Honor's Magic series offers compelling mid-range smartphones, and the Magic4 Lite and Magic5 Lite are two popular contenders. Both phones provide a solid experience, but key differences exist. This comprehensive comparison will help you determine which model best suits your needs and budget.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Honor Magic5 Lite edges out the Magic4 Lite thanks to its significantly brighter display and faster charging. While both share the same processor, the Magic5 Lite's improvements in screen and charging make it the slightly better overall choice, especially for those prioritizing visual clarity and quick top-ups.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | LTE |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, March 23 | 2023, February 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, April 26 | Available. Released 2023, February 20 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 166 x 75.8 x 8 mm (6.54 x 2.98 x 0.31 in) | 161.6 x 73.9 x 7.9 mm (6.36 x 2.91 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 189 g (6.67 oz) | 175 g (6.17 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Scratch/drop-resistant glass |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~385 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.81 inches, 112.3 cm2 (~89.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~89.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 11, Magic UI 4.2 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, MagicOS 7.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5 | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5 | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 66W wired | 40W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4800 mAh | Li-Po 5100 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Titanium Silver, Ocean Blue, Midnight Black | Midnight Black, Emerald Green, Titanium Silver |
| Models | ANY-LX1, ANY-LX2, ANY-LX3 | RMO-NX1, RMO-NX3 |
| Price | About 180 EUR | About 190 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 104h
|
Endurance rating 111h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1229:1 |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-34.0 LUFS (Poor)
|
-31.4 LUFS (Below average)
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 387218 (v9)
GeekBench: 1906 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 387250 (v9)
GeekBench: 1912 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 18fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Honor Magic4 Lite
- Excellent battery life
- Fast 66W charging
- Good value for money
- Vibrant OLED display
- Lower display brightness compared to Magic5 Lite
- Camera details are limited
- Slightly older design
Honor Magic5 Lite
- Brighter display (864 nits)
- Slightly longer endurance rating
- More modern design
- Improved image processing (likely)
- Slower 40W charging
- Potentially higher price
- Camera details are limited
Display Comparison
The display is a key differentiator. The Magic4 Lite boasts a respectable 1229:1 contrast ratio, but the Magic5 Lite shines with a measured 864 nits of peak brightness – a substantial improvement. The Magic5 Lite's 'Infinite' contrast ratio is a nominal value, but the brightness difference is tangible, making the Magic5 Lite better for outdoor visibility and media consumption. Both use OLED panels, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks.
Camera Comparison
While both are listed as 'Photo / Video', detailed camera specifications are missing. Based on general knowledge, the Magic5 Lite likely features slightly improved image processing and potentially a more advanced main sensor, resulting in marginally better photo quality, especially in low light. However, the difference is unlikely to be drastic.
Performance
Both phones utilize the Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G chipset and the same Octa-core CPU. Performance will be largely similar in everyday tasks and moderate gaming. Don't expect flagship-level performance from either device, but they're capable enough for most users.
Battery Life
Both phones offer excellent battery life, with endurance ratings of 104h and 111h respectively. The Magic5 Lite has a slight edge in longevity. However, the Magic4 Lite's 66W charging is faster than the Magic5 Lite's 40W charging, meaning it will reach full charge quicker, despite the slightly lower endurance rating.
Buying Guide
The Honor Magic4 Lite is a great option for budget-conscious buyers who prioritize long battery life and don't need the absolute brightest display. The Honor Magic5 Lite is ideal for users who value a vibrant, brighter screen, faster charging speeds, and a slightly more modern design, even if it means a slightly higher price.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 695 5G a good processor?
The Snapdragon 695 5G is a capable mid-range processor suitable for everyday tasks, social media, and moderate gaming. It won't handle demanding games at high settings, but it provides a smooth experience for most users.
❓ Which phone has better low-light camera performance?
Based on general expectations, the Honor Magic5 Lite likely has slightly better low-light camera performance due to potential improvements in image processing and sensor technology, but detailed comparisons are needed to confirm.
