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 approach it from different angles. The Mate 70 Pro+ champions Huawei’s in-house silicon with the Kirin 9020, while the Magic6 Pro leverages the industry-leading Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device delivers the best overall experience.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing raw performance and sustained gaming, the Honor Magic6 Pro takes the lead thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3’s superior efficiency and the impressive 14:06h active use battery score. However, the Mate 70 Pro+’s faster wired and wireless charging, alongside its unique software ecosystem, make it a compelling alternative for Huawei loyalists.

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, titanium alloy frameGlass front (NanoCrystal Shield), glass back or silicone polymer back (eco leather)
Dimensions164.6 x 79.5 x 8.3 mm (6.48 x 3.13 x 0.33 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
Weight226 g (7.97 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 Taishan Big & 3x2.15 GHz Taishan Mid & 4x1.53GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-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
Internal512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB 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
TypeSi/C Li-Ion 5700 mAhSi/C Li-Ion 5600 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Gray, White, GreenBlack, Green, Blue, Purple, White
ModelsPLA-AL10BVL-AN16, BVL-N49
PriceAbout 1120 EUR€ 455.54 / $ 899.00 / £ 598.99

Huawei Mate 70 Pro+

  • Extremely fast 100W wired charging
  • 80W wireless charging is faster than the competition
  • More versatile reverse charging options (20W wired/wireless)
  • Huawei ecosystem integration

  • Less efficient 7nm Kirin 9020 chipset
  • Potentially lower sustained performance
  • Display brightness likely lower than Magic6 Pro

Honor Magic6 Pro

  • Industry-leading Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 performance
  • Exceptional 14:06h battery life
  • Ultra-bright 1578 nit display
  • More efficient 4nm process node

  • Slower wired charging (80W)
  • Limited reverse charging (5W wired)
  • Relies on Qualcomm ecosystem

Display Comparison

The Honor Magic6 Pro boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1578 nits, making it ideal for outdoor visibility. While the Mate 70 Pro+’s display specifications are not provided, the Magic6 Pro’s brightness advantage is substantial. Both are likely to utilize LTPO technology for adaptive refresh rates, but the Honor’s peak brightness is a clear differentiator. The Magic6 Pro’s brightness will benefit users who frequently use their phones in direct sunlight.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications for the Mate 70 Pro+, a direct comparison is limited. However, both devices are expected to feature high-end camera systems. The focus should be on sensor size, optical image stabilization (OIS), and image processing algorithms. The larger the main sensor, the better the low-light performance. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) is known for its advanced computational photography capabilities, potentially giving the Magic6 Pro an edge in image quality. We'd need to see sample images to make a definitive judgement.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Honor Magic6 Pro’s 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 better thermal efficiency and sustained performance under load. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3’s CPU configuration – 1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4, 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720, 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720, and 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520 – offers a more balanced and powerful architecture compared to the Kirin 9020’s Taishan cores. Gamers and power users will likely see a noticeable advantage on the Honor.

Battery Life

The Honor Magic6 Pro’s 14:06h active use score demonstrates exceptional battery life, likely due to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3’s efficiency. While the Mate 70 Pro+ offers faster charging – 100W wired and 80W wireless versus the Magic6 Pro’s 80W wired and 66W wireless – the Magic6 Pro’s longer runtime may be more valuable for many users. The Mate 70 Pro+ also offers 20W reverse wired charging and 20W reverse wireless charging, while the Magic6 Pro only offers 5W reverse wired. This makes the Mate 70 Pro+ a better option for topping up accessories.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei Mate 70 Pro+ if you prioritize extremely fast charging speeds (100W wired, 80W wireless) and are invested in the Huawei ecosystem, valuing its unique software features and design language. Buy the Honor Magic6 Pro if you demand the highest possible Android performance, exceptional battery life, and a brighter, more visible display, especially for outdoor use.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 9020 in the Mate 70 Pro+ suffer from significant thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
Given the 7nm process node and the Taishan architecture, the Kirin 9020 is more likely to experience thermal throttling compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3’s 4nm process. While Huawei employs cooling solutions, sustained peak performance may be limited during prolonged, demanding tasks like gaming.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3's AI processing capabilities benefit everyday use on the Honor Magic6 Pro?
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3’s dedicated AI engine enhances various aspects of the user experience, including camera scene recognition, image processing, voice assistant responsiveness, and power management. This results in smarter, more efficient performance across a wide range of applications.
❓ Is the 66W wireless charging on the Honor Magic6 Pro fast enough for most users, or is the Mate 70 Pro+'s 80W a significant advantage?
While 66W is still considered fast wireless charging, the Mate 70 Pro+'s 80W offers a noticeable speed increase. The difference is most apparent when charging from very low battery levels, but for overnight charging, the difference may be less significant.
❓ What are the implications of the Huawei Mate 70 Pro+ not having Google Mobile Services (GMS)?
The absence of GMS means the Mate 70 Pro+ relies on Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) and the AppGallery. While the AppGallery has grown, some popular apps may not be natively available and require sideloading or using alternative solutions. This can be a significant drawback for users heavily reliant on Google apps.