Honor 8S vs HONOR Magic V3 5G
Our Verdict: Same maker, different budgets: the 8S is the cheaper option and the Magic V3 5G the premium one. The V3 5G has a massively higher-resolution main camera, 50MP against the S's 13MP, plus a 20MP selfie camera against 5MP, and only the V3 5G is a 5G phone; the S maxes out at 4G. The V3 5G packs the bigger battery, 5150mAh against 3020mAh, which usually means longer between charges, and the V3 5G has the stronger screen, bigger at 7.9" against 5.7" and sharper at 402 PPI. Only pay up for the V3 5G if you'll use what it offers; if not, the S makes more sense.
If you'd rather pay up front, the S is the cheaper buy at £58 SIM-free.
Prices updated 16 July 2026
Honor 8S
|
HONOR Magic V3 5G
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Screen | 5.71" | 7.92" |
| Display | LCD | LTPO OLED |
| Resolution | 720 x 1520 | 2156 x 2344 |
| Pixels Per Inch | 295 | 402 |
| Rear Camera | 13 Megapixels | 50 Megapixels |
| Front Camera | 5 Megapixels | 20 Megapixels |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6761 | Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) |
| Battery | 3,020 mAh | 5,150 mAh |
| Storage | 32GB | 512GB |
| OS | Android | Android |
| SIM Type | Nano SIM | nano-SIM and e-SIM |
| Connectivity | Up to 4G | Up to 5G |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 b/g/n | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7 |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 with A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Dimensions | 147.1 x 70.8 x 8.5 mm | 156.6 x 74.0 x 9.2 mm |
| Weight | 146 grams | 230 grams |
| Water Resistance | Not rated | IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes |
| Contracts | - |
£163.08/mo
£30.00 upfront |
| SIM-free | £58.00 | £566.00 |
| Prices updated 16 July 2026 | ||
| Deals | Deals | |
Cheapest Deals
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the better screen, the Honor 8S or HONOR Magic V3 5G?
The HONOR Magic V3 5G has the bigger screen at 7.9" compared to the Honor 8S's 5.7", the HONOR Magic V3 5G has the sharper display at 402 pixels per inch versus 295, and the Honor 8S uses a LCD panel while the HONOR Magic V3 5G has a LTPO OLED.
Which has the better camera, the Honor 8S or HONOR Magic V3 5G?
The Honor 8S features a 13 Megapixels rear camera, while the HONOR Magic V3 5G has a 50 Megapixels rear camera. Both devices also have front-facing cameras for selfies and video calls.
Which is cheaper to buy SIM-free, the Honor 8S or HONOR Magic V3 5G?
The Honor 8S is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £58.00.
What storage options are available for the Honor 8S and HONOR Magic V3 5G?
The Honor 8S is available in 32GB, while the HONOR Magic V3 5G comes in 512GB.
What processors do the Honor 8S and HONOR Magic V3 5G use?
The Honor 8S is powered by the Mediatek MT6761, while the HONOR Magic V3 5G uses the Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm).
Which is easier to carry and hold, the Honor 8S or HONOR Magic V3 5G?
The Honor 8S is the more portable of the two: it's 84g lighter at 146 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 147.1 x 70.8 x 8.5 mm, and is slimmer at 8.5mm thick.
Which is more water resistant, the Honor 8S or HONOR Magic V3 5G?
The Honor 8S is rated Not rated, while the HONOR Magic V3 5G is rated IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes.
What operating system do the Honor 8S and HONOR Magic V3 5G run?
Both phones run Android.