The Honor X40 and Magic5 Lite are both compelling budget smartphones vying for your attention. Both offer 5G connectivity and a familiar Snapdragon 695 chipset, but key differences in display technology, battery optimization, and camera features set them apart. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Honor Magic5 Lite edges out the X40 thanks to its exceptional battery life and brighter display. While both share the same chipset, the Magic5 Lite's optimizations and screen quality provide a noticeably better user experience, making it the slightly superior choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | LTE |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1x | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, September 15 | 2023, February 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 15 | Available. Released 2023, February 20 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 161.6 x 73.9 x 7.9 mm (6.36 x 2.91 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 |
| Weight | 172 g (6.07 oz) | 175 g (6.17 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Scratch/drop-resistant glass |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~89.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~89.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 12, Magic UI 6.1 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, MagicOS 7.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro) | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | 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, 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 |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 40W wired | 40W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5100 mAh | Li-Po 5100 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Green, Silver | Midnight Black, Emerald Green, Titanium Silver |
| Models | RMO-AN00 | RMO-NX1, RMO-NX3 |
| Price | About 210 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 X40
- Sleek Design
- Potentially Lower Price
- 5G Connectivity
- Less Bright Display
- Shorter Battery Life
- Unspecified Camera Details
Honor Magic5 Lite
- Exceptional Battery Life
- Brighter Display
- Potentially Better Camera System
- Smooth Performance
- LCD Panel (vs. potential AMOLED on X40)
- Design may be less striking than X40
Display Comparison
The Honor Magic5 Lite boasts a significantly brighter display, measured at 864 nits, compared to the X40. While the X40's display is adequate, the Magic5 Lite's higher brightness makes it easier to view content outdoors and in bright sunlight. The Magic5 Lite also advertises an 'infinite' contrast ratio, suggesting deeper blacks and more vibrant colors, though this is a nominal claim and difficult to quantify precisely. The X40 likely uses a standard AMOLED panel, while the Magic5 Lite uses an LCD panel.
Camera Comparison
While both phones are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, detailed camera specifications are missing. Generally, the Magic5 Lite is expected to have a more versatile camera system, potentially including a higher resolution main sensor and improved image processing algorithms. The X40 likely focuses on design and aesthetics more than camera performance. Further research into specific camera specs is needed for a definitive comparison.
Performance
Both phones utilize the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G chipset and octa-core CPU. Performance will be largely similar in everyday tasks and moderate gaming. However, software optimization plays a crucial role, and the Magic5 Lite's software might offer slightly better resource management, potentially leading to marginally smoother performance over extended use. Real-world differences will likely be minimal for most users.
Battery Life
The Honor Magic5 Lite shines in this category. Its endurance rating of 111 hours is exceptional, indicating significantly longer battery life than the X40. This is a major advantage for users who need a phone that can last through multiple days of moderate use. The X40's battery life is respectable, but not in the same league as the Magic5 Lite.
Buying Guide
The Honor X40 is a good choice for users prioritizing a sleek design and potentially a slightly lower price point (depending on retailer). The Honor Magic5 Lite is ideal for those who value long battery life, a vibrant display for media consumption, and a generally smoother overall experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
Both phones share the same chipset, so gaming performance will be similar. However, the Magic5 Lite's potentially better thermal management and software optimization might give it a slight edge in sustained gaming.
❓ Is the Honor Magic5 Lite worth the extra cost?
If battery life and display quality are important to you, then yes. The Magic5 Lite's superior battery and brighter screen justify the potential price difference. If you're on a very tight budget and prioritize aesthetics, the X40 might be a viable option.
