The smartphone landscape evolves rapidly. Today, we pit a flagship powerhouse, the Honor Magic3, against a seasoned veteran, the Huawei Mate 10 Lite. This comparison explores how a modern marvel stacks up against a phone that once defined value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Honor Magic3 utterly dominates in performance and camera capabilities thanks to its Snapdragon 888. While the Mate 10 Lite boasts impressive battery life for its age, it's simply outclassed. The Magic3 is the clear winner for users prioritizing speed and features.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, August 12 | 2017, October. Released 2017, November |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, August 20 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back or vegan leather back, aluminum frame | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 162.8 x 74.9 x 8.99 mm (Glass) / 9.5 mm (Vegan Leather) | 156.2 x 75.2 x 7.5 mm (6.15 x 2.96 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 203 g (Glass) / 202 g (Vegan Leather) (7.16 oz) | 164 g (5.78 oz) |
| | IP54, dust and water resistant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1344 x 2772 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~456 ppi density) | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.76 inches, 115.7 cm2 (~94.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.9 inches, 89.8 cm2 (~76.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+ | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55 | Octa-core (4x2.36 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Kirin 659 (16 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Mali-T830 MP2 |
| OS | Android 11, Magic UI 5 | Android 7.0 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 8.0 (Oreo), EMUI 5.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 16 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide) | - |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF
64 MP, f/1.8, (monochrome)
13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide) | - |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide)
2 MP, depth sensor |
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide) | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 4.2, A2DP, LE, aptX |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a) | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 66W wired
5W reverse wired | - |
| Type | Li-Po 4600 mAh | Li-Ion 3340 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Golden Hour (Vegan Leather), Blue Hour (Vegan Leather), Black, White | Graphite Black, Prestige Gold, Aurora Blue |
| Models | ELZ-AN00 | RNE-L21, RNE-L22, RNE-L01, RNE-L02, RNE-L11, RNE-L23, RNE-L03, RNE-AL00 |
| Price | About 670 EUR | About 190 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -89.2dB / Crosstalk -83.8dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 76h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1852:1 (nominal), 2.654 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 67dB / Noise 71dB / Ring 84dB |
| Performance | - |
GeekBench: 3603 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 2.7fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Honor Magic3
- Blazing-fast performance
- Excellent camera system
- Fast charging (66W)
- 5G connectivity
- Modern features (e.g., reverse wireless charging)
- Higher price point
- Potential for software bloat (depending on region)
Huawei Mate 10 Lite
- Long battery life (76h endurance rating)
- Large display
- Affordable price
- Outdated chipset
- Low camera quality by modern standards
- No 5G
- Slow performance
- Older software
Display Comparison
Both phones share a surprisingly similar contrast ratio (1852:1 nominal, 2.654 in sunlight), suggesting comparable image quality in those areas. However, the Magic3 likely features a higher resolution and refresh rate (likely 120Hz) for smoother visuals and sharper details, a significant advantage. The Mate 10 Lite's display is likely less vibrant and accurate by today's standards.
Camera Comparison
The Magic3's camera system is expected to be far more advanced, likely featuring multiple lenses with higher resolution sensors and advanced image processing capabilities. Expect better low-light performance, more detail, and more versatile shooting options. The Mate 10 Lite's camera is adequate for basic photography but lacks the features and image quality of a modern flagship.
Performance
The difference here is staggering. The Magic3's Snapdragon 888 chipset and Octa-core CPU (with a Cortex-X1 prime core) offer vastly superior processing power compared to the Mate 10 Lite's Kirin 659. Expect significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and effortless handling of demanding games on the Magic3. The Mate 10 Lite will struggle with modern apps and games.
Battery Life
The Mate 10 Lite's endurance rating of 76h is impressive, especially considering its age. However, the Magic3's 66W fast charging likely allows it to reach a full charge much faster, potentially offsetting any slight difference in overall battery capacity. The Magic3 also supports reverse wireless charging.
Buying Guide
The Honor Magic3 is for power users, gamers, and photography enthusiasts who demand top-tier performance and cutting-edge features. The Huawei Mate 10 Lite is a budget-friendly option for those prioritizing long battery life and a large display, but understand it's a significantly older device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Honor Magic3 worth the extra cost?
Yes, if you prioritize performance, camera quality, and modern features. The Mate 10 Lite is a budget option, but the Magic3 offers a vastly superior experience.
❓ Can the Huawei Mate 10 Lite still be used in 2024?
Yes, but be aware that it's an older device with limited software updates and potential compatibility issues with newer apps. It's best suited for basic tasks.
