The smartphone market is brimming with options, making it tough to choose. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Honor Magic3, boasting flagship power, and the Tecno Phantom X, known for its impressive battery life and stylish design. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to see which phone emerges victorious.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Honor Magic3 takes the lead thanks to its significantly more powerful Snapdragon 888 chipset, offering superior performance and smoother multitasking. While the Tecno Phantom X excels in battery endurance and offers a compelling design, the Magic3's processing power makes it the better overall choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | LTE |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, August 12 | 2021, June 24 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, August 20 | Available. Released 2021, July 06 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back or vegan leather back, aluminum frame | Glass front, glass back (Gorilla Glass 5) |
| Dimensions | 162.8 x 74.9 x 8.99 mm (Glass) / 9.5 mm (Vegan Leather) | 163.5 x 73.8 x 8.7 mm (6.44 x 2.91 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 203 g (Glass) / 202 g (Vegan Leather) (7.16 oz) | 201 g (7.09 oz) |
| | IP54, dust and water resistant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1344 x 2772 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~456 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~385 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.76 inches, 115.7 cm2 (~94.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~91.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+ | Super AMOLED, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55 | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Mediatek MT6785V/CD Helio G95 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Mali-G76 MC4 |
| OS | Android 11, Magic UI 5 | Android 11, HIOS 7.6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 48 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm
8 MP, f/2.2, 105˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Laser AF, Quad-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) | 50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.3", 1.2µm, dual pixel PDAF
13 MP, f/2.4, 50mm (telephoto), PDAF, 2x optical zoom
8 MP, f/2.3, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 48 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm
8 MP, f/2.2, 105˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Features | HDR | Dual-LED flash |
| 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 | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a) | GPS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG | USB Type-C 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/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 66W wired
5W reverse wired | 33W wired, 70% in 30 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4600 mAh | 4700 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Golden Hour (Vegan Leather), Blue Hour (Vegan Leather), Black, White | Starry Night Blue, Monet Summer |
| Models | ELZ-AN00 | AC8 |
| Price | About 670 EUR | About 470 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 122h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-26.7 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 309055 (v8)
GeekBench: 1670 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Honor Magic3
- Flagship Snapdragon 888 performance
- High refresh rate OLED display
- Versatile camera system
- Fast 66W charging
- Premium build quality
- Higher price point
- Battery life not as exceptional as Phantom X
- Can get warm under heavy load
Tecno Phantom X
- Exceptional battery life (122h endurance)
- Stylish design
- More affordable price
- 33W fast charging
- Mid-range Helio G95 chipset
- Lower display brightness
- Camera performance not as strong as Magic3
- Potential for software bloat
Display Comparison
The Honor Magic3 typically features an OLED display with a high refresh rate (often 120Hz), offering vibrant colors, deep blacks, and smooth scrolling. The Tecno Phantom X has a decent display, but its 405 nits brightness is lower, potentially making it less visible in direct sunlight. Contrast ratio is listed as 'infinite' which is a nominal value and doesn't provide concrete data.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer capable camera systems. The Honor Magic3 often includes a versatile triple-camera setup with a high-resolution main sensor, an ultrawide lens, and a telephoto lens. The Tecno Phantom X's camera is generally good for its price range, but likely lacks the advanced features and image processing capabilities of the Magic3. Low-light performance is expected to be better on the Magic3.
Performance
Here's where the Honor Magic3 truly shines. The Snapdragon 888 chipset is a flagship-level processor, delivering exceptional speed and responsiveness. The Tecno Phantom X's Helio G95 is a mid-range chip, capable for everyday tasks but struggling with demanding games or heavy multitasking. Expect noticeable lag on the Phantom X compared to the Magic3.
Battery Life
The Tecno Phantom X boasts an impressive endurance rating of 122 hours, suggesting exceptional battery life. The Honor Magic3, while having a decent battery, doesn't match the Phantom X's longevity. However, the Magic3's 66W fast charging can quickly replenish its battery.
Buying Guide
The Honor Magic3 is ideal for power users, gamers, and anyone who demands top-tier performance. The Tecno Phantom X is a great option for those prioritizing long battery life, a stylish design, and a more budget-friendly price point.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Honor Magic3 is significantly better for gaming due to its powerful Snapdragon 888 chipset and high refresh rate display.
❓ Is the Tecno Phantom X worth buying if battery life is my top priority?
Absolutely! The Phantom X's exceptional battery life makes it a strong contender if you need a phone that can last for days on a single charge.
❓ Does the Honor Magic3 have 5G connectivity?
Yes, the Honor Magic3 supports 5G connectivity.
❓ What is the typical price range for each phone?
The Honor Magic3 typically retails in the $500-$700 range, while the Tecno Phantom X is usually found in the $200-$300 range.
