The Chinese consumer electronics company HONOR launched two new flagship smartphones in South Africa this week, staking its claim in the foldable and artificial intelligence-driven camera markets.
The HONOR Magic V2 is a foldable smartphone that the company says is the thinnest and lightest device of its kind, measuring 9.9 millimeters thick and weighing 231 grams. It has a hinge made from a proprietary steel alloy that HONOR says can withstand over 400,000 folds, equivalent to 10 years of use.
When unfolded, the device has a 7.92-inch display. It is powered by a 5,000 milliampere-hour battery, which HONOR said would allow all-day use on a single charge.
The second device, called the HONOR Magic6 Pro, is a standard smartphone focused on camera and artificial intelligence capabilities. It received a camera score of 158 from the rating firm DXOMark, among the highest ever awarded.
The device has a 50-megapixel main camera, a 50-megapixel ultrawide camera and a 180-megapixel periscope telephoto lens. It uses artificial intelligence processing to enhance image quality.
The Magic6 Pro also has an “AI Magic Portal” feature that recommends apps and services based on text or images displayed on the screen.
Fred Zhou, the general manager of HONOR Technologies Africa, said the new devices represented an effort to push the boundaries of smartphone technology. The Magic V2 will sell for R39,999.00 in South Africa, while the Magic6 Pro will start at R27,999.00.
HONOR, a former subsidiary of Huawei that gained independence in 2020, was the fastest-growing smartphone brand in South Africa last year, according to the research firm Counterpoint.
