Qualcomm’s big announcement this week was the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, and phone makers are already lining up to show off devices that will use it. Honor is one of the first, revealing its upcoming Magic 8 series at the Snapdragon Summit China.
This isn’t the full launch just yet, but Honor has made it clear that the new Magic 8 phones will be its flagship models for 2026, powered by Qualcomm’s latest chip.
A Glimpse at the Magic 8 Pro
While Honor hasn’t spelled out exactly which models will make up the Magic 8 series, The Verge has shared images of the Magic 8 Pro. This device will follow up the 2025 Magic 7 Pro and looks set to carry the “Pro” flagship title.
The design has been tweaked slightly. Instead of the curved edges we’ve seen before, the Magic 8 Pro seems to feature a flat back, which makes it look similar to many other recent phones. But one thing that still stands out is the oversized rear camera housing.
Just like its predecessor, the Magic 8 Pro is expected to pack a powerful camera system. On the Magic 7 Pro, the big talking point was the AI-powered 100x zoom, so it will be interesting to see what Honor adds this time around.
Honor Magic 8 Series: A New AI Button
One big change is the addition of a dedicated AI button. Honor previously experimented with an extra control button on the Honor 400 for camera functions, but this new one seems focused entirely on AI.
That makes sense, given how AI has become the hot topic at every tech launch. Honor hasn’t explained exactly what the AI button will do, but we’ll find out more when the phone gets its full debut in China on 15 October. A global launch is expected in early 2026, and that’s when we’re likely to see the full range of AI features in action.
AI Buttons Are Making a Comeback
Dedicated buttons aren’t exactly new. Samsung tried it back in 2017 with the Galaxy S8’s Bixby button, though it proved unpopular and disappeared by 2019. More recently, phones like the Nothing Phone have revived the idea with their own takes.
The real test now is whether manufacturers can use these buttons to deliver AI features that people actually find useful. Otherwise, they risk being just another gimmick. Of course, it’s also possible that Honor’s AI button will simply launch Google Gemini, making it easier for users to jump straight into AI-powered chats and tools.
More to Come
For now, Honor is keeping most of the details under wraps. With the full China launch happening in mid-October and a global reveal set for early 2026, it won’t be long before we know exactly how Honor plans to use that AI button and what else the Magic 8 series brings to the table.
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