Huawei Mate 70 Pro vs Honor Magic6 Pro: A Head-to-Head Flagship Battle

Both the Huawei Mate 70 Pro and the Honor Magic6 Pro represent the pinnacle of Android smartphone technology, but they diverge significantly in their core philosophies. The Mate 70 Pro, leveraging Huawei’s in-house Kirin 9020 chipset, aims for self-sufficiency and a unique software experience. The Magic6 Pro, powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, prioritizes raw performance and broad compatibility. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device reigns supreme.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing peak performance and established ecosystem compatibility, the Honor Magic6 Pro is the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset delivers demonstrably faster processing speeds and superior thermal management. However, the Mate 70 Pro’s 100W wired and 80W wireless charging offer a compelling advantage for those who value rapid replenishment.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei Mate 70 Pro Honor Magic6 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 bandsLTELTE
5G bandsSA/NSASA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2024, November 262024, January 11
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, November 26Available. Released 2024, January 18
Body
BuildGlass front, aluminum alloy frameGlass front (NanoCrystal Shield), glass back or silicone polymer back (eco leather)
Dimensions164.6 x 79.5 x 8.2 mm (6.48 x 3.13 x 0.32 in)162.5 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm (6.40 x 2.98 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight221 g (7.80 oz)225 g or 229 g (7.94 oz)
Display
ProtectionHuawei Kunlun Glass 2NanoCrystal Shield
Resolution1316 x 2832 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~453 ppi density)1280 x 2800 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~453 ppi density)
Size6.9 inches, 117.4 cm2 (~89.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.8 inches, 112.8 cm2 (~91.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 2500 nits (peak)LTPO OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR, 1600 nits (HBM), 5000 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.5 GHz & 3x2.15 GHz & 4x1.6 GHz) - PLR-AL00Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz & 3x2.0 GHz & 4x1.6 GHz) - PLR-AL50Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520)
ChipsetKirin 9020 (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)
GPUMaleoon 920Adreno 750
OSHarmonyOS 4.3Android 14, up to 4 major Android upgrades, MagicOS 8
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDRLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple50 MP, f/1.4-f/4.0, 24mm (wide), PDAF, OIS 48 MP, f/2.1, 93mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 3.5x optical zoom 40 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), PDAF50 MP, f/1.4-2.0, 23mm (wide), 1/1.3", 1.2µm, PDAF, OIS 180 MP, f/2.6, (periscope telephoto), 1/1.49", 0.56µm, PDAF, OIS, 2.5x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.0, 13mm, 122˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.88", 0.61µm, AF
Video4K, 1080p, HDR, gyro-EIS, OIS4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS, OIS, HDR, 10-bit video
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panorama-
Single13 MP, f/2.4, 18mm (ultrawide) TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)50 MP, f/2.0, 22mm (wide), 1/2.93", 0.6µm, AF TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Video4K, 1080p, HDR, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, L2HC5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a+B2b), GALILEO (E1+E5a+E5b), QZSS (L1+L5), NavICGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG, DisplayPort 1.2USB Type-C 3.2, DisplayPort 1.2, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFace ID, fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging100W wired 80W wireless 20W reverse wireless 18W reverse wired80W wired 66W wireless Reverse wireless 5W reverse wired
Type5500 mAhSi/C Li-Ion 5600 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Purple, White, GreenBlack, Green, Blue, Purple, White
ModelsPLR-AL00, PLR-AL50BVL-AN16, BVL-N49
PriceAbout 860 EUR€ 455.54 / $ 899.00 / £ 598.99

Huawei Mate 70 Pro

  • Industry-leading 100W wired charging
  • 80W wireless charging – fastest in the market
  • Potentially unique software features within the Huawei ecosystem

  • Kirin 9020 chipset is less powerful than Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
  • Limited app compatibility due to potential Google Mobile Services restrictions

Honor Magic6 Pro

  • Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 delivers superior performance
  • Brighter display for excellent outdoor visibility
  • Wider app compatibility and access to Google services

  • Slower charging speeds compared to Mate 70 Pro
  • Less versatile reverse wireless charging

Display Comparison

The Honor Magic6 Pro boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1578 nits, making it far more legible outdoors than the Mate 70 Pro (brightness data unavailable). While both likely employ LTPO technology for adaptive refresh rates, the Magic6 Pro’s peak brightness is a clear advantage. The absence of detailed display specs for the Mate 70 Pro leaves questions about color accuracy and panel type unanswered, but the Magic6 Pro’s display is demonstrably superior in terms of visibility.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications for either device, a direct comparison is challenging. However, both brands have a history of prioritizing camera technology. The Mate 70 Pro’s image processing is likely to lean towards Huawei’s signature vibrant and sometimes over-processed aesthetic. The Magic6 Pro, leveraging Qualcomm’s ISP and Honor’s tuning, may offer a more natural and balanced image profile. The absence of sensor size information prevents a definitive assessment, but the presence of OIS on both devices is expected. We can assume both will offer competitive camera systems, but the Snapdragon’s image signal processor (ISP) generally provides more flexibility and advanced features.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Honor Magic6 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) is built on a more advanced process node than the Huawei Mate 70 Pro’s Kirin 9020 (7nm). This translates to greater transistor density, improved power efficiency, and ultimately, higher sustained performance. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3’s octa-core configuration, featuring a Cortex-X4 prime core clocked at 3.3 GHz, outpaces the Kirin 9020’s 2.5 GHz peak clock speed. While the Kirin 9020 is a capable chip, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 offers a substantial performance lead, particularly in GPU-intensive tasks. The Magic6 Pro also benefits from the Snapdragon’s superior thermal management, reducing the likelihood of throttling during extended gaming sessions.

Battery Life

The Honor Magic6 Pro delivers an impressive 14:06h active use score, indicating excellent battery life. While the Mate 70 Pro’s battery capacity is unknown, its charging capabilities are a standout feature. 100W wired charging is significantly faster than the Magic6 Pro’s 80W, and 80W wireless charging dwarfs the Magic6 Pro’s 66W. The Mate 70 Pro also offers 20W reverse wired charging, compared to the Magic6 Pro’s 5W, making it a more versatile power bank. The faster charging speeds of the Mate 70 Pro partially offset any potential capacity disadvantage.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei Mate 70 Pro if you need unparalleled charging speeds, are invested in the Huawei ecosystem, and are comfortable with a potentially more customized software experience. Buy the Honor Magic6 Pro if you prioritize raw processing power for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing, require the widest app compatibility, and value a brighter, more visible display in direct sunlight.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 9020 chipset in the Mate 70 Pro suffer from significant thermal throttling during prolonged gaming sessions?
Given the 7nm process node and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3’s superior thermal efficiency, the Kirin 9020 is more likely to experience throttling under sustained load. While Huawei employs cooling solutions, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3’s 4nm architecture provides a fundamental advantage in heat dissipation.
❓ How does the lack of Google Mobile Services (GMS) on the Huawei Mate 70 Pro impact app availability and user experience?
The Mate 70 Pro relies on Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) and the AppGallery. While the AppGallery has grown, it still lacks some popular apps readily available on the Google Play Store. Users may need to sideload apps or rely on alternative sources, which can pose security risks and compatibility issues.
❓ What real-world benefits does the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3’s Cortex-X4 prime core offer over the Kirin 9020’s CPU configuration?
The Cortex-X4 core in the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is designed for peak performance in single-threaded tasks, resulting in snappier app launches, smoother multitasking, and improved responsiveness in demanding applications. The higher clock speed (3.3 GHz) further enhances this advantage over the Kirin 9020.
❓ Is the 5W reverse wired charging on the Honor Magic6 Pro useful for charging accessories like earbuds or smartwatches?
While 5W reverse wired charging is functional, it's relatively slow. It's suitable for emergency charging of small accessories but not for quickly topping up larger devices. The Mate 70 Pro’s 20W reverse wired charging is significantly more practical for this purpose.