Honor's Magic series offers compelling smartphones, but choosing between the flagship Magic5 and the more budget-friendly Magic5 Lite can be tricky. Both devices boast impressive features, but cater to different user needs and budgets. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Honor Magic5 is the clear winner for performance and camera capabilities thanks to its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset. However, the Magic5 Lite offers exceptional battery life and a vibrant display at a significantly lower price point, making it a strong contender for budget-conscious users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China | LTE |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - China | SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, February 27 | 2023, February 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, March 31 | Available. Released 2023, February 20 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back or eco leather back | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 161.4 x 75.5 x 7.8 mm (6.35 x 2.97 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 + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 191 g (6.74 oz) | 175 g (6.17 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Scratch/drop-resistant glass |
| Resolution | 1224 x 2688 pixels (~439 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.73 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~90.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~89.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1600 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 740 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 13, MagicOS 7.1 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, MagicOS 7.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) |
| Features | Color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 12 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide), 1.22µm | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) |
| 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 | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10, 10-bit video | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 12 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide), 1.22µm | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| | 24-bit audio stereo recording | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a) | 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/6/7, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 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 | 66W wired
5W reverse wired | 40W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5100 mAh | Li-Po 5100 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Glacier Blue, Green, Purple, Orange | Midnight Black, Emerald Green, Titanium Silver |
| Models | PGT-AN00, PGT-N09 | RMO-NX1, RMO-NX3 |
| Price | About 900 EUR | About 190 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
- Flagship Performance (Snapdragon 8 Gen 2)
- Superior Camera System (Expected)
- Fast Charging (66W)
- Premium Build Quality (Expected)
- Higher Price
- Battery Life Not as Exceptional as Lite
- Specific Display Specs Unavailable
Honor Magic5 Lite
- Exceptional Battery Life (111h Endurance)
- Vibrant Display (864 nits)
- Affordable Price
- 5G Connectivity
- Mid-Range Performance (Snapdragon 695)
- Less Advanced Camera System
- Plastic Build (Likely)
Display Comparison
The Magic5 Lite boasts a vibrant display with a measured peak brightness of 864 nits and an impressive (though nominal) infinite contrast ratio. While the Magic5's display details are not explicitly provided, it's expected to offer excellent color accuracy and brightness, typical of flagship devices. The Magic5 Lite's display is a strong point, offering a visually appealing experience.
Camera Comparison
The Magic5 is expected to have a more advanced camera system, likely featuring a larger sensor and more sophisticated image processing capabilities. While the Magic5 Lite's camera is perfectly adequate for casual photography, the Magic5 will offer superior image quality, especially in low-light conditions and with video recording. Specific camera specs for the Magic5 are not provided, but the chipset suggests a significant advantage.
Performance
Here's where the Magic5 truly shines. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset delivers flagship-level performance, effortlessly handling demanding games and multitasking. The Magic5 Lite's Snapdragon 695 5G is a capable mid-range chip, suitable for everyday tasks but will struggle with intensive applications. The difference in processing power is substantial.
Battery Life
The Magic5 Lite excels in battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 111 hours. While the Magic5's battery capacity isn't explicitly stated, the 66W fast charging suggests a focus on quick top-ups rather than extreme longevity. The Magic5 Lite's battery life is a major selling point.
Buying Guide
The Honor Magic5 is ideal for power users, gamers, and photography enthusiasts who demand top-tier performance and camera quality. The Honor Magic5 Lite is perfect for everyday users prioritizing long battery life, a bright display, and a more affordable price tag without sacrificing essential features.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What is the difference in performance between the two phones?
The Honor Magic5 offers significantly better performance thanks to its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, making it ideal for gaming and demanding apps. The Magic5 Lite's Snapdragon 695 is suitable for everyday use but less powerful.
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
The Honor Magic5 Lite has exceptional battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 111 hours. The Magic5 prioritizes fast charging over extreme battery longevity.
