Honor Magic5 vs Huawei Mate 50 Pro: A Detailed Comparison of Flagship Power

The Honor Magic5 and Huawei Mate 50 Pro represent compelling, yet distinct, approaches to the high-end smartphone market. The Magic5 arrives with the latest Qualcomm silicon, aiming for peak performance, while the Mate 50 Pro, despite being an earlier release, offers a refined experience and impressive battery endurance. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right flagship.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Honor Magic5 emerges as the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset delivers a noticeable performance uplift over the Mate 50 Pro’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, translating to smoother multitasking and gaming. However, the Mate 50 Pro’s excellent battery life and wireless charging capabilities remain strong contenders for power users.

PHONES
Phone Names Honor Magic5 Huawei Mate 50 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, 41 - China1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - China-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China
Launch
Announced2023, February 272022, September 06
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, March 31Available. Released 2022, September 28
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back or eco leather back-
Dimensions161.4 x 75.5 x 7.8 mm (6.35 x 2.97 x 0.31 in)162.1 x 75.5 x 8.5 mm (6.38 x 2.97 x 0.33 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight191 g (6.74 oz)205 g / 209 g (7.23 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Huawei Kunlun Glass
Resolution1224 x 2688 pixels (~439 ppi density)1212 x 2616 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~428 ppi density)
Size6.73 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~90.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.74 inches, 111.8 cm2 (~91.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1600 nits (peak)OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 740Adreno 730
OSAndroid 13, MagicOS 7.1EMUI 13 (International), HarmonyOS 3.0 (China)
Memory
Card slotNoNano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM
 UFSUFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesColor spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR
Single12 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide), 1.22µm13 MP, f/2.4, 18mm (ultrawide) TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Triple54 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", AF50 MP, f/1.4-f/4.0, 24mm (wide), PDAF, OIS 64 MP, f/3.5, 90mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 3.5x optical zoom 13 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), PDAF
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), 1.22µm13 MP, f/2.4, 18mm (ultrawide) TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps4K@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), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG, Display Port 1.2
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFace ID, fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass
 -BDS Satellite Message (sending only)
Battery
Charging66W wired 5W reverse wired66W wired 50W wireless 5W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 5100 mAhLi-Po 4700 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Glacier Blue, Green, Purple, OrangeBlack, Silver, Purple, Orange
ModelsPGT-AN00, PGT-N09DCO-AL00, DCO-LX9
PriceAbout 900 EURAbout 900 EUR
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 104h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -24.8 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 979921 (v9) GeekBench: 3839 (v5.1) GFXBench: 68fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Honor Magic5

  • Latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset for superior performance
  • Potential for longer software support
  • Faster wired charging (66W)

  • Battery life likely inferior to Mate 50 Pro
  • No wireless charging support
  • Limited information on camera capabilities

Huawei Mate 50 Pro

  • Exceptional battery life and endurance
  • 50W wireless charging support
  • Proven camera performance and image processing

  • Older Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset
  • Limited to 4G connectivity
  • Potentially shorter software support lifecycle

Display Comparison

The Huawei Mate 50 Pro boasts a display capable of reaching 946 nits of peak brightness, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the Honor Magic5’s brightness isn’t specified, the Mate 50 Pro’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio suggests a high-quality OLED panel. The lack of LTPO information for either device means we can’t definitively assess adaptive refresh rate efficiency. Both likely offer excellent viewing experiences, but the Mate 50 Pro’s measured brightness gives it a slight edge for outdoor use.

Camera Comparison

Both devices are described as having capable Photo/Video capabilities, but specific details are lacking. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Mate 50 Pro’s reputation for strong image processing and color science suggests a refined camera experience. The absence of details on the Honor Magic5’s camera system makes it hard to assess its strengths. We can assume both will offer a range of shooting modes, but the Mate 50 Pro’s established track record gives it a tentative advantage.

Performance

The Honor Magic5’s Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) represents a significant leap over the Mate 50 Pro’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm). The 8 Gen 2’s Cortex-X3 prime core, clocked at 3.2 GHz, offers a substantial performance advantage over the Mate 50 Pro’s Cortex-X2 (3.19 GHz). The newer architecture and 4nm process node of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 also contribute to improved thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads. The Mate 50 Pro is limited to 4G connectivity, a major drawback for users in areas with robust 5G infrastructure.

Battery Life

The Huawei Mate 50 Pro shines in battery endurance, achieving an impressive 10:36h of active use and a 104-hour endurance rating. While the Honor Magic5’s battery capacity isn’t specified, the Mate 50 Pro’s longevity is a clear advantage. The Mate 50 Pro also offers 50W wireless charging, a feature absent on the Honor Magic5, which is limited to 66W wired charging and 5W reverse wired charging. The 66W wired charging is competitive, but the addition of faster wireless charging on the Mate 50 Pro provides greater flexibility.

Buying Guide

Buy the Honor Magic5 if you prioritize raw processing power for demanding applications, gaming, and future-proofing. Its newer chipset and potential for software updates make it a long-term investment. Buy the Huawei Mate 50 Pro if you value exceptional battery life, prefer wireless charging, and don't require the absolute latest processor – or if 5G connectivity isn't a priority due to the 4G limitation.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in the Mate 50 Pro throttle under heavy gaming loads?
While the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is a capable chip, it is known to generate more heat than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. The Mate 50 Pro’s thermal management system will likely mitigate throttling, but sustained gaming sessions may result in some performance reduction. The Honor Magic5, with its newer chipset and more efficient architecture, is less likely to experience significant throttling.
❓ Is the lack of 5G connectivity on the Huawei Mate 50 Pro a dealbreaker in 2023?
For users in areas with widespread 5G coverage, the Mate 50 Pro’s 4G limitation is a significant drawback. 5G offers substantially faster download and upload speeds, as well as lower latency. If you frequently stream high-resolution video, download large files, or engage in online gaming, the Honor Magic5’s 5G support is essential.
❓ How does the 5W reverse wireless charging on both phones compare in practical use?
The 5W reverse wireless charging on both devices is primarily intended for topping up small accessories like earbuds or smartwatches. It's not designed for quickly charging other phones and will be a slow process. It's a convenient feature to have in a pinch, but not a primary reason to choose either device.