Honor Magic3 Pro+ vs Huawei Mate 40 Pro: Which Flagship Reigns Supreme?

The Honor Magic3 Pro+ and Huawei Mate 40 Pro 4G were both top-tier contenders in their respective years. Both boast impressive specs and premium features, but which one holds up best today? We're diving deep into a head-to-head comparison to help you decide.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Honor Magic3 Pro+ edges out the Mate 40 Pro due to its Snapdragon 888+ chipset offering slightly better sustained performance and 5G connectivity. While the Mate 40 Pro's camera remains excellent, the Magic3 Pro+'s overall package provides a more modern and versatile experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Honor Magic3 Pro+ Huawei Mate 40 Pro 4G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 HSDPA 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, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA-
SpeedHSPA, LTE-A, 5GHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2021, August 122021, June 28
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, September 19Available. Released 2021, July 09
Body
BuildGlass front, ceramic back, aluminum frameGlass front, glass back or eco leather back, aluminum frame
Dimensions162.8 x 74.9 x 9.9 mm (6.41 x 2.95 x 0.39 in)162.9 x 75.5 x 9.1 mm (Glass) / 9.5mm (Leather)
SIMDual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight236 g (8.32 oz)212 g (7.48 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)IP68 dust/water resistant
Display
Resolution1344 x 2772 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~456 ppi density)1344 x 2772 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~456 ppi density)
Size6.76 inches, 115.7 cm2 (~94.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.76 inches, 115.7 cm2 (~94.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+OLED, HDR10, 90Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.99 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x3.13 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.54 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x2.05 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888+ 5G (5 nm)Kirin 9000 (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 660Mali-G78 MP24
OSAndroid 11, Magic UI 5HarmonyOS 2.0
Memory
Card slotNoNano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal512GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Leica optics, LED flash, panorama, HDR
Quad50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 64 MP, f/3.5, 90mm (telephoto), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS, 3.5x optical zoom, 10x hybrid zoom 64 MP, f/1.8, (monochrome) 64 MP, f/2.4, 11mm 126˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF TOF 3D (depth)-
Single13 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide) TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)13 MP, f/2.4, 18mm (ultrawide) TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Triple-50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, multi-directional PDAF 12 MP, f/3.4, 125mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 20 MP, f/1.8, 18mm (ultrawide), PDAF
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/480fps, 720p@960fps, 720p@3840fps, HDR, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single13 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide) TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)13 MP, f/2.4, 18mm (ultrawide) TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Video1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jack-No
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 -32-bit/384kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.2, A2DP, LE
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a)GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a+B2b), GALILEO (E1+E5a+E5b), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1, 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 (under display, optical), Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, color spectrumFace ID, fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass
Battery
Charging66W wired 66W wireless 5W reverse wireless 5W reverse wired66W wired 50W wireless 5W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4600 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 4400 mAh
Misc
ColorsCeramic Black, Ceramic WhiteMystic Silver, White, Black, Green, Yellow
ModelsELZ-AN20NOH-AL00, NOH-AL10
PriceAbout 1070 EURAbout 800 EUR

Honor Magic3 Pro+

  • Superior Performance (Snapdragon 888+)
  • Faster 120Hz Display
  • Faster Wireless Charging (66W)
  • 5G Connectivity
  • More Recent Software Updates

  • Design might be less distinctive than Mate 40 Pro
  • Camera, while good, doesn't quite match Mate 40 Pro in still photography

Huawei Mate 40 Pro 4G

  • Exceptional Camera Quality (especially low light)
  • Premium Design and Build Quality
  • Accurate Color Reproduction on Display

  • Slower Performance compared to Magic3 Pro+
  • No 5G Connectivity
  • Potential Software Limitations due to US Trade Ban
  • Slower Wireless Charging (50W)

Display Comparison

Both phones feature excellent OLED displays with vibrant colors and smooth refresh rates (90Hz for Mate 40 Pro, 120Hz for Magic3 Pro+). The Magic3 Pro+’s 120Hz refresh rate provides a slightly more fluid experience, while the Mate 40 Pro’s display is known for its accurate color reproduction. Both have curved edges, which some users may find aesthetically pleasing, while others prefer flat screens.

Camera Comparison

The Huawei Mate 40 Pro’s camera system is renowned for its exceptional image quality, particularly in low light. Its RYYB sensor technology captures more light. The Magic3 Pro+ also has a very capable camera system, offering versatile shooting options and impressive video recording capabilities. While the Mate 40 Pro excels in still photography, the Magic3 Pro+ offers a more balanced camera experience.

Performance

The Snapdragon 888+ in the Magic3 Pro+ generally outperforms the Kirin 9000 in the Mate 40 Pro, especially in sustained workloads. The Kirin 9000 was impressive at launch, but the 888+ benefits from Qualcomm's optimizations. Both offer flagship-level performance for everyday tasks and gaming.

Battery Life

Both phones offer 66W wired charging, providing relatively fast charging times. The wireless charging speeds differ (50W for Mate 40 Pro, 66W for Magic3 Pro+). Battery life is comparable, typically lasting a full day with moderate usage. Both include reverse wireless charging.

Buying Guide

The Honor Magic3 Pro+ is ideal for users prioritizing raw performance, 5G capabilities, and a more recent software experience. The Huawei Mate 40 Pro 4G is a strong choice for those who value exceptional camera quality and a refined design, understanding potential software limitations due to the US trade ban.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Huawei Mate 40 Pro still worth buying?
It's a good option if you prioritize camera quality and don't need 5G. However, be aware of potential software limitations due to the US trade ban.
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The Honor Magic3 Pro+ with its Snapdragon 888+ generally offers better sustained gaming performance.