Honor Magic3 Pro vs. Google Pixel 7 Pro: A Deep Dive into Flagship Android

The Honor Magic3 Pro, released in 2021, offered a compelling flagship experience with a focus on raw power and fast charging. Now, with the Google Pixel 7 Pro representing Google’s 2022 offering, the question arises: does Google’s Tensor G2 and AI-driven features outweigh the Magic3 Pro’s Snapdragon 888+ and charging prowess? This comparison dissects both phones to reveal which one delivers the best overall experience.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Google Pixel 7 Pro emerges as the better choice. While the Honor Magic3 Pro boasts faster charging and a slightly older but still potent Snapdragon 888+ chipset, the Pixel 7 Pro’s superior camera system, refined software experience, and comparable battery life make it the more well-rounded flagship.

PHONES
Phone Names Honor Magic3 Pro Google Pixel 7 Pro
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, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 - GE2AE
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 257, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - GE2AE
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 75, 76, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GP4BC
Launch
Announced2021, August 122022, October 06
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, September 01Available. Released 2022, October 13
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back or vegan leather back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame
Dimensions162.8 x 74.9 x 9.0 mm or 9.5 mm162.9 x 76.6 x 8.9 mm (6.41 x 3.02 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight212 g / 213 g (7.48 oz)212 g (7.48 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1344 x 2772 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~456 ppi density)1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~512 ppi density)
Size6.76 inches, 115.7 cm2 (~94.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 110.6 cm2 (~88.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+LTPO AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM), 1500 nits (peak)
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.99 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888+ 5G (5 nm)Google Tensor G2 (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 660Mali-G710 MP7
OSAndroid 11, Magic UI 5Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 -UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesColor spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama
Quad50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF 64 MP, f/3.5, 90mm (telephoto), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS, 3.5x optical zoom 64 MP, f/1.8, (monochrome) 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), PDAF TOF 3D (depth)-
Single13 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide) TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)10.8 MP, f/2.2, 21mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.22µm
Triple-50 MP, f/1.9, 25mm (wide), 1/1.31", 1.2µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 48 MP, f/3.5, 120mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.55", 0.7µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 126˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.9", 1.25µm, AF
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, OIS, 10-bit HDR
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single13 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide) TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)10.8 MP, f/2.2, 21mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.22µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@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
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a)GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2
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 (under display, optical), Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 -Ultra Wideband (UWB) support
Battery
Charging66W wired 66W wireless 5W reverse wireless 5W reverse wired23W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 30 min 23W wireless Reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4600 mAhLi-Ion 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsGolden Hour (Vegan Leather), Black, WhiteObsidian, Snow, Hazel
ModelsELZ-AN10GP4BC, GE2AE, GFE4J
PriceAbout 800 EUR€ 248.84 / $ 204.00 / £ 259.99 / ₹ 36,999
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 83h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -24.8 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 796369 (v9) GeekBench: 3187 (v5.1) GFXBench: 34fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Honor Magic3 Pro

  • Significantly faster wired and wireless charging (66W)
  • Potentially higher raw CPU performance with Snapdragon 888+
  • Reverse wired charging capability

  • Less refined software experience compared to Pixel
  • Potentially less consistent camera performance
  • Older chipset compared to Tensor G2

Google Pixel 7 Pro

  • Superior camera system with AI-powered image processing
  • Clean Android experience with guaranteed updates
  • Optimized performance with Google Tensor G2

  • Slower charging speeds (23W)
  • Less raw CPU power compared to Snapdragon 888+
  • Relies heavily on software for camera performance

Display Comparison

The Google Pixel 7 Pro’s display achieves a measured peak brightness of 1090 nits, offering excellent visibility in direct sunlight. While the Honor Magic3 Pro’s display specs aren’t provided, the Pixel 7 Pro’s infinite contrast ratio (nominal) suggests deeper blacks and a more vibrant picture. Both likely utilize OLED technology, but the Pixel 7 Pro’s adaptive refresh rate (LTPO) is a key advantage, dynamically adjusting between 10Hz and 120Hz for smoother scrolling and improved power efficiency. The Pixel 7 Pro’s higher brightness is particularly beneficial for outdoor use.

Camera Comparison

The Google Pixel 7 Pro is renowned for its computational photography prowess. While specific sensor details aren’t provided in the context data, Google’s image processing algorithms consistently deliver exceptional dynamic range, accurate colors, and impressive low-light performance. The Pixel 7 Pro’s camera excels in both photo and video capture. The Honor Magic3 Pro’s camera capabilities are less detailed in the provided data, but its focus on hardware suggests a strong emphasis on sensor size and lens quality. However, without specific sensor information, it’s difficult to directly compare it to the Pixel 7 Pro’s AI-powered image processing. The Pixel 7 Pro’s consistent image quality and advanced features like Magic Eraser give it a clear advantage.

Performance

Both devices employ an octa-core CPU configuration with Cortex-X1, A78, and A55 cores, but differ significantly in their chipsets. The Honor Magic3 Pro utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888+ 5G (5nm), while the Pixel 7 Pro features Google’s in-house Tensor G2 (5nm). The Pixel 7 Pro’s Tensor G2 prioritizes AI and machine learning tasks, enhancing features like voice recognition and image processing. The Snapdragon 888+ in the Magic3 Pro, with its 2.99 GHz Cortex-X1 prime core, may offer a slight edge in raw CPU performance for certain tasks, but the Tensor G2’s optimized architecture and software integration provide a smoother, more responsive experience overall. Both phones utilize LPDDR5 RAM, but the Pixel 7 Pro’s software optimizations likely mitigate any potential performance gap.

Battery Life

Both the Honor Magic3 Pro and Google Pixel 7 Pro achieve an endurance rating of 83 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, their charging capabilities differ drastically. The Honor Magic3 Pro supports an impressive 66W wired charging, capable of rapidly replenishing the battery, alongside 66W wireless charging. In contrast, the Pixel 7 Pro offers 23W wired charging (PD3.0, 50% in 30 min) and 23W wireless charging. While the Pixel 7 Pro’s charging isn’t slow, the Magic3 Pro’s significantly faster charging speeds are a major advantage for users who prioritize quick top-ups. The Magic3 Pro also offers 5W reverse wired and wireless charging, a feature also present on the Pixel 7 Pro.

Buying Guide

Buy the Honor Magic3 Pro if you prioritize absolute charging speed and are comfortable with a less polished software experience. Its 66W wired and wireless charging are unmatched in this comparison. Buy the Google Pixel 7 Pro if you value computational photography, a clean Android experience with guaranteed updates, and a more integrated ecosystem of Google services. The Pixel 7 Pro excels in areas where software and AI can elevate the user experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Google Tensor G2 chip in the Pixel 7 Pro get noticeably warm during extended gaming sessions?
While the Tensor G2 isn't known for raw thermal performance like some Snapdragon chips, Google has implemented thermal management strategies to prevent overheating. Users report moderate warmth during prolonged gaming, but not to the extent of significant throttling or discomfort. The Pixel 7 Pro prioritizes sustained performance over peak bursts.
❓ How does the 23W charging on the Pixel 7 Pro compare to other flagship phones with faster charging capabilities?
23W is relatively slow compared to the 66W offered by the Honor Magic3 Pro or the 80W+ found on some other flagships. However, Google’s charging optimization and battery health management aim to prolong the battery’s lifespan. While it takes longer to fully charge, the Pixel 7 Pro can gain a substantial charge (around 50%) in 30 minutes.
❓ Is the Magic Eraser feature on the Pixel 7 Pro truly effective at removing unwanted objects from photos?
Yes, Magic Eraser is a standout feature of the Pixel 7 Pro. Powered by Google’s Tensor G2, it utilizes AI to intelligently identify and remove distracting elements from photos with impressive accuracy. While not perfect in all scenarios, it’s remarkably effective and often produces natural-looking results.
❓ Does the Honor Magic3 Pro still receive software updates and security patches?
Software update support for the Honor Magic3 Pro is limited. While it initially launched with a specific version of Android and EMUI, ongoing updates are less frequent compared to Google’s Pixel devices, which receive guaranteed updates for several years. This is a key consideration for users who prioritize long-term software support.