Honor Magic6 vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max: A Head-to-Head Battle of Flagship Power
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing long-term software support and a refined ecosystem, the iPhone 15 Pro Max remains the safer bet. However, the Honor Magic6 offers a compelling alternative with significantly faster charging and comparable performance thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, making it ideal for power users and those seeking cutting-edge features.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Honor Magic6 | Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max |
| 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 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 53, 66 - A3106 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A3106 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2024, January 11 | 2023, September 12 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, January 18 | Available. Released 2023, September 22 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back or silicone polymer back (eco leather) | Glass front, glass back, titanium frame (grade 5) |
| Dimensions | 161.8 x 75.4 x 8.1 mm (6.37 x 2.97 x 0.32 in) | 159.9 x 76.7 x 8.3 mm (6.30 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time; International)· eSIM + eSIM (8 or more, max 2 at a time; USA)· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM (China) |
| Weight | 199 g or 206 g (7.02 oz) | 221 g (7.80 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Jurhino glass | Ceramic Shield glass |
| Resolution | 1264 x 2800 pixels (~453 ppi density) | 1290 x 2796 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.78 inches, 111.2 cm2 (~91.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~89.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | LTPO OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR, 1600 nits (HBM), 5000 nits (peak) | LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 2000 nits (HBM) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520) | Hexa-core (2x3.78 GHz + 4x2.11 GHz) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Apple A17 Pro (3 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 750 | Apple GPU (6-core graphics) |
| OS | Android 14, MagicOS 8 | iOS 17, upgradable to iOS 26.1 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 1TB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama) |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.3", PDAF, OIS 32 MP, f/2.4, (telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 2.5x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.0, 13mm, 122˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.88", AF | 48 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS 12 MP, f/2.8, 120mm (periscope telephoto), 1/3.06", 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF, 3D sensor‑shift OIS, 5x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth) |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS, HDR, 10-bit video | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, 10-bit HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps), ProRes, 3D (spatial) video, stereo sound rec. |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | HDR, Dolby Vision HDR |
| Single | 50 MP, f/2.0, 22mm (wide), 1/2.93", AF | 12 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a) | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2, DisplayPort |
| 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, tri-band, hotspot |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 66W wired 50W wireless Reverse wireless 5W reverse wired | Wired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless (MagSafe) 15W wireless (Qi2) - requires iOS 17.2 update 4.5W reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5450 mAh | Li-Ion 4441 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Green, Blue, Purple, White | Black Titanium, White Titanium, Blue Titanium, Natural Titanium |
| Models | BVL-AN00 | A2849, A3105, A3106, A3108, iPhone16,2 |
| Price | About 570 EUR | € 758.79 / $ 579.87 / £ 628.29 |
| SAR | - | 1.07 W/kg (head) 1.11 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.98 W/kg (head) 0.98 W/kg (body) |
Honor Magic6
- Significantly faster wired and wireless charging
- Powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor
- Reverse wired charging capability
- Potentially more affordable price point
- Uncertainty regarding long-term software support
- Camera performance needs independent verification
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
- Exceptional battery life and efficiency
- Industry-leading camera quality (photo & video)
- Seamless iOS ecosystem and software support
- Premium build quality and materials
- Slower charging speeds compared to Honor Magic6
- Higher price tag
- Limited customization options compared to Android
Display Comparison
The iPhone 15 Pro Max boasts a measured peak brightness of 1787 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the Honor Magic6’s peak brightness isn’t specified, its panel technology and color accuracy will be crucial differentiators. Apple’s ProMotion technology (LTPO) dynamically adjusts the refresh rate up to 120Hz for smoother scrolling and animations, a feature likely present on the Magic6 as well given its flagship status. Bezels are expected to be minimal on both devices, but the iPhone’s Ceramic Shield front cover offers superior drop protection.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs for the Honor Magic6, it’s difficult to make a direct comparison. However, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is renowned for its exceptional photo and video quality, leveraging advanced computational photography and ProRes video recording. The larger sensor size on the iPhone, combined with its sophisticated image processing, typically results in superior dynamic range and low-light performance. The Honor Magic6 will need to demonstrate a significant advantage in sensor technology or image processing to compete effectively. We'll need to see if Honor has focused on a specific photographic style or feature set to differentiate itself.
Performance
The core of the battle lies in the chipsets: Apple’s A17 Pro (3nm) versus Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm). The A17 Pro’s hexa-core architecture (2x3.78 GHz + 4x2.11 GHz) prioritizes single-core performance, crucial for responsive app launches and everyday tasks. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3’s octa-core configuration (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520) aims for a balance between performance and efficiency. The 3nm process of the A17 Pro theoretically offers better power efficiency, but the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3’s larger core count could excel in multi-threaded workloads. Both devices will likely feature ample LPDDR5x RAM, ensuring smooth multitasking.
Battery Life
The iPhone 15 Pro Max shines in battery endurance, achieving an active use score of 16:01h and an endurance rating of 118h. The Honor Magic6’s battery capacity is unknown, but its charging capabilities are a major draw. 66W wired charging is significantly faster than the iPhone’s PD2.0 charging (50% in 30 min), and 50W wireless charging dwarfs the iPhone’s 15W MagSafe/Qi2 speeds. The inclusion of 5W reverse wired charging on the Magic6 is a unique advantage, allowing it to charge other devices directly via cable, unlike the iPhone’s limited 4.5W reverse wired charging.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor Magic6 if you need blazing-fast charging, prioritize raw Android performance, and appreciate innovative features like reverse wired charging. Buy the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max if you prefer a seamless user experience, value long-term software updates, and are deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem, prioritizing camera consistency and video recording capabilities.