Huawei Mate 60 RS Ultimate vs Honor Magic5 Pro: A Battle of Flagship Titans

The Huawei Mate 60 RS Ultimate and the Honor Magic5 Pro represent the pinnacle of Android smartphone engineering, but they approach the challenge from different angles. The Mate 60 RS Ultimate, powered by Huawei’s domestically produced Kirin 9000S, aims for self-sufficiency and a premium experience. The Honor Magic5 Pro, leveraging the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, focuses on established performance and refined features. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device delivers the best overall experience.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing all-around performance and battery life, the Honor Magic5 Pro emerges as the stronger contender. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset offers superior efficiency and sustained performance, coupled with excellent battery endurance. However, the Mate 60 RS Ultimate’s unique design and Kirin chip appeal to those seeking a statement piece and supporting Huawei’s technological independence.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei Mate 60 RS Ultimate 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, September 252023, February 27
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, September 28Available. Released 2023, March 31
Body
Build-Glass 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)
Weight242 g or 246 g (8.54 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
Internal512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB 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)
Triple48 MP, f/1.4-f/4.0, 24mm (wide), PDAF, OIS 48 MP, f/3.0, 90mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 3.5x optical zoom 40 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@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/480fps, 720p@960fps, 720p@3840fps, HDR Vivid, gyro-EIS4K@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@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, HDR Vivid4K@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, RedBlack, Meadow Green, Blue, Purple, Orange
ModelsALN-AL10PGT-AN10, PGT-N19
PriceAbout 1550 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 RS Ultimate

  • Unique and premium design
  • Huawei’s Kirin 9000S chipset – a technological achievement
  • Faster 88W wired charging

  • Potentially lower thermal efficiency due to 7nm process
  • Software ecosystem limitations and potential lack of Google services
  • Limited display details available

Honor Magic5 Pro

  • Superior performance and efficiency with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
  • Excellent battery life and endurance
  • Brighter display for better outdoor visibility

  • Less distinctive design compared to Mate 60 RS Ultimate
  • Slower wired charging than Mate 60 RS Ultimate
  • May lack the unique appeal of Huawei’s self-sufficiency efforts

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 RS Ultimate. While both likely employ high-refresh-rate OLED panels, the Magic5 Pro’s higher brightness translates to better visibility in direct sunlight. The Magic5 Pro’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio (nominal) suggests a superior black level and overall image quality. Details regarding the Mate 60 RS Ultimate’s panel technology (LTPO, PWM dimming rate) are currently unavailable, hindering a complete assessment of its display capabilities.

Camera Comparison

Both phones are advertised as having exceptional photo and video capabilities, but specific details are limited. Without sensor size information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the presence of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) is expected on both. The image processing style will likely differ, with Huawei historically favoring vibrant, saturated colors and Honor leaning towards a more natural look. The absence of details regarding lens apertures and advanced features (e.g., computational photography algorithms) prevents a thorough camera comparison. The usefulness of any 2MP macro lenses on either device is questionable, as image quality is often limited.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Honor Magic5 Pro’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) utilizes a more advanced fabrication process than the Huawei Mate 60 RS Ultimate’s Kirin 9000S (7nm). This 4nm process generally results in better thermal efficiency and power management, allowing the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 to maintain peak performance for longer durations. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s CPU configuration – 1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3, 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715, 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710, and 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510 – is optimized for both peak performance and efficiency. The Kirin 9000S, with its Taishan architecture, represents a significant engineering feat for Huawei, but its 7nm process may lead to increased heat generation under sustained load. Both devices likely feature LPDDR5x RAM, but the Snapdragon’s superior GPU will provide a noticeable advantage in graphically intensive tasks.

Battery Life

The Honor Magic5 Pro demonstrates a clear advantage in battery endurance, achieving an impressive 12:06h of active use and an endurance rating of 115 hours. While the Mate 60 RS Ultimate’s battery capacity is unknown, the Magic5 Pro’s superior efficiency, coupled with its 66W wired charging, provides a more practical charging experience. The Mate 60 RS Ultimate offers faster 88W wired charging and 100% in 30 minutes, but the Magic5 Pro’s 50W wireless charging matches the Huawei device, and the Magic5 Pro also offers 5W reverse wired charging, a feature absent on the Huawei phone.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei Mate 60 RS Ultimate if you prioritize a distinctive design, are invested in the Huawei ecosystem, and want to support their advancements in silicon design despite potential software limitations. Buy the Honor Magic5 Pro if you value consistently high performance, exceptional battery life, and a more globally-optimized software experience, making it ideal for power users and mobile gamers.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 9000S chipset in the Mate 60 RS Ultimate suffer from significant thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
Given the 7nm fabrication process, the Kirin 9000S is more susceptible to thermal throttling compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s 4nm process. While Huawei has implemented cooling solutions, prolonged gaming at maximum settings may result in performance drops to manage heat.
❓ How does the lack of Google Mobile Services (GMS) on the Huawei Mate 60 RS Ultimate impact the user experience?
The absence of GMS means users will rely on Huawei’s AppGallery and alternative methods for accessing popular apps like Gmail, YouTube, and Google Maps. While Huawei has made strides in expanding its app ecosystem, compatibility and convenience may be limited compared to devices with full GMS support.
❓ Is the 5W reverse wired charging on the Honor Magic5 Pro useful for charging accessories like earbuds or smartwatches?
While 5W reverse wired charging is slower than dedicated chargers, it can be a convenient option for topping up small accessories like earbuds or smartwatches in a pinch, especially when a power outlet isn't readily available.
❓ What kind of gaming performance can be expected on the Honor Magic5 Pro?
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the Honor Magic5 Pro delivers exceptional gaming performance, capable of running demanding titles at high frame rates and settings. The efficient chipset and advanced cooling system minimize throttling, ensuring a smooth and consistent gaming experience.