Honor Magic3 Pro vs. Magic4 Pro: A Detailed Showdown

Honor's Magic series consistently delivers premium smartphones packed with innovative features. The Magic3 Pro and Magic4 Pro are two of their most compelling offerings. But which one deserves your money? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their specs, performance, and overall value to help you decide.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Honor Magic4 Pro edges out the Magic3 Pro thanks to its significantly faster charging, improved chipset, and brighter display. While the Magic3 Pro remains a capable device, the Magic4 Pro represents a worthwhile upgrade for those seeking the latest technology and performance.

PHONES
Phone Names Honor Magic3 Pro Honor Magic4 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, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - China
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2021, August 122022, February 28
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, September 01Available. Released 2022, April 09
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back or vegan leather back, aluminum frameGlass front, aluminum frame, glass back
Dimensions162.8 x 74.9 x 9.0 mm or 9.5 mm163.6 x 74.7 x 9.1 mm or 9.2 mm
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight212 g / 213 g (7.48 oz)209 g / 215 g (7.37 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-Aluminosilicate glass
Resolution1344 x 2772 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~456 ppi density)1312 x 2848 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density)
Size6.76 inches, 115.7 cm2 (~94.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.81 inches, 113.7 cm2 (~93.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+LTPO OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.99 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888+ 5G (5 nm)Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 660Adreno 730
OSAndroid 11, Magic UI 5Android 12, Magic UI 6
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesColor spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, 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)12 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide), 1.22µm TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Triple-50 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF 50 MP, f/2.2, 122˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.5", AF 64 MP, f/3.5, 90mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS, 3.5x optical zoom TOF 3D (depth)
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10, 10-bit video
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single13 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide) TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)12 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide), 1.22µm TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit audio stereo recording
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a)GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, 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, compassFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging66W wired 66W wireless 5W reverse wireless 5W reverse wired100W wired, 100% in 30 min 100W wireless, 50% in 15 min Reverse wireless 5W reverse wired
TypeLi-Po 4600 mAhLi-Po 4600 mAh
Misc
ColorsGolden Hour (Vegan Leather), Black, WhiteBlack, White, Cyan, Gold, Orange
ModelsELZ-AN10LGE-NX9, LGE-N49B, LGE-N19B, LGE-AN10, GBD-NX9
PriceAbout 800 EUR€ 469.41 / £ 397.48
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 82h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -23.6 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 980755 (v9) GeekBench: 3512 (v5.1) GFXBench: 59fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Honor Magic3 Pro

  • Slightly more affordable
  • Capable performance
  • 66W wired and wireless charging
  • Reverse wireless charging

  • Slower charging speeds
  • Older chipset
  • Likely lower display brightness

Honor Magic4 Pro

  • Faster 100W wired and wireless charging
  • More powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset
  • Brighter display
  • Improved image processing (likely)

  • Higher price
  • Potential for thermal throttling (common with Snapdragon 8 Gen 1)

Display Comparison

The Magic4 Pro boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching 957 nits compared to the Magic3 Pro's likely lower peak brightness (spec not explicitly provided, but generally lower). The Magic4 Pro's 'Infinite' contrast ratio suggests superior image quality, though this is a nominal value. Both phones likely feature excellent OLED panels with vibrant colors and smooth refresh rates.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature impressive camera systems, but the Magic4 Pro likely benefits from software optimizations and potentially updated sensors. While both are capable of excellent photo and video capture, the Magic4 Pro's image processing may offer slightly better results, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. Detailed camera specs are missing, but both are expected to offer versatile lens options.

Performance

The Magic4 Pro's Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm) offers a noticeable performance boost over the Magic3 Pro's Snapdragon 888+ (5nm). The newer CPU architecture and manufacturing process translate to faster processing speeds and improved efficiency. Expect smoother multitasking and better gaming performance on the Magic4 Pro.

Battery Life

The Magic4 Pro's 100W wired charging is a game-changer, allowing for a full charge in around 30 minutes. The 100W wireless charging is also significantly faster than the Magic3 Pro's 66W wireless. Both phones have similar battery capacities, and the Magic4 Pro's improved efficiency helps maintain comparable endurance despite the faster charging.

Buying Guide

The Honor Magic3 Pro is a great choice for users who prioritize a slightly more affordable flagship experience and don't need the absolute fastest charging speeds. The Honor Magic4 Pro is ideal for power users, photography enthusiasts, and anyone who wants the latest and greatest features, including blazing-fast 100W charging and a more powerful processor.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Honor Magic4 Pro worth the upgrade from the Magic3 Pro?
If you prioritize fast charging, top-tier performance, and a brighter display, then the Magic4 Pro is a worthwhile upgrade. However, if you're on a tighter budget and don't need the absolute latest features, the Magic3 Pro remains a solid choice.
❓ How does the camera performance of the Magic4 Pro compare to the Magic3 Pro?
Both phones have excellent cameras, but the Magic4 Pro likely benefits from software improvements and potentially updated sensors, resulting in slightly better image quality, especially in low light.