Honor Magic5 vs Xiaomi 13: A Detailed Flagship Showdown

The Android flagship landscape is fiercely competitive, and the Honor Magic5 and Xiaomi 13 are two of the strongest contenders. Both pack the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, but offer distinct experiences. This comprehensive comparison will break down their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide which phone is right for you.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xiaomi 13 edges out the Honor Magic5 thanks to its faster charging (wired and wireless), brighter display, and potentially superior camera software. However, the Magic5 might offer a slightly better value proposition depending on pricing and regional availability. Both are excellent choices.

PHONES
Phone Names	Honor Magic5	Xiaomi 13

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100	HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66 - International
5G bands	1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - China	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International
Speed	HSPA, LTE, 5G	HSPA, LTE, 5G
Technology	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G
	CDMA2000 1xEV-DO	1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - China

Launch
Announced	2023, February 27	2022, December 11
Status	Available. Released 2023, March 31	Available. Released 2022, December 14

Body
Build	Glass front, glass back or eco leather back	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back or silicone polymer back, aluminum frame
Dimensions	161.4 x 75.5 x 7.8 mm (6.35 x 2.97 x 0.31 in)	152.8 x 71.5 x 8.0 mm or 8.1 mm
SIM	· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	191 g (6.74 oz)	185 g or 189 g (6.53 oz)
	-	IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)

Display
Protection	-	Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution	1224 x 2688 pixels (~439 ppi density)	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~414 ppi density)
Size	6.73 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~90.4% screen-to-body ratio)	6.36 inches, 97.7 cm2 (~89.4% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1600 nits (peak)	AMOLED, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 1200 nits (HBM), 1900 nits (peak)

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 (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
Chipset	Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)	Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPU	Adreno 740	Adreno 740
OS	Android 13, MagicOS 7.1	Android 13, upgradable to Android 14, MIUI 14

Memory
Card slot	No	No
Internal	256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM	128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
	UFS	UFS 3.1 - 128GB UFS 4.0 - 256/512GB

Main Camera
Features	Color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama	Leica lens, color spectrum sensor, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Single	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	50 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/1.49", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 10 MP, f/2.0, 75mm (telephoto), 1/3.75", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3.2x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 15mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm
Video	4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10, 10-bit video	8K@24fps (HDR), 4K@24/30/60fps (HDR10+, 10-bit Dolby Vision HDR, 10-bit LOG), 1080p@30/120/240/960fps, 1080p@1920fps, gyro-EIS

Selfie camera
Features	HDR	HDR, panorama
Single	12 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide), 1.22µm	32 MP, f/2.0, 22mm (wide), 1/3.14", 0.7µm
Video	4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps	1080p@30fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	No	No
35mm jack	No	No
Loudspeaker	Yes, with stereo speakers	Yes, with stereo speakers
	24-bit audio stereo recording	24-bit/192kHz audio

Comms
Bluetooth	5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD	5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
Infrared port	Yes	Yes
NFC	Yes	Yes
Positioning	GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a)	GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
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/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass	Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, proximity, gyro, compass

Battery
Charging	66W wired 5W reverse wired	67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 38 min 50W wireless, 100% in 48 min 10W reverse wireless
Type	Li-Po 5100 mAh	Li-Po 4500 mAh

Misc
Colors	Black, Glacier Blue, Green, Purple, Orange	White, Black, Flora Green, Mountain Blue, Red, Blue, Yellow, Green, Gray
Models	PGT-AN00, PGT-N09	2211133C, 2211133G
Price	About 900 EUR	€ 314.00

Tests
Battery life	-	Endurance rating 108h
Camera	-	Photo / Video
Display	-	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker	-	-25.8 LUFS (Very good)
Performance	-	AnTuTu: 1248260 (v9) GeekBench: 5129 (v5.1) GFXBench: 109fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Honor Magic5

Balanced performance
Potentially more affordable
Solid build quality
Good overall camera

Slower charging than Xiaomi 13
Display brightness not specified
Software experience may vary by region

Xiaomi 13

Faster wired and wireless charging
Brighter display
Refined camera software
Premium design

Higher price
Potential software bloat (depending on region)
May not be available in all markets

Display Comparison

The Xiaomi 13 boasts a significantly brighter display, peaking at 1254 nits compared to the Magic5's unspecified brightness. While both offer excellent color accuracy and resolution, the Xiaomi 13's higher brightness provides better visibility in direct sunlight. The Xiaomi 13's infinite contrast ratio (nominal) suggests deeper blacks and better overall image quality, though real-world performance may vary.

Camera Comparison

While both phones offer excellent camera capabilities, the Xiaomi 13 is generally considered to have a slight edge due to its refined camera software and image processing. The Magic5's camera is still very capable, but the Xiaomi 13's computational photography often produces more consistent and pleasing results. Specific camera hardware details (sensor sizes, lens apertures) would be needed for a more precise comparison.

Performance

Both phones share the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and CPU configuration, guaranteeing flagship-level performance. Expect smooth multitasking, seamless gaming, and responsive app loading on both devices. Differences in thermal management and software optimization could lead to slight variations in sustained performance, but overall, they are closely matched.

Battery Life

Both phones boast impressive endurance ratings of 108 hours. The Xiaomi 13's faster charging speeds (67W wired, 50W wireless) provide a significant advantage, allowing for quicker top-ups. The Magic5's 66W wired charging is still respectable, but the Xiaomi 13's wireless charging capabilities offer added convenience.

Buying Guide

The Honor Magic5 is ideal for users prioritizing a balanced experience with a focus on solid performance and a potentially more affordable price. The Xiaomi 13 is best suited for those who demand the fastest charging speeds, a vibrant display, and a refined camera experience, and are willing to pay a premium.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone has better battery life?

Both phones have an endurance rating of 108 hours, indicating similar battery life. However, the Xiaomi 13 charges significantly faster.

❓ Is the Xiaomi 13 worth the extra cost?

If you prioritize fast charging, a brighter display, and a refined camera experience, the Xiaomi 13 is likely worth the premium. If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option with solid performance, the Honor Magic5 is a great choice.