Huawei Mate 60 Pro vs Honor Magic5 Pro: A Head-to-Head Flagship Battle

The Huawei Mate 60 Pro and Honor Magic5 Pro represent the pinnacle of Chinese smartphone engineering, but they approach flagship status from different angles. The Mate 60 Pro, powered by the domestically produced Kirin 9000S, aims for self-sufficiency and innovation, while the Magic5 Pro leverages Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for proven performance and global compatibility. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device reigns supreme.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing consistent, top-tier performance and established software support, the Honor Magic5 Pro is the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset delivers a more predictable and efficient experience. However, the Mate 60 Pro’s Kirin chip and potential for unique features appeal to those seeking a different path.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei Mate 60 Pro Honor Magic5 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 bandsLTE1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China
5G bandsSA/NSA1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - China
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 -CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2023, August 292023, February 27
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, August 29Available. Released 2023, March 31
Body
BuildGlass front, aluminum frame, glass backGlass front, glass back or eco leather back
Dimensions163.7 x 79 x 8.1 mm (6.44 x 3.11 x 0.32 in)162.9 x 76.7 x 8.8 mm (6.41 x 3.02 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)
Weight225 g (7.94 oz)219 g (7.72 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionHuawei Kunlun Glass 2-
Resolution1260 x 2720 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~440 ppi density)1312 x 2848 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density)
Size6.82 inches, 114.4 cm2 (~88.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.81 inches, 113.7 cm2 (~91.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO OLED, 1B colors, 120HzLTPO OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1800 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.62 GHz Taishan Big & 3x2.15 GHz Taishan Mid & 4x1.53GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetKirin 9000S (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUMaleoon 910 MP4Adreno 740
OSHarmonyOS 4.0 (China)Android 13, upgradable to Android 14, MagicOS 8
Memory
Card slotNano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM
 -UFS 4.0
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDRLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single-12 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide), 1.22µm TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Triple50 MP, f/1.4-f/4.0, 24mm (wide), PDAF, OIS 48 MP, f/3.5, 90mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 3.5x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), PDAF50 MP, f/1.6, 23mm (wide), 1/1.12" 1.4µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/3.0, 90mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 3.5x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.0, 13mm, 122˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", AF TOF 3D (depth)
Video4K, 1080p, HDR, gyro-EIS, OIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10, 10-bit video
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaHDR
Single13 MP, f/2.4, 18mm (ultrawide) TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)12 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide), 1.22µm TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Video4K, 1080p, HDR, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -No
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit audio stereo recording
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a+B2b), GALILEO (E1+E5a+E5b), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG, DisplayPort 1.2USB Type-C 3.1, DisplayPort 1.2, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFace ID, fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging88W wired, 100% in 30 min 50W wireless 20W reverse wireless66W wired 50W wireless Reverse wireless 5W reverse wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhMarket-dependent versions:· Li-Po 5100 mAh (Global)· Si/C Li-Ion 5450 mAh (China only)
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, Green, PurpleBlack, Meadow Green, Blue, Purple, Orange
ModelsALN-AL00, ALN-AL80PGT-AN10, PGT-N19
PriceAbout 890 EUR£ 799.99 / € 407.79
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 109h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -24.6 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- GeekBench: 4378 (v5.1), 5096 (v6)

Huawei Mate 60 Pro

  • Faster 88W wired charging
  • Unique Kirin 9000S chipset
  • 20W reverse wireless charging

  • Less efficient 7nm chipset
  • Limited software ecosystem
  • Uncertain camera performance details

Honor Magic5 Pro

  • Superior Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 performance
  • Exceptional battery life (115h endurance)
  • Brighter display (1227 nits)

  • Slower 66W wired charging
  • Limited reverse wireless charging (5W)
  • Potentially higher price

Display Comparison

The Honor Magic5 Pro boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1227 nits, compared to an unspecified peak brightness for the Mate 60 Pro. This translates to superior visibility in direct sunlight. While both likely employ high refresh rate OLED panels, the Magic5 Pro’s infinite contrast ratio suggests a more refined visual experience. The lack of detailed display specs for the Mate 60 Pro leaves a gap in understanding its color accuracy and overall quality.

Camera Comparison

Both phones are advertised as having excellent photo and video capabilities, but specifics are limited. Without sensor size or aperture details for the Mate 60 Pro, it’s difficult to assess its low-light performance. The Magic5 Pro likely benefits from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, offering advanced computational photography features. The absence of details regarding the Mate 60 Pro’s camera system makes a direct comparison challenging, but the Snapdragon’s established track record suggests an edge for the Honor device.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Honor Magic5 Pro’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) is a proven performer, featuring a Cortex-X3 prime core clocked at 3.2 GHz. This contrasts with the Huawei Mate 60 Pro’s Kirin 9000S (7nm). While the Kirin 9000S utilizes a Taishan architecture, the 7nm process node inherently limits its efficiency compared to the Snapdragon’s 4nm fabrication. This means the Magic5 Pro will likely exhibit better thermal management and sustained performance during demanding tasks like gaming. The Snapdragon’s superior GPU will also provide a noticeable advantage in graphics-intensive applications.

Battery Life

The Honor Magic5 Pro shines in battery endurance, achieving an impressive 115-hour rating and 12:06 hours of active use. While the Mate 60 Pro’s battery capacity is unknown, its 88W wired charging is faster than the Magic5 Pro’s 66W, allowing for a full charge in just 30 minutes. Both support 50W wireless charging, but the Mate 60 Pro adds 20W reverse wireless charging, a feature absent in the Magic5 Pro’s 5W reverse wired option. The Magic5 Pro’s longer battery life, however, offsets the Mate 60 Pro’s faster charging for many users.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei Mate 60 Pro if you need a phone that represents technological independence and are comfortable with a potentially evolving software ecosystem. Its Kirin 9000S offers a unique experience, and the 88W charging is a significant advantage. Buy the Honor Magic5 Pro if you prefer a polished, globally-supported experience with guaranteed performance from the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, exceptional battery life, and a brighter, more vibrant display.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 9000S in the Mate 60 Pro support 5G connectivity, given the US sanctions?
The Mate 60 Pro's 5G capabilities are a subject of debate. While Huawei claims 5G support, it's likely achieved through alternative solutions due to ongoing restrictions. Performance may vary depending on network conditions and carrier compatibility, and it may not be as robust as the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2's 5G modem.
❓ How does the thermal management of the Kirin 9000S compare to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2's 4nm process node provides a significant advantage in thermal efficiency. The Kirin 9000S, built on a 7nm node, is likely to generate more heat under sustained load, potentially leading to thermal throttling and reduced performance during extended gaming sessions. The Magic5 Pro is expected to maintain higher frame rates for longer periods.
❓ Is the 20W reverse wireless charging on the Mate 60 Pro significantly more useful than the Magic5 Pro's 5W reverse wired charging?
Yes, the Mate 60 Pro's 20W reverse wireless charging is considerably faster and more convenient than the Magic5 Pro's 5W reverse wired option. It can more effectively charge accessories like earbuds or smartwatches, and even provide a noticeable boost to another phone's battery.
❓ What software updates can Huawei Mate 60 Pro users expect, considering the geopolitical situation?
Software updates for the Mate 60 Pro are uncertain. Huawei's HarmonyOS is evolving, but access to Google Mobile Services (GMS) remains restricted. Updates may focus on optimizing HarmonyOS and adding new features, but timely security patches and app compatibility could be a concern compared to the Magic5 Pro's guaranteed Android updates.