for social and group chats.
The OnePlus 13R also offers solid editing tools, allowing you to tinker with pictures way after you’ve taken them. As mentioned earlier in this review, OnePlus has included a number of AI-powered editing tools in its own gallery (the 13R has two photo galleries, the default OnePlus app, and the Google Photos app – the latter of which has its own editing tools as well).
AI Unblur, as the name suggests, can take your blurry photographs and reduce the lack of focus. It can be applied to any image, not just ones taken on the 13R, although I found the difference made – while an improvement – was minimal.
What I found more useful was AI Detail Boost. This enhances busy images to provide better clarity and contrast throughout your shots – again, working on any image.
Then there’s AI Eraser and AI Reflection Eraser. The former you’ll likely be familiar with as it’s a tool most smartphones offer, allowing you to remove people/animals/objects from your shots. It works well here, although it can struggle with busier scenes and complex backgrounds.
Reflection Eraser takes things a step further by, yup you’ve guessed it, attempting to remove reflections on windows, glass, or screens. I tried this on a number of images, with varying success. Generally, improvements were made, but I didn’t manage to completely remove reflections in any of the images I tested it on.
In all, the AI tools are a nice addition to the OnePlus 13R, but they don’t deliver an experience that stands out over similar tools available on other phones.
Hyperboost performance settings are great for mobile gamers
The OnePlus 13R comes packed with power, ensuring it keeps up with pretty much anything you can toss its way.
While the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset isn’t the latest top-tier Snapdragon 8 Elite offering from Qualcomm, it’s the same flagship chipset that featured in the OnePlus 12. What this means is the 13R still packs a punch, backed up by a capable 12GB of RAM.
The interface flows well, and the performance along with the 120Hz displays makes for slick, smooth scrolling on social media. Apps load quickly, although for more demanding titles the OnePlus 13R doesn’t feel quite as fast under the finger as the true flagships on the market.
That’s not really an issue, and considering the price point of this phone I was more than happy with the performance I was getting, whether that was browsing social, streaming video, checking emails, doing work (including writing parts of this very review) or taking a well-earned gaming break.
I ran a number of benchmark tests from 3DMark, Geekbench, CrossMark, JetStream, and WebXPRT 4 to really push the capabilities of the OnePlus 13R. It performed admirably with flagship-level (or close to flagship) results, reinforcing the fact there’s plenty of power available in this phone.
Fire up a game and you’ll notice the handset’s Hyperboost performance settings are automatically engaged, giving you live data on the phone’s condition during your gaming session.
From the drop-down panel, you can easily keep an eye on your fps (frames per second), latency, and how hot the OnePlus 13R is getting thanks to a temperature sensor embedded under the display.
There are three modes to choose from, with ‘Balanced’ being the default setting. You can alternatively switch to ‘Low power’ which will help extend your gaming session when the battery is running low by reducing screen refresh and lowering touch response.
(Image credit: Future)
Then there’s ‘Pro Gamer’ which channels all power to your game resulting in increased temperature and battery drain. A pop-up even warns you to consider only using this mode during ambient temperatures.
There are even more tools to play around with in the Hyperboost menu, including tweaking the GPU settings, toggling key features on and off, and screen recording controls to capture epic battles. In short, if you’re big into mobile gaming, the OnePlus 13R has plenty to offer.
The OnePlus 13R comfortably handled Genshin Impact at 60fps and its highest graphics setting (at 30fps). Load screens took a beat longer to process compared to the high-end flagship phones, but it didn’t detract from gameplay. While the handset did get warm it never reached an uncomfortable temperature.
Something else that impressed me during testing was the performance of the biometric scanners. Located under the display close to the bottom of the screen, the fingerprint scanner is well placed for your thumb to land on it every time when unlocking.
It performs well too, with great responsiveness and no read failures experienced during my time with the phone.
You can also choose to enable face unlock. It’s quick to register your face, and in daylight, the OnePlus 13R is able to instantly recognize you and unlock, even from awkward angles such as sneakily looking at your phone from under a desk.
Performance score: 4 / 5
OnePlus 13R review: battery
(Image credit: Future)
TA huge 6,000mAh battery delivers two-day use on a single charge
80W charging sees 1%-100% in 52 minutes, but no wireless charging
One of the biggest selling points for the OnePlus 13R is its huge 6,000mAh battery, providing the handset with excellent longevity and giving you the peace of mind of truly all-day battery life without the need to even consider reaching for a charger.
During our heavy-usage days, we found we’d still be getting into bed at the end of the day with the battery at least 20%, and on days where we curbed our gaming and video watching, we could easily unplug at 7am and then plug in at 11pm with 50% still left in the tank.
With slightly more thoughtful use (i.e. no gaming and videos and limited social media) the OnePlus 13R is capable of delivering two days of battery life from a single charge without the need to switch to a battery-saving mode.
The SUPERVOOC charging speed has been reduced from 100W on the OnePlus 12R to 80W on the new OnePlus 13R, as the firm looks to preserve the overall life of the mammoth power pack inside.
(Image credit: Future)
The 80W charging still delivers a good amount of juice in a short amount of time, and with the right fast-charging plug adapter (you only get a USB-C cable in the box in the UK) the OnePlus 13R can go from 1% to 100% in as little as 52 minutes.
Using a fast 60W charging block, the OnePlus 13R replenished from 15% to 31% in 15 minutes, and the battery got back to 48% after 30 minutes (increasing 33 percentage points in half an hour). Respectable top-up times, especially if you need to swiftly add charge before stepping out of the house.
These charging times will improve if you have an 80W charging block to take advantage of the maximum supported charging speed.
The only blemish in the OnePlus 13R’s battery story is the fact it doesn’t have wireless charging. This feature has been reserved for its pricier sibling – the OnePlus 13, so you’ll need a cable to top up the 13R.
Battery score: 4.5 /5
Should you buy the OnePlus 13R?
Buy it if...
You want a brilliant balance of battery power and performance With a 6,000mAh battery and punchy Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, the OnePlus 13R delivers excellent battery life along with flagship-level performance (even though the chipset is a year old).
You’re after a big screen that won’t break the bank Forget the Pro Max and Ultra devices, the OnePlus 13R delivers a big screen experience at a lower price point, and it does it really well. The 6.78-inch display is brilliantly bright and colorful, making whatever you do on it look great.
You want a slick mobile gaming machine Add together the battery life, performance, and display, and the OnePlus 13R has all the hallmarks of a fantastic gaming device. The Hyperboost performance settings are the icing on the cake.
Don't buy it if...
You’re looking for the best update longevity OnePlus has made positive strides by announcing its OnePlus 13 series handsets will receive four years of OS updates and six years of security updates, but it still lags behind the competition. Apple, Google, and Samsung all offer more years of OS updates.
You want the biggest battery for your buck If battery life is your core focus for buying a new phone, the OnePlus 13R and its 6,000mAh power pack certainly makes a good case, but the Honor Magic 7 Lite has a bigger battery (6,600mAh) at a lower price – although it’s not as powerful, and not available in North America.
You’re after proper water resistance The OnePlus 13R carries an IP65 dust and water resistance rating, which translates to the phone being able to cope with droplets and jets of water (such as rain), but isn’t protected if you were to accidentally drop it in the bath/sink/swimming pool.
OnePlus 13R review: also consider
Samsung Galaxy S24 FE The Galaxy S24 FE isn’t the cheapest of the rivals, but it comes stuffed to the brim with Galaxy AI features, excellent battery life, and decent performance.
Google Pixel 8a This Galaxy is about to be replaced, but it still hits hard with amazing cameras, the water-resistant S Pen camera remote, and tons of other features.
I used the OnePlus 13R as my daily device for more than two weeks, testing it in a wide range of daily scenarios.
From night-time photography walks around illuminated festive trails and trips to live sporting events, to hours spent playing games (including Pokemon Go, Clash Royale, and Genshin Impact) and streaming videos (via Netflix, DAZN, YouTube, and Disney+), the 13R experienced high-usage and demanding applications to push the screen, chipset and battery to their limits. I braved the storms, taking the phone outside during heavy downpours to test the screen resistance, while also chasing the sun to put the 4,500 nits display through its paces.
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There were quieter days too, where I was checking emails, scrolling social media, and listening to music without the demands of gaming or video, to get a true feeling of how the battery and interface work. I even wrote some of this very review on the OnePlus 13R, to see how it coped as a work device – as life isn’t all pleasure. At least, not for me.
Alongside daily use, I ran numerous benchmarking tests from the likes of Geekbench, CrossMark, 3DMark, and more, to find out if the OnePlus 13R lived up to its performance billing – which it certainly did.
