Honor Magic8 Pro Professional Imaging Kit: A Closer Look at the New Photography Accessory

Honor has entered the professional photography kit market with its new Magic8 Pro Professional Imaging Kit, developed in partnership with Telesin. This accessory transforms the flagship smartphone into a more capable camera system, adding a magnetic grip and telephoto extender lens that brings the phone's 85mm zoom to an effective 200mm focal length.

The kit consists of nearly 10 individual pieces, centered around a protective case for the Magic8 Pro. This case isn't just for protection—it features built-in Qi2 magnets and what Honor calls a "radiator grille design" for improved heat dissipation during extended shooting sessions. The case includes a 67mm filter thread with three different filter options: a standard filter, one for attaching conventional 67mm filters like neutral density or circular polarizers, and a third specifically for mounting the telephoto extender lens.

Magnetic Grip: The Standout Feature

The most impressive component is undoubtedly the magnetic camera grip. Unlike many phone camera accessories that require specific cases or mounting systems, this grip attaches magnetically to any Qi2 or MagSafe-compatible device. This means you can use it with other phones or cases beyond just the Magic8 Pro.

The grip connects via Bluetooth and adds several physical controls: a two-stage shutter button for half-press focus and full-press capture, a control dial for adjusting settings, a zoom lever for smooth focal length changes, and a dedicated record button for video capture. It also includes a 1/4" threaded hole, allowing you to mount the entire setup on a tripod for stable shots.

Perhaps the most practical advantage of the magnetic attachment is versatility. You can quickly snap the grip on or off without fiddling with release levers, and it works in both landscape and portrait orientations. This flexibility is particularly valuable for content creators who need to switch between shooting orientations frequently.

Telephoto Extender Lens

The telephoto extender lens itself weighs 207 grams, making it comparable to similar accessories for other flagship phones like the vivo X200 Ultra (209g). When attached, it transforms the Magic8 Pro's 85mm zoom lens into a 200mm equivalent, providing significantly more reach for distant subjects.

However, using the extender requires enabling a teleconverter toggle in the camera UI. Without this setting activated, the viewfinder displays an upside-down image—a quirk that users will need to remember when switching between standard and extended shooting modes.

Camera Improvements

Alongside the hardware launch, Honor released a firmware update for the Magic8 Pro that brings several imaging enhancements. The main and telephoto cameras now feature improved stabilization rated at CIPA 6.5, up from 6.0. Honor claims this is the highest stabilization rating achieved on any smartphone to date.

The stabilization system incorporates thermal-awareness, motion-adaptive logic, and situational intelligence to deliver stable previews, higher success rates at long telephoto ranges, reduced motion blur, and clearer night captures. The update also introduces Honor's new AiMAGE Color Engine, designed to produce more authentic colors across various shooting conditions.

Sample Images and Performance

During hands-on testing, the telephoto extender's capabilities were demonstrated through comparison shots. Starting with the native 85mm camera, then switching to the 200mm teleconverter, and finally using 2x digital zoom to reach 400mm, the progression shows how image quality degrades as you push beyond optical zoom limits.

Beyond mere reach, the extender lens offers optical advantages when framing subjects equally. At 200mm compared to 85mm, the background appears more compressed (closer to the subject) and exhibits more pronounced bokeh, creating a shallower depth of field effect that's desirable for portrait and wildlife photography.

Market Context and Competition

Honor's entry into the photography kit space follows similar moves by competitors like vivo and Oppo, which have offered comparable telephoto extender accessories for their flagship X series and Find X Pro models. The magnetic grip design appears to be a differentiator, potentially offering better usability than clip-on alternatives.

For photographers and content creators who already own the Magic8 Pro, this kit represents a way to expand the phone's photographic capabilities without investing in a separate camera system. The combination of physical controls, extended reach, and improved stabilization makes it a compelling option for those who frequently shoot with their smartphones.

The Honor Magic8 Pro Professional Imaging Kit is now available, though pricing details were not included in the initial announcement. Given the component quality and the inclusion of multiple accessories, it's likely positioned as a premium add-on for photography enthusiasts using Honor's flagship device.