Huawei Mate 70 vs Honor Magic6 Pro: Which Flagship Reigns Supreme?

Both the Huawei Mate 70 and the Honor Magic6 Pro represent the pinnacle of their respective brands' smartphone engineering. However, they diverge significantly in their core philosophies: Huawei relies on its in-house Kirin 9020 chipset, while Honor leverages the power of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. This comparison dissects these differences, focusing on real-world implications for performance, battery life, and overall user experience.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing raw performance and future-proofing, the Honor Magic6 Pro is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset delivers superior processing power and efficiency. However, the Mate 70’s competitive charging speeds and potentially unique software features (not detailed in provided data) may appeal to loyal Huawei users.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei Mate 70 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)
Dimensions160.9 x 75.9 x 7.8 mm (6.33 x 2.99 x 0.31 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
Weight203 g (7.16 oz)225 g or 229 g (7.94 oz)
Display
ProtectionHuawei Kunlun Glass 2NanoCrystal Shield
Resolution1216 x 2688 pixels (~440 ppi density)1280 x 2800 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~453 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 108.8 cm2 (~89.1% 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)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
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB 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 12 MP, f/3.4, 125mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 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)50 MP, f/2.0, 22mm (wide), 1/2.93", 0.6µm, AF TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Video4K, 1080p4K@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
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging66W wired 50W wireless 7.5W reverse wireless 5W reverse wired80W wired 66W wireless Reverse wireless 5W reverse wired
Type5300 mAhSi/C Li-Ion 5600 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Purple, White, GreenBlack, Green, Blue, Purple, White
ModelsCLS-AL00BVL-AN16, BVL-N49
PriceAbout 720 EUR€ 455.54 / $ 899.00 / £ 598.99

Huawei Mate 70

  • Potentially unique software features (Huawei ecosystem)
  • Competitive 66W wired charging
  • 50W wireless charging offers convenience

  • Older 7nm Kirin 9020 chipset lags behind Snapdragon
  • Missing display brightness data suggests potential limitations

Honor Magic6 Pro

  • Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 delivers class-leading performance
  • Exceptional 14:06h battery life in active use
  • 80W wired charging for rapid power-ups

  • May lack the software customization options of Huawei
  • Price may be higher than the Mate 70

Display Comparison

The Honor Magic6 Pro boasts a significantly brighter display, peaking at 1578 nits, making it far more usable in direct sunlight compared to the Mate 70 (brightness data unavailable). While both likely employ OLED technology, the Magic6 Pro’s brightness advantage is a tangible benefit. The absence of refresh rate data for the Mate 70 makes a direct comparison difficult, but the Magic6 Pro’s likely adaptive refresh rate (LTPO) contributes to power efficiency. Bezels and color accuracy are unknown for both, but the brightness difference is a key differentiator.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is limited. However, the chipset’s image signal processor (ISP) plays a crucial role. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 ISP is renowned for its advanced computational photography capabilities, likely resulting in superior image processing in the Magic6 Pro. Sensor size and lens apertures are unknown for both, but the Snapdragon’s ISP provides a significant advantage in dynamic range and low-light performance. The absence of information regarding OIS on either device prevents a complete assessment.

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’s Kirin 9020 (7nm). This translates to greater transistor density, improved power efficiency, and higher peak performance. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3’s CPU configuration – a 1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 prime core alongside 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 and 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 cores – is architecturally superior to the Kirin 9020’s octa-core setup. The Kirin 9020’s varying clock speeds (2.5 GHz, 2.15 GHz, 1.6 GHz) suggest a tiered approach to power management, but it’s unlikely to match the Snapdragon’s sustained performance. The Magic6 Pro will excel in graphically intensive tasks and multitasking.

Battery Life

The Honor Magic6 Pro’s 14:06h active use score is a compelling metric, indicating excellent battery life. While the Mate 70’s battery capacity is unknown, the Magic6 Pro’s combination of a power-efficient chipset and optimized software delivers superior endurance. The Magic6 Pro’s 80W wired charging is faster than the Mate 70’s 66W, and its 66W wireless charging matches the Mate 70’s wireless capabilities. Both offer 5W reverse wired charging, but the faster overall charging speeds of the Magic6 Pro are a significant advantage.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei Mate 70 if you prioritize a potentially more refined software experience within the Huawei ecosystem and value fast charging speeds, particularly the 66W wired and 50W wireless capabilities. Buy the Honor Magic6 Pro if you demand the absolute best performance for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing, and if long-lasting battery life – evidenced by its 14:06h active use score – is paramount.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 9020 chipset in the Mate 70 struggle with sustained gaming performance?
Given the 7nm process node and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3’s architectural advantages, the Kirin 9020 is likely to experience more thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions. While it can handle casual gaming, demanding titles at high settings may result in frame drops and reduced performance over time.
❓ How does the Honor Magic6 Pro's charging speed translate to real-world usage?
The 80W wired charging allows for a significant top-up in a short amount of time. Expect a 0-50% charge in approximately 15-20 minutes, and a full charge in under 40 minutes. This is particularly beneficial for users who frequently run out of battery during the day.
❓ Is the difference in chipset performance noticeable for everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
For basic tasks, the difference will be minimal. Both phones are powerful enough to handle everyday usage smoothly. However, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3’s superior processing power will be more apparent when multitasking, editing photos/videos, or running demanding applications.
❓ What are the implications of the different chipset manufacturing processes (7nm vs 4nm)?
A smaller manufacturing process (4nm) generally leads to higher transistor density, improved power efficiency, and reduced heat generation. This translates to better performance and longer battery life, giving the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 a clear advantage over the Kirin 9020.