Honor Magic Vs Ultimate vs Huawei Mate X3: The Ultimate Foldable Showdown

The foldable phone market is heating up, and two contenders stand out: the Honor Magic Vs Ultimate and the Huawei Mate X3. Both offer impressive designs and features, but which one delivers the best overall experience? This comprehensive comparison will break down every aspect, from display and performance to camera and battery life.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Honor Magic Vs Ultimate edges out the Huawei Mate X3 thanks to its slightly superior performance and potentially better software experience (depending on region). While the Mate X3 boasts excellent battery life and wireless charging, the Magic Vs Ultimate's Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 provides a noticeable performance boost. Ultimately, the choice depends on your priorities.

PHONES
Phone Names Honor Magic Vs Ultimate Huawei Mate X3
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, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
 CDMA2000 1x CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2022, November 232023, March 23
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, December 30Available. Released 2023, April 08
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, magnesium alloy frame, titanium alloy folding mechanismGlass front, glass back or eco leather back, aluminum frame
DimensionsUnfolded: 160.3 x 141.5 x 6.1 mmFolded: 160.3 x 72.6 x 12.9 mmUnfolded: 156.9 x 141.5 x 5.3 mmFolded: 156.9 x 72.4 x 11.1 mm
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight265 g (9.35 oz)239 g or 241 g (8.43 oz)
 -IPX8 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Kunlun Glass (cover display only)
Resolution1984 x 2272 pixels (~382 ppi density)2224 x 2496 pixels (~426 ppi density)
Size7.9 inches, 199.5 cm2 (~87.9% screen-to-body ratio)7.85 inches, 197.5 cm2 (~88.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeFoldable OLED, 1B colors, 90Hz, HDR10+, 800 nitsFoldable OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz
 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, 6.4 inches, 1080 x 2504 pixels
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 730Adreno 730
OSAndroid 12, MagicOS 7HarmonyOS 3.1 (China), EMUI 13.1 (Europe), no Google Play Services
Memory
Card slotNoNano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal512GB 16GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM
 -UFS
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR
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), AF50 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/3.4, 125mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 13 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), AF
Video4K@30/60fps (10-bit), 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10+4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)8 MP, f/2.4, (wide) Cover camera: 8 MP, f/2.4, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
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
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (B1I+B1c+B2a), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG, Display Port 1.2USB Type-C 3.1, DisplayPort 1.2, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, altimeter
 -BDS Satellite Message
Battery
Charging66W wired 5W reverse wired66W wired 50W wireless 7.5W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhMarket-dependent versions:· Li-Po 4800 mAh (Global)· Si/C Li-Ion 5060 mAh (China only)
Misc
ColorsGold, BlackBlack, White, Violet, Dark Green, Gold
ModelsFRI-AN10ALT-AL00, ALT-L29
PriceAbout 1500 EURAbout 1500 EUR
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 81h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -26.3 LUFS (Good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 993592 (v9) GeekBench: 4283 (v5.5), 4512 (v6) GFXBench: 41fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Honor Magic Vs Ultimate

  • Potentially better performance
  • Refined foldable design
  • Likely superior software experience (region dependent)
  • Premium build quality

  • No wireless charging
  • Camera details are unclear
  • Price may be higher

Huawei Mate X3

  • Exceptional battery life
  • Wireless charging (50W)
  • Reverse wireless charging (7.5W)
  • Sleek and premium design
  • High peak brightness display

  • Performance may be slightly less optimized
  • Software experience can be limited (region dependent)
  • Camera details are unclear

Display Comparison

Both phones feature stunning foldable displays. The Mate X3 boasts a measured peak brightness of 926 nits and an infinite contrast ratio (nominal), suggesting excellent image quality. The Magic Vs Ultimate likely has comparable brightness and color accuracy, though specific measurements are needed for a definitive comparison. The Mate X3's display might have a slight edge in outdoor visibility.

Camera Comparison

Camera performance is a key differentiator. While both phones have 'Photo / Video' capabilities listed, detailed camera specs are missing. We'd expect the Mate X3 to have a strong focus on image processing and potentially offer unique shooting modes. The Magic Vs Ultimate might leverage Honor's image processing expertise for vibrant and detailed photos. A full camera comparison would require extensive testing.

Performance

Both devices are powered by the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, but slight variations in software optimization could impact real-world performance. The Magic Vs Ultimate's software (likely MagicOS) might offer slightly more aggressive performance tuning. Both should handle demanding games and multitasking with ease.

Battery Life

The Huawei Mate X3 shines in this category, boasting an impressive endurance rating of 81 hours. This suggests exceptional battery life. The Honor Magic Vs Ultimate's battery capacity is likely comparable, but the Mate X3's optimization could contribute to its superior longevity. The Mate X3 also offers 50W wireless charging and 7.5W reverse wireless charging, features absent in the Magic Vs Ultimate.

Buying Guide

The Honor Magic Vs Ultimate is ideal for users who prioritize performance and a refined foldable experience. It's a great choice for power users and those who want the latest hardware. The Huawei Mate X3 is perfect for those who value exceptional battery life, wireless charging convenience, and a sleek, premium design. It's a strong contender for users who want a reliable and long-lasting foldable.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which foldable is more durable?
Both phones utilize robust hinge mechanisms, but long-term durability remains to be seen. Reviews and user feedback will provide more insight over time.
❓ Can I use the Mate X3 in the US?
Due to trade restrictions, the Huawei Mate X3 is not officially available in the US. Functionality may be limited due to lack of Google Mobile Services.