Honor Magic4 Ultimate vs. vivo X80 Pro: A Detailed Flagship Comparison

Both the Honor Magic4 Ultimate and the vivo X80 Pro represent the pinnacle of Android smartphone technology, arriving with top-tier processors and ambitious camera systems. However, they diverge in key areas – the Magic4 Ultimate focuses on raw power and charging speed, while the X80 Pro offers a choice of chipsets and a potentially more refined software experience. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing the absolute fastest charging and a consistently powerful experience, the Honor Magic4 Ultimate takes a slight edge. Its 100W wired and wireless charging significantly outperform the vivo X80 Pro's speeds. However, the X80 Pro’s Dimensity 9000 variant and potentially more optimized software make it a strong contender, especially for those valuing battery endurance.

PHONES
Phone Names Honor Magic4 Ultimate vivo X80 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, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66 - International
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 66, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - China
Launch
Announced2022, March 172022, April 25
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, April 22Available. Released 2022, April 29
Body
BuildGlass front, ceramic back, aluminum frameGlass front (Schott Xensation Up), glass back or ceramic back or eco leather back, aluminum frame
Dimensions163.6 x 74.7 x 11.4 mm (6.44 x 2.94 x 0.45 in)164.6 x 75.3 x 9.1 mm (6.48 x 2.96 x 0.36 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight242 g (8.54 oz)215 g / 219 g (7.58 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionScratch-resistant glassSchott Xensation Up
Resolution1312 x 2848 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density)1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~517 ppi density)
Size6.81 inches, 113.7 cm2 (~93.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 111.4 cm2 (~89.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+LTPO3 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1500 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x3.05 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.85 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 9000 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 730Adreno 730Mali-G710 MC10
OSAndroid 12, Magic UI 6Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, Funtouch 14 (Global), OriginOS Ocean (China)
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal512GB 12GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Zeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, Pixel Shift, dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
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/1.6, (wide), 1/1.3", PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/3.4, (periscope telephoto), 1/4.4", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 12 MP, f/1.9, 50mm (telephoto), 1/2.93", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, 2x optical zoom, gimbal OIS 48 MP, f/2.2, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.0", AF
Single12 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide), 1.22µm TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)32 MP, f/2.5, 24mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10, 10-bit video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single12 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide), 1.22µm TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)32 MP, f/2.5, 24mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit audio stereo recording32-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.2 (Snapdragon)/ 5.3 (Dimensity), A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a)GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, NavIC
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1 (Global)/ 3.2 (China), 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, compassFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging100W wired, 100% in 30 min 50W wireless 5W reverse wireless 5W reverse wired80W wired, 100% in 38 min 50W wireless, 100% in 50 min Reverse wired
TypeLi-Po 4600 mAh4700 mAh
Misc
ColorsCeramic Black, Ceramic WhiteCosmic Black, Blue, Orange
ModelsLGE-AN20V2185A, V2145
PriceAbout 1150 EURAbout 850 EUR
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 79h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -25.1 LUFS (Very good)

Honor Magic4 Ultimate

  • Blazing-fast 100W wired and wireless charging
  • Powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor
  • Potential for peak performance in short bursts

  • Battery capacity unknown, potentially smaller than X80 Pro
  • Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 prone to thermal throttling
  • Software experience may be less refined than vivo

vivo X80 Pro

  • Choice of Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or Dimensity 9000
  • Excellent battery life (79h endurance rating)
  • Potentially more optimized software and camera processing

  • Slower charging speeds compared to Honor Magic4 Ultimate
  • Dimensity 9000 performance gains may be marginal
  • Peak brightness slightly lower than X80 Pro

Display Comparison

Both phones utilize high-quality displays, but the vivo X80 Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 1014 nits, suggesting a potentially more visible screen in direct sunlight. While both likely employ high refresh rate panels (data not provided, assumed based on market segment), the X80 Pro’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio (nominal) hints at superior black levels. Without specific panel technology details (LTPO, AMOLED type) for the Magic4 Ultimate, the X80 Pro appears to have a slight advantage in display quality based on available brightness data.

Camera Comparison

Both phones are marketed as camera powerhouses, but specific sensor details are lacking. The absence of detailed sensor information necessitates a focus on processing. The vivo X80 Pro’s reputation for image processing, particularly in challenging lighting conditions, suggests a potential edge in overall image quality. Without knowing the main sensor sizes or aperture values for the Magic4 Ultimate, it’s difficult to definitively assess its camera capabilities. The presence of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) is assumed on both, given their flagship status, but its effectiveness will vary based on implementation. We'll disregard the likely inclusion of low-resolution macro lenses on both devices as they offer limited practical benefit.

Performance

Both devices are equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm), ensuring comparable raw processing power for most tasks. However, the vivo X80 Pro offers a crucial alternative: the MediaTek Dimensity 9000 (4nm). The Dimensity 9000 features a slightly higher clocked Cortex-X2 core (3.05 GHz vs 3.00 GHz) and Cortex-A710 cores (2.85 GHz vs 2.50 GHz), potentially leading to a marginal performance boost in CPU-intensive workloads. Thermal management will be key; the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is known to throttle under sustained load, and the X80 Pro’s cooling solution will be critical to maximizing the Dimensity 9000’s potential. Both utilize Octa-core configurations with the same Cortex-A510 efficiency cores.

Battery Life

The vivo X80 Pro boasts an endurance rating of 79 hours, indicating strong battery life. While the Honor Magic4 Ultimate’s battery capacity is unknown, its 100W wired charging (30 minutes to 100%) and 100W wireless charging are significantly faster than the X80 Pro’s 80W wired (38 minutes) and 50W wireless (50 minutes). This charging speed advantage allows the Magic4 Ultimate to quickly top up, mitigating any potential capacity disadvantage. The X80 Pro also offers reverse wired charging, a feature also present on the Magic4 Ultimate, albeit at a lower wattage (5W vs unspecified).

Buying Guide

Buy the Honor Magic4 Ultimate if you need the fastest possible charging speeds, consistently high performance, and aren't concerned about potential software quirks. Buy the vivo X80 Pro if you prefer a choice between Snapdragon and Dimensity chipsets, prioritize battery life, and value a potentially more polished software experience with a focus on camera versatility.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the Honor Magic4 Ultimate suffer from overheating during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is known to generate significant heat under sustained load. While Honor likely implements cooling solutions, users should expect some degree of thermal throttling during prolonged gaming. Performance may dip slightly after extended play to prevent overheating.
❓ What are the real-world benefits of choosing the Dimensity 9000 variant of the vivo X80 Pro over the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1?
The Dimensity 9000 offers a slightly higher clocked CPU, potentially resulting in a small performance advantage in CPU-intensive tasks. More importantly, the Dimensity 9000 is often considered more power-efficient than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, potentially leading to better battery life and less thermal throttling.
❓ Is the 5W reverse wireless charging on either device useful for more than just emergencies?
The 5W reverse wireless charging is primarily intended for emergency top-ups of accessories like wireless earbuds or smartwatches. It's too slow to meaningfully charge a phone, but can be a convenient feature for keeping smaller devices powered on the go.
❓ How does the camera processing differ between the Honor Magic4 Ultimate and the vivo X80 Pro, and which is better for natural-looking photos?
Vivo is renowned for its camera processing, often prioritizing vibrant colors and detailed images. Honor's processing style is less well-defined, but generally aims for a balance between detail and accuracy. Users seeking more natural-looking photos may prefer the vivo X80 Pro, while those who enjoy punchier images might lean towards the Honor Magic4 Ultimate.