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

The Huawei Mate 60 and Honor Magic5 Pro represent the pinnacle of Chinese smartphone engineering, but they approach flagship status from different angles. The Mate 60, powered by the domestically produced Kirin 9000S, aims for self-sufficiency, while the Magic5 Pro leverages Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for raw power and established optimization. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device delivers the best overall experience.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Honor Magic5 Pro emerges as the stronger contender. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset provides demonstrably superior performance and efficiency, translating to smoother multitasking and longer battery life. While the Mate 60’s Kirin chip is a remarkable achievement, it doesn’t quite match the Snapdragon’s refinement.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei Mate 60 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 bands-1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - China
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 -CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2023, August 292023, February 27
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, September 10Available. Released 2023, March 31
Body
BuildGlass front, aluminum frame, glass backGlass front, glass back or eco leather back
Dimensions161.4 x 76 x 8 mm (6.35 x 2.99 x 0.31 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)
Weight209 g (7.37 oz)219 g (7.72 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionHuawei Kunlun Glass 2-
Resolution1216 x 2688 pixels (~441 ppi density)1312 x 2848 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density)
Size6.69 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~88.4% 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 4.0Android 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 12 MP, f/3.4, 125mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 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@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)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, Display Port 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
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging66W wired, 100% in 30 min 50W wireless 5W reverse wireless66W wired 50W wireless Reverse wireless 5W reverse wired
TypeLi-Po 4750 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, BRA-AL00PGT-AN10, PGT-N19
PriceAbout 750 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

  • Domestically produced Kirin 9000S chipset
  • 66W wired and 50W wireless charging
  • Supports 5W reverse wireless charging

  • 7nm chipset less efficient than Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
  • Performance likely lags behind the competition
  • Limited information on camera specifications

Honor Magic5 Pro

  • Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 offers superior performance and efficiency
  • Excellent battery life (12:06h active use)
  • Bright 1227 nit display

  • Relies on Qualcomm chipset
  • May lack the unique appeal of the Mate 60’s Kirin chip
  • Camera details are limited

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. This translates to superior visibility in direct sunlight. Both support 50W wireless charging, but the Magic5 Pro’s infinite contrast ratio suggests a superior OLED panel with deeper blacks. While both likely employ high refresh rate panels, the Mate 60’s PWM dimming rate (if higher) would benefit users sensitive to flicker, a detail not provided in the specs.

Camera Comparison

Both phones are described as having capable photo and video capabilities, but specific details are lacking. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the market positioning of both devices suggests the Magic5 Pro likely prioritizes computational photography and image processing, leveraging the Snapdragon’s ISP. The Mate 60 may focus on a more natural image style, potentially emphasizing the capabilities of its Kirin chipset’s image signal processor. The absence of details on secondary cameras (ultrawide, telephoto) makes a comprehensive assessment impossible.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Honor Magic5 Pro’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) is built on a smaller, more efficient node than the Mate 60’s Kirin 9000S (7nm). This means the Snapdragon will generally run cooler and sustain peak performance for longer periods, crucial for demanding tasks like gaming. The Snapdragon’s CPU configuration – a Cortex-X3 prime core clocked at 3.2 GHz – is also more powerful than the Mate 60’s Taishan big core at 2.62 GHz. While the Kirin 9000S is a feat of engineering given the restrictions Huawei faces, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 offers a clear performance advantage.

Battery Life

The Honor Magic5 Pro demonstrates superior battery endurance with an active use score of 12:06h and an endurance rating of 115h, compared to the Mate 60’s unspecified battery life. Both support 66W wired charging, achieving a full charge in approximately 30 minutes, and 50W wireless charging. The Magic5 Pro also offers 5W reverse wired charging, a feature also present on the Mate 60. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s efficiency contributes significantly to the Magic5 Pro’s longer battery life, offsetting any potential capacity differences.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei Mate 60 if you prioritize supporting domestic technology and are intrigued by the Kirin 9000S’s capabilities, even if it means accepting some performance trade-offs. Buy the Honor Magic5 Pro if you demand the best possible Android performance, exceptional battery endurance (12:06h active use), and a consistently polished user experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 9000S chipset in the Mate 60 suffer from significant thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
Given the 7nm process node and the demands of modern games, the Kirin 9000S is likely to experience more thermal throttling than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the Honor Magic5 Pro. The 4nm process of the Snapdragon allows for greater thermal efficiency, maintaining peak performance for longer durations.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2's ISP (Image Signal Processor) contribute to the Honor Magic5 Pro's camera performance?
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2's ISP is renowned for its advanced computational photography capabilities. It enables features like improved low-light performance, faster image processing, and more accurate color reproduction. This results in consistently high-quality photos and videos, even in challenging conditions.
❓ Is the 5W reverse wired charging on either device useful for more than just emergencies?
While 5W reverse wired charging isn't fast, it's surprisingly useful for topping up accessories like wireless earbuds or smartwatches when a power outlet isn't readily available. It's not a replacement for a dedicated charger, but it provides a convenient backup option.
❓ What real-world difference does the 4nm process node of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 make in daily usage?
The 4nm process node translates to significantly improved power efficiency. This means the Honor Magic5 Pro will consume less battery power for the same tasks compared to the Mate 60, resulting in longer battery life and less heat generation during prolonged use.