Honor Magic Vs Ultimate vs Xiaomi Mix Fold 3: A Deep Dive into Foldable Supremacy

The foldable phone market is maturing, and the Honor Magic Vs Ultimate and Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 represent two distinct approaches to this emerging form factor. The Honor offers a more established, refined experience, while the Xiaomi aims to push boundaries with the latest silicon. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which foldable delivers the best overall package.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 emerges as the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset provides a significant performance uplift over the Honor’s 8+ Gen 1, coupled with faster 67W wired and 50W wireless charging. While the Honor is a capable device, the Xiaomi’s advancements justify the price premium.

PHONES
Phone Names Honor Magic Vs Ultimate Xiaomi Mix Fold 3
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, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1x -
Launch
Announced2022, November 232023, August 14
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, December 30Available. Released 2023, August 14
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, magnesium alloy frame, titanium alloy folding mechanismGlass front (folded), plastic front (unfolded), glass back or aramid fiber back, aluminum frame
DimensionsUnfolded: 160.3 x 141.5 x 6.1 mmFolded: 160.3 x 72.6 x 12.9 mmUnfolded: 161.2 x 143.3 x 5.3 mm Folded: 161.2 x 73.5 x 10.9 mm
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight265 g (9.35 oz)255 g or 259 g (8.99 oz)
Display
Resolution1984 x 2272 pixels (~382 ppi density)1916 x 2160 pixels (~360 ppi density)
Size7.9 inches, 199.5 cm2 (~87.9% screen-to-body ratio)8.03 inches, 206.5 cm2 (~89.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeFoldable OLED, 1B colors, 90Hz, HDR10+, 800 nitsFoldable LTPO OLED+, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 1300 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 ppi-
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 730Adreno 740
OSAndroid 12, MagicOS 7Android 13, upgradable to Android 14, HyperOS
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal512GB 16GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaColor spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama, Leica lenses
Quad-50 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/1.49", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 10 MP, f/2.0, 75mm (telephoto), 1/3.94", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3.2x optical zoom 10 MP, f/2.9, 115mm (telephoto), 1/3.94", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 15mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm
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), AF-
Video4K@30/60fps (10-bit), 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10+8K@24fps, 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960/1920fps, Dolby Vision HDR
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)20 MP, f/2.3, 23mm (wide), 1/4.0", 0.8µm Cover camera: 20 MP, f/2.3, 23mm (wide), 1/4.0", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack No-
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.3, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
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/7, dual-band (tri-band after future SW update)
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging66W wired 5W reverse wired67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 40 min 50W wireless, 100% in 55 min
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 4800 mAh
Misc
ColorsGold, BlackBlack, Gold
ModelsFRI-AN102308CPXD0C
PriceAbout 1500 EURAbout 1150 EUR

Honor Magic Vs Ultimate

  • Refined foldable design
  • Proven Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 performance
  • Competent camera system (assumed)

  • Older chipset compared to Xiaomi
  • Slower charging speeds
  • No wireless charging

Xiaomi Mix Fold 3

  • Latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset
  • Fast 67W wired and 50W wireless charging
  • High peak display brightness (1277 nits)

  • Potentially higher price
  • Newer design may have unforeseen issues
  • Foldable durability concerns (inherent to the form factor)

Display Comparison

The Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 boasts a measured peak brightness of 1277 nits, a substantial advantage over what we’d expect from the Honor, suggesting superior outdoor visibility. While both utilize foldable OLED panels, the Xiaomi’s higher brightness and likely more advanced panel calibration contribute to a more vibrant and usable experience. Details regarding refresh rates and hinge mechanisms are missing, but the Xiaomi’s focus on maximizing screen real estate and brightness is evident.

Camera Comparison

Context data is limited regarding camera specifics. However, given Xiaomi’s recent camera advancements, it’s reasonable to assume the Mix Fold 3 features a more sophisticated camera system. The Honor likely relies on a competent, but less cutting-edge, setup. Without sensor size or aperture details, it’s difficult to make a definitive statement, but Xiaomi’s history suggests a focus on computational photography and image processing, potentially resulting in more dynamic range and detail in challenging lighting conditions. We can assume both phones will offer a versatile camera experience, but the Xiaomi likely has the edge.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Mix Fold 3’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (SM8550-AC) represents a generational leap over the Honor Magic Vs Ultimate’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (SM8475). The Gen 2 features a newer Cortex-X3 prime core clocked at 3.36 GHz versus the X2 in the Honor, alongside improved Cortex-A715 and A710 cores. This translates to a noticeable performance boost in demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. The 4nm process node of both chips is similar, but the architectural improvements in the Gen 2 offer better efficiency and sustained performance. The Xiaomi’s LPDDR5x RAM further enhances its performance capabilities.

Battery Life

The Xiaomi Mix Fold 3’s charging capabilities are a clear win. 67W wired charging with PD3.0 and QC4 support, achieving 100% in 40 minutes, is significantly faster than the Honor’s 66W wired charging. Furthermore, the addition of 50W wireless charging, reaching 100% in 55 minutes, provides unparalleled convenience. While the Honor offers 5W reverse wired charging, the Xiaomi’s faster charging speeds and wireless option are more impactful for daily use. The Xiaomi’s reported 117-hour endurance rating suggests efficient power management, potentially offsetting any capacity differences.

Buying Guide

Buy the Honor Magic Vs Ultimate if you prioritize a proven design and are comfortable with slightly older, but still very capable, hardware. It’s a solid option for those seeking a refined foldable experience without the absolute latest specs. Buy the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 if you demand the best possible performance, fastest charging speeds (both wired and wireless), and are willing to invest in the newest generation of foldable technology.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 get noticeably warmer than the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in the Honor Magic Vs Ultimate during extended gaming sessions?
While the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is more powerful, its improved efficiency and advanced thermal management features should prevent significant overheating. The Honor’s 8+ Gen 1 is known to be thermally efficient, but the Gen 2’s architectural improvements and potentially better cooling solutions in the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 should result in sustained performance without excessive throttling.
❓ How does the hinge durability compare between the Honor Magic Vs Ultimate and the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3, and are there any known issues with either device?
Hinge durability is a critical concern for foldable phones. While long-term data is still emerging, both Honor and Xiaomi have made significant strides in hinge design. The Honor Magic Vs Ultimate has been on the market longer, providing more real-world usage data, but early reports on the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 suggest a robust and reliable hinge mechanism. It's crucial to check user reviews and independent durability tests for the latest information.
❓ Is the 5W reverse wireless charging on the Honor Magic Vs Ultimate practical for charging accessories like earbuds or smartwatches?
The 5W reverse wireless charging on the Honor is primarily a convenience feature rather than a fast charging solution. It's suitable for topping up small accessories like earbuds or smartwatches, but it will be significantly slower than using a dedicated charger. Don't expect to quickly charge a larger device like a smartphone using this feature.