Honor Magic4 Ultimate vs Huawei Mate 40 RS Porsche Design: The Ultimate Showdown

The Honor Magic4 Ultimate and Huawei Mate 40 RS Porsche Design represent the pinnacle of Android smartphone engineering. Both boast premium designs, powerful processors, and impressive camera systems, but which one truly delivers the best overall experience? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you decide.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Honor Magic4 Ultimate edges out the Mate 40 RS with its significantly faster charging, slightly more powerful chipset, and competitive camera. However, the Mate 40 RS retains its appeal with its luxurious Porsche Design and refined software experience, making it a strong contender for those prioritizing aesthetics and brand prestige.

PHONES
Phone Names Honor Magic4 Ultimate Huawei Mate 40 RS Porsche Design
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, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA1, 3, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79, 80, 84 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO -
Launch
Announced2022, March 172020, October 22
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, April 22Available. Released 2020, November 04
Body
BuildGlass front, ceramic back, aluminum frameGlass front, ceramic back, aluminum frame
Dimensions163.6 x 74.7 x 11.4 mm (6.44 x 2.94 x 0.45 in)162.9 x 75.5 x 10.1 mm (6.41 x 2.97 x 0.40 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight242 g (8.54 oz)234 g (8.25 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)IP68 dust/water resistant
Display
ProtectionScratch-resistant glass-
Resolution1312 x 2848 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density)1344 x 2772 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~456 ppi density)
Size6.81 inches, 113.7 cm2 (~93.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.76 inches, 115.7 cm2 (~94.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+OLED, HDR10, 90Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x3.13 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.54 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x2.05 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)Kirin 9000 5G (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 730Mali-G78 MP24
OSAndroid 12, Magic UI 6Android 10, EMUI 11, no Google Play Services
Memory
Card slotNoNano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal512GB 12GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1SFS 1.0
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Leica optics, LED flash, panorama, HDR
Quad50 MP, f/1.6, 23mm (wide), 1/1.12", 1.4µm, PDAF 64 MP, f/2.2, 126˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.0", 0.7µm 64 MP, f/3.5, 90mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS, 3.5x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/2.5", PDAF TOF 3D (depth)50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.4, (telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 8 MP, f/4.4, 240mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 10x optical zoom 20 MP, f/1.8, 18mm (ultrawide), PDAF TOF 3D, (depth)
Single12 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide), 1.22µm TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)-
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10, 10-bit video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/480fps, 720p@960fps, 720p@3840fps, HDR, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single12 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide), 1.22µm TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)13 MP, f/2.4, 18mm (ultrawide) TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit audio stereo recording32-bit/384kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.2, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a)GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a+B2b), GALILEO (E1+E5a+E5b), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, 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, ultrasonic), Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFace ID, fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass, infrared thermometer
Battery
Charging100W wired, 100% in 30 min 50W wireless 5W reverse wireless 5W reverse wired66W wired 50W wireless 5W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4600 mAhLi-Po 4400 mAh
Misc
ColorsCeramic Black, Ceramic WhiteCeramic White, Ceramic Black, Collector Edition
ModelsLGE-AN20NOP-AN00
PriceAbout 1150 EURAbout 1400 EUR

Honor Magic4 Ultimate

  • Blazing-fast 100W charging
  • Powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset
  • Excellent camera system
  • Vibrant OLED display

  • Design might be polarizing
  • Software support potentially less extensive than Huawei

Huawei Mate 40 RS Porsche Design

  • Luxurious Porsche Design
  • Refined software experience
  • Excellent Leica-branded cameras
  • Premium build quality

  • Slower charging speeds
  • Kirin 9000 chipset slightly less powerful
  • Potential software limitations due to geopolitical factors

Display Comparison

Both phones feature excellent OLED displays, but the Magic4 Ultimate likely has a slightly brighter panel and potentially a higher refresh rate (assumed 120Hz). The Mate 40 RS boasts a more understated, elegant design, while the Magic4 Ultimate leans towards a more modern, eye-catching aesthetic.

Camera Comparison

The Magic4 Ultimate's camera system, particularly its 50MP main sensor and advanced image processing, is expected to deliver slightly better image quality, especially in low light. The Mate 40 RS's Leica-branded cameras are renowned for their color science and detail, offering a distinct photographic style.

Performance

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the Magic4 Ultimate generally offers superior raw performance compared to the Kirin 9000, particularly in graphics-intensive tasks. However, the Kirin 9000 is still a very capable chip and provides a smooth and responsive user experience. Real-world performance differences may be subtle for everyday use.

Battery Life

The Magic4 Ultimate's 100W wired charging is a game-changer, allowing for incredibly fast charging times. The Mate 40 RS's 66W charging is still respectable, but significantly slower. Both phones offer 50W wireless charging.

Buying Guide

The Honor Magic4 Ultimate is ideal for power users and photography enthusiasts who prioritize speed, charging capabilities, and a vibrant display. The Huawei Mate 40 RS Porsche Design is best suited for those seeking a premium, stylish device with a focus on design and a refined user experience, and who are comfortable with potential software limitations due to geopolitical factors.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Huawei Mate 40 RS still worth buying?
Yes, if you value the Porsche Design aesthetic and a refined software experience. However, be aware of potential software limitations and slower charging compared to newer devices.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Huawei's software support has been impacted by geopolitical factors. Honor generally offers more consistent and timely software updates.