Honor Magic Vs Ultimate vs Google Pixel Fold: The Ultimate Foldable Face-Off

Foldable phones are rapidly evolving, offering a unique blend of portability and expansive screen real estate. Today, we pit two contenders against each other: the Honor Magic Vs Ultimate and the Google Pixel Fold. Both promise premium experiences, but which one delivers the best value and features?
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Honor Magic Vs Ultimate offers superior performance thanks to the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 and faster charging. The Google Pixel Fold shines with its software experience, camera capabilities, and broader ecosystem integration. It's a close call, but the Magic Vs Ultimate edges ahead for raw power and value.

PHONES
Phone Names Honor Magic Vs Ultimate Google Pixel Fold
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 257, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1x CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2022, November 232023, May 10
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, December 30Available. Released 2023, June 27
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, magnesium alloy frame, titanium alloy folding mechanismGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus) (folded), plastic front (unfolded), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame
DimensionsUnfolded: 160.3 x 141.5 x 6.1 mmFolded: 160.3 x 72.6 x 12.9 mmUnfolded: 139.7 x 158.7 x 5.8 mmFolded: 139.7 x 79.5 x 12.1 mm
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight265 g (9.35 oz)283 g (9.98 oz)
 -IPX8 water resistant
Display
Resolution1984 x 2272 pixels (~382 ppi density)1840 x 2208 pixels (~378 ppi density)
Size7.9 inches, 199.5 cm2 (~87.9% screen-to-body ratio)7.6 inches, 183.3 cm2 (~82.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeFoldable OLED, 1B colors, 90Hz, HDR10+, 800 nitsFoldable OLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM), 1450 nits (peak)
 Stylus support Cover display: OLED (nano glass-ceramic cover), 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1200 nits, 6.45 inches, 1080 x 2560 pixels, 431 ppiCover display: OLED, 120Hz, HDR, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 5.8 inches, 1080 x 2092 pixels, 17.4:9 ratio, 408 ppi 1200 nits (HBM), 1550 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)Google Tensor G2 (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 730Mali-G710 MP7
OSAndroid 12, MagicOS 7Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal512GB 16GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 -UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple54 MP, f/1.9, 27mm (wide), 1/1.49", 1.0µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, (telephoto), PDAF, 3x optical zoom, OIS 50 MP, f/2.0, 13mm, 122˚ (ultrawide), AF48 MP, f/1.7, 25mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 10.8 MP, f/3.1, 112mm (telephoto), 1/3.1", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 10.8 MP, f/2.2, 121˚, (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.25µm
Video4K@30/60fps (10-bit), 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10+4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 10-bit HDR
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm Cover camera: 9.5 MP, f/2.2, 24mm (wide), 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG, Display Port 1.2USB Type-C 3.2, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 -Ultra Wideband (UWB) support
Battery
Charging66W wired 5W reverse wiredWired, PD3.0 Wireless
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 4821 mAh
Misc
ColorsGold, BlackPorcelain, Obsidian
ModelsFRI-AN10G9FPL
PriceAbout 1500 EUR€ 670.87 / $ 389.26 / £ 899.99

Honor Magic Vs Ultimate

  • Superior Performance (Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1)
  • Faster 66W Charging
  • Potentially more refined hinge
  • Competitive Pricing

  • Software experience may not be as polished as Pixel
  • Camera may not match Pixel's image processing
  • Availability may be limited in some regions

Google Pixel Fold

  • Excellent Camera (Google's computational photography)
  • Clean Android Experience
  • Seamless Google Ecosystem Integration
  • More usable external display

  • Slower Charging
  • Less Powerful Processor (Tensor G2)
  • Higher Price
  • Potential for overheating under heavy load

Display Comparison

Both phones feature impressive foldable displays. The Magic Vs Ultimate likely has a slightly more refined hinge mechanism and potentially a brighter display. The Pixel Fold's external display is arguably more usable for quick tasks. Color accuracy and refresh rates are likely comparable, both offering smooth scrolling and vibrant visuals.

Camera Comparison

The Google Pixel Fold leverages Google's renowned computational photography, likely delivering superior image quality, especially in challenging lighting conditions. The Magic Vs Ultimate's camera hardware is strong, but may not match the Pixel's software optimization. Video recording capabilities are likely comparable.

Performance

The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in the Magic Vs Ultimate provides a significant performance advantage over the Google Tensor G2. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the Honor device. The Tensor G2 is still capable, but it doesn't match the raw power of Qualcomm's flagship chip.

Battery Life

The Magic Vs Ultimate's 66W wired charging is significantly faster than the Pixel Fold's charging speeds. Battery capacity is likely similar, but the faster charging gives the Honor device an edge in convenience. Battery life under typical usage should be comparable.

Buying Guide

The Honor Magic Vs Ultimate is ideal for power users and those prioritizing performance and fast charging. The Google Pixel Fold is perfect for Android purists, photography enthusiasts, and those deeply invested in the Google ecosystem.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which foldable phone has the better software?
The Google Pixel Fold generally offers a cleaner and more optimized Android experience with guaranteed updates and Google's exclusive features.
❓ Is the Honor Magic Vs Ultimate worth buying if I'm not a heavy gamer?
Yes, the Magic Vs Ultimate's performance benefits extend beyond gaming, providing a smoother overall user experience. However, if you prioritize camera quality and Google integration above all else, the Pixel Fold might be a better choice.