Honor Magic5 Lite vs Google Pixel 7a: A Deep Dive into Value and Endurance
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing all-day battery life and a lower price, the Honor Magic5 Lite is the better choice. However, the Google Pixel 7a delivers a significantly more powerful processor and superior camera experience, justifying its higher cost for photography enthusiasts and power users.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Honor Magic5 Lite | Google Pixel 7a |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71 - GWKK3, G0DZQ |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GWKK3 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GHL1X, G82U8 | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2023, February 15 | 2023, May 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, February 20 | Available. Released 2023, May 10 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 161.6 x 73.9 x 7.9 mm (6.36 x 2.91 x 0.31 in) | 152 x 72.9 x 9 mm (5.98 x 2.87 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 175 g (6.17 oz) | 193.5 g (6.84 oz) |
| - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Scratch/drop-resistant glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~429 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~89.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.1 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM) | OLED, HDR, 90Hz |
| - | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | Google Tensor G2 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G710 MP7 |
| OS | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, MagicOS 7.1 | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| - | UFS 3.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 5 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) | 64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, OIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 3.2 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 40W wired | 18W wired, PD3.0 7.5W wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 5100 mAh | Li-Po 4385 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Midnight Black, Emerald Green, Titanium Silver | Charcoal, Snow, Sea, Coral |
| Models | RMO-NX1, RMO-NX3 | GWKK3, GHL1X, G0DZQ, G82U8 |
| Price | About 190 EUR | € 179.90 / $ 150.00 / £ 170.00 / ₹ 25,980 |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | Endurance rating 111h | - |
| Camera | Photo / Video | - |
| Display | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker | -31.4 LUFS (Below average) | - |
| Performance | AnTuTu: 387250 (v9) GeekBench: 1912 (v5.1) GFXBench: 18fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Honor Magic5 Lite
- Exceptional battery life (111h endurance)
- Faster 40W wired charging
- More affordable price point
- Less powerful Snapdragon 695 chipset
- Lower peak display brightness
Google Pixel 7a
- Powerful Google Tensor G2 processor
- Superior camera quality and image processing
- Brighter and smoother 90Hz display
- Shorter battery life (76h endurance)
- Slower 18W wired charging
Display Comparison
The Pixel 7a boasts a brighter display, reaching 1070 nits compared to the Honor Magic5 Lite’s 864 nits, making it more legible outdoors under direct sunlight. While both displays have an infinite (nominal) contrast ratio, the Pixel 7a’s higher peak brightness provides a more vibrant and visually appealing experience. The lack of refresh rate information for the Magic5 Lite suggests it likely operates at 60Hz, while the Pixel 7a is confirmed to have a 90Hz panel, resulting in smoother scrolling and animations. The Pixel 7a’s smaller bezels also contribute to a more modern aesthetic.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer photo and video capabilities, but the Pixel 7a is expected to excel due to Google’s computational photography prowess. While sensor sizes aren’t specified, the Pixel 7a benefits from Google’s image processing algorithms, delivering superior dynamic range, detail, and low-light performance. The Magic5 Lite’s camera system is likely more focused on providing acceptable results at a lower cost, lacking the advanced features and image quality of the Pixel. Ignoring the likely low-resolution macro lenses on both devices, the Pixel 7a’s overall camera system is a clear advantage.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Google Pixel 7a’s Tensor G2, fabricated on a 5nm process, significantly outperforms the Honor Magic5 Lite’s Snapdragon 695 (6nm). The Tensor G2’s octa-core configuration, featuring Cortex-X1 and Cortex-A78 cores, delivers substantially faster processing speeds (2.85 GHz vs 2.2 GHz) and improved AI capabilities. This translates to quicker app launches, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user experience, particularly noticeable in demanding tasks like video editing or gaming. The Snapdragon 695 is adequate for everyday tasks, but will struggle with resource-intensive applications. The Pixel 7a’s likely faster LPDDR5 RAM (vs. potentially LPDDR4X in the Magic5 Lite) further enhances performance.
Battery Life
The Honor Magic5 Lite shines in battery endurance, boasting an impressive 111-hour rating, significantly exceeding the Pixel 7a’s 76-hour rating. This translates to potentially two full days of use on a single charge for the Magic5 Lite, while the Pixel 7a may require daily charging. However, the Pixel 7a offers faster charging with 18W wired charging and 7.5W wireless charging, while the Magic5 Lite supports 40W wired charging, allowing for quicker top-ups when needed. The trade-off is clear: the Magic5 Lite prioritizes longevity, while the Pixel 7a offers faster replenishment.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor Magic5 Lite if you need a phone that can reliably last through two full days of moderate use and value affordability above all else. It’s ideal for users who primarily browse, message, and occasionally take photos. Buy the Google Pixel 7a if you prioritize camera quality, smooth performance for demanding apps, and access to Google’s latest software features, even if it means sacrificing some battery endurance and paying a premium.