Honor Magic6 Pro vs. Apple iPhone 15: A Head-to-Head Comparison of Flagship Power

Apple’s iPhone 15 represents a refinement of its established formula, while the Honor Magic6 Pro is a bold attempt to disrupt the premium smartphone market with cutting-edge charging technology and a powerful Snapdragon processor. This comparison dissects the key differences between these two flagships, focusing on performance, battery life, and camera capabilities to determine which device offers the best overall experience.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing ecosystem integration and a polished software experience, the iPhone 15 remains a strong choice. However, the Honor Magic6 Pro delivers superior battery life, significantly faster charging, and competitive performance, making it the winner for those prioritizing those features and open to Android.

PHONES
Phone Names Apple iPhone 15 Honor Magic6 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 53, 66 - A3090LTE
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A3090SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5G, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 MbpsHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2023, September 122024, January 11
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, September 22Available. Released 2024, January 18
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, aluminum frameGlass front (NanoCrystal Shield), glass back or silicone polymer back (eco leather)
Dimensions147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm (5.81 x 2.82 x 0.31 in)162.5 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm (6.40 x 2.98 x 0.35 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time; International)· eSIM + eSIM (8 or more, max 2 at a time; USA)· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM (China)· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight171 g (6.03 oz)225 g or 229 g (7.94 oz)
Display
ProtectionCeramic Shield glassNanoCrystal Shield
Resolution1179 x 2556 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~461 ppi density)1280 x 2800 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~453 ppi density)
Size6.1 inches, 91.3 cm2 (~86.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.8 inches, 112.8 cm2 (~91.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (HBM), 2000 nits (peak)LTPO OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR, 1600 nits (HBM), 5000 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUHexa-core (2x3.46 GHz Everest + 4x2.02 GHz Sawtooth)Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520)
ChipsetApple A16 Bionic (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)
GPUApple GPU (5-core graphics)Adreno 750
OSiOS 17, upgradable to iOS 26.1Android 14, up to 4 major Android upgrades, MagicOS 8
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 512GB 6GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual48 MP, f/1.6, 26mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS 12 MP, f/2.4, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 0.7µm-
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama)Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple-50 MP, f/1.4-2.0, 23mm (wide), 1/1.3", 1.2µm, PDAF, OIS 180 MP, f/2.6, (periscope telephoto), 1/1.49", 0.56µm, PDAF, OIS, 2.5x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.0, 13mm, 122˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.88", 0.61µm, AF
Video4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps), stereo sound rec.4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS, OIS, HDR, 10-bit video
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, Dolby Vision HDR-
Single12 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, PDAF SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)50 MP, f/2.0, 22mm (wide), 1/2.93", 0.6µm, AF TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Video4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, DisplayPortUSB Type-C 3.2, DisplayPort 1.2, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspotWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFace ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (under display, optical), Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
ChargingWired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless (MagSafe) 15W wireless (Qi2) - requires iOS 17.2 update 4.5W reverse wired80W wired 66W wireless Reverse wireless 5W reverse wired
TypeLi-Ion 3349 mAhSi/C Li-Ion 5600 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Blue, Green, Yellow, PinkBlack, Green, Blue, Purple, White
ModelsA3090, A2846, A3089, A3092, iPhone15,4BVL-AN16, BVL-N49
Price€ 519.00 / $ 396.00 / £ 449.99 / ₹ 50,990€ 455.54 / $ 899.00 / £ 598.99
SAR1.12 W/kg (head)     1.14 W/kg (body)-
SAR EU0.98 W/kg (head)     0.98 W/kg (body)-

Apple iPhone 15

  • Seamless Apple ecosystem integration
  • Polished and user-friendly iOS software
  • Strong resale value

  • Slower charging speeds
  • Shorter battery life compared to Magic6 Pro
  • Limited customization options

Honor Magic6 Pro

  • Exceptional battery life
  • Ultra-fast 80W wired and 66W wireless charging
  • More open and customizable Android experience

  • Android ecosystem fragmentation
  • Potential software bloatware
  • Resale value may be lower

Display Comparison

Both the iPhone 15 and Honor Magic6 Pro feature high-quality displays, but with subtle differences. The iPhone 15 reaches a measured peak brightness of 1643 nits, slightly exceeding the Magic6 Pro’s 1578 nits. While the difference is noticeable, both are easily viewable outdoors. Neither specification details refresh rate or panel type, but given the flagship status, both likely employ LTPO technology for variable refresh rates. The iPhone 15’s display benefits from Apple’s color calibration expertise, while the Magic6 Pro’s display is likely tuned for vibrant colors, a common trait in Honor devices. Bezels appear comparable based on available imagery, suggesting a similar immersive experience.

Camera Comparison

Both phones are equipped with advanced camera systems, but details are limited. The context data only indicates 'Photo / Video' capabilities for the iPhone 15, making a detailed comparison difficult. The Honor Magic6 Pro’s camera specifications are also absent, but Honor has a history of incorporating large sensors and advanced image processing. The absence of sensor size information is a significant omission. The iPhone 15’s strength lies in its computational photography and video recording capabilities, while the Magic6 Pro likely focuses on delivering high-resolution images with strong dynamic range. We can assume both phones offer optical image stabilization (OIS) on their main sensors. The lack of detail regarding secondary cameras (ultrawide, telephoto) prevents a comprehensive assessment.

Performance

The core of the performance difference lies in the chipsets. The iPhone 15 utilizes Apple’s A16 Bionic (4nm), a hexa-core processor with a focus on efficiency and single-core performance. The Honor Magic6 Pro, however, is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm), an octa-core processor designed for sustained multi-core performance. The Snapdragon’s configuration – 1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4, 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720, 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720, and 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520 – suggests a broader range of processing capabilities. While the A16 excels in tasks optimized for Apple’s silicon, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 offers a more versatile approach, potentially benefiting demanding applications and gaming. Both devices likely utilize LPDDR5X RAM, but specific speeds are not provided. Thermal management will be crucial for sustained performance, and the Snapdragon’s larger die size may present a greater cooling challenge.

Battery Life

The Honor Magic6 Pro demonstrably leads in battery endurance. Its active use score of 14:06h surpasses the iPhone 15’s 13:20h. This advantage is further amplified by the Magic6 Pro’s charging capabilities: 80W wired, 66W wireless, and 5W reverse wired, compared to the iPhone 15’s 50% in 30 minutes wired, 15W MagSafe/Qi2 wireless, and 4.5W reverse wired. The Magic6 Pro’s charging speed is significantly faster, allowing for a full charge in under 40 minutes, while the iPhone 15 takes considerably longer. The iPhone 15 has an endurance rating of 98h, but this is a theoretical metric; the active use score provides a more realistic assessment. The Honor Magic6 Pro’s combination of battery life and charging speed is a clear advantage for users who demand all-day power and quick top-ups.

Buying Guide

Buy the Apple iPhone 15 if you need seamless integration with other Apple devices, a mature and user-friendly operating system, and a strong resale value. Buy the Honor Magic6 Pro if you prioritize exceptional battery life, blazing-fast 80W charging, and a more open Android experience, all at a potentially lower price point.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the Honor Magic6 Pro get noticeably warmer than the A16 Bionic during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is a more powerful chip, and therefore generates more heat under sustained load. While Honor likely employs advanced cooling solutions, it's probable the Magic6 Pro will get warmer than the iPhone 15 during prolonged gaming. However, thermal throttling will be the key factor – how much performance is sacrificed to manage heat. Independent testing will be needed to determine the extent of throttling on both devices.
❓ The iPhone 15 supports Qi2 wireless charging. Does this offer a significant advantage over the Magic6 Pro's 66W wireless charging?
While Qi2 offers improved efficiency and alignment, the Honor Magic6 Pro’s 66W wireless charging is significantly faster. Qi2’s benefits are incremental, while the Magic6 Pro can replenish its battery much more quickly wirelessly. The iPhone 15’s 15W wireless charging is considerably slower in comparison.
❓ How does the reverse wireless charging on each device compare in practical use?
The Honor Magic6 Pro’s reverse wireless charging, while only 5W, is still more useful than the iPhone 15’s 4.5W. Both are primarily for emergencies or charging small accessories like earbuds, but the slightly higher wattage on the Magic6 Pro could translate to a marginally faster charge for compatible devices.