Honor's Magic series offers compelling options at different price points. The Magic5 Lite aims for affordability, while the Magic5 targets flagship performance. But which one is right for you? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Honor Magic5 is the clear winner for performance and camera capabilities thanks to its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip. However, the Magic5 Lite offers exceptional battery life and a more budget-friendly price, making it a strong contender for value-conscious buyers.
| 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, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - China |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| | - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, February 15 | 2023, February 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, February 20 | Available. Released 2023, March 31 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, glass back or eco leather back |
| Dimensions | 161.6 x 73.9 x 7.9 mm (6.36 x 2.91 x 0.31 in) | 161.4 x 75.5 x 7.8 mm (6.35 x 2.97 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 175 g (6.17 oz) | 191 g (6.74 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch/drop-resistant glass | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1224 x 2688 pixels (~439 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~89.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.73 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~90.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM) | OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1600 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 740 |
| OS | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, MagicOS 7.1 | Android 13, MagicOS 7.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM |
| | - | UFS |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | Color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) | 12 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide), 1.22µm |
| Triple | - | 54 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.49", PDAF
32 MP, f/2.4, (telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 2.5x optical zoom
50 MP, f/2.0, 13mm, 122˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.5", AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10, 10-bit video |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) | 12 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide), 1.22µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit audio stereo recording |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a) |
| 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/6/7, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 40W wired | 66W wired
5W reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5100 mAh | Li-Po 5100 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Black, Emerald Green, Titanium Silver | Black, Glacier Blue, Green, Purple, Orange |
| Models | RMO-NX1, RMO-NX3 | PGT-AN00, PGT-N09 |
| Price | About 190 EUR | About 900 EUR |
| 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
- Affordable price
- Decent 5G connectivity
- Good display brightness
- Lower performance
- Less premium build
- Camera not as advanced
- Likely LCD display
Honor Magic5
- Flagship performance (Snapdragon 8 Gen 2)
- Superior camera system
- Faster charging (66W + reverse wireless)
- Premium design and build
- Likely AMOLED display with high refresh rate
- Higher price
- Battery life not as exceptional as the Lite
- Potentially larger size/weight
Display Comparison
The Honor Magic5 boasts a likely superior AMOLED display with vibrant colors, deeper blacks, and smoother refresh rates (likely 120Hz, though not explicitly stated). The Magic5 Lite has a respectable 864 nits brightness, but likely uses an LCD panel with a standard 60Hz refresh rate. Expect a more immersive and fluid experience on the Magic5.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer capable cameras, the Magic5's hardware and image processing are expected to be significantly better. Expect improved low-light performance, more detail, and better video recording capabilities on the Magic5. The Magic5 Lite is still a good camera, but not in the same league.
Performance
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the Honor Magic5 is a powerhouse, delivering significantly faster processing speeds and smoother multitasking compared to the Snapdragon 695 5G in the Magic5 Lite. Gaming and demanding applications will run flawlessly on the Magic5, while the Lite might struggle with intensive tasks.
Battery Life
The Magic5 Lite shines here. Its endurance rating of 111h is exceptional, suggesting incredible battery life. The Magic5, while having a decent battery and 66W fast charging, won't match the Lite's longevity due to its more power-hungry processor and display.
Buying Guide
The Honor Magic5 Lite is ideal for users prioritizing long battery life, a decent display, and 5G connectivity on a budget. The Honor Magic5 is for those who demand top-tier performance, a premium camera system, and faster charging, and are willing to pay a premium.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Honor Magic5 Lite worth buying if I don't need top-tier performance?
Absolutely! If battery life and affordability are your priorities, the Magic5 Lite is an excellent choice. It offers a solid overall experience for everyday use.
❓ What are the key differences between the Magic5 and Magic5 Lite's cameras?
The Magic5 boasts a more advanced camera system with better sensors, image processing, and features like improved low-light performance and higher-quality video recording. The Magic5 Lite is still capable, but not on the same level.
