Huawei Mate X3 vs Honor Magic Vs Ultimate: The Ultimate Foldable Face-Off

The foldable phone market is heating up, and two contenders are vying for the top spot: the Huawei Mate X3 and the Honor Magic Vs Ultimate. Both offer stunning designs and powerful specs, but which one delivers the best overall experience? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Honor Magic Vs Ultimate edges out the Mate X3 thanks to its slightly more refined software, potentially better camera optimization, and a more competitive price point. However, the Mate X3 boasts a brighter display and impressive battery endurance, making it a strong contender for those prioritizing screen visibility and longevity.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei Mate X3 Honor Magic Vs Ultimate
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 bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41
5G bands-1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO CDMA2000 1x
Launch
Announced2023, March 232022, November 23
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, April 08Available. Released 2022, December 30
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back or eco leather back, aluminum frameGlass front, glass back, magnesium alloy frame, titanium alloy folding mechanism
DimensionsUnfolded: 156.9 x 141.5 x 5.3 mmFolded: 156.9 x 72.4 x 11.1 mmUnfolded: 160.3 x 141.5 x 6.1 mmFolded: 160.3 x 72.6 x 12.9 mm
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight239 g or 241 g (8.43 oz)265 g (9.35 oz)
 IPX8 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)-
Display
ProtectionKunlun Glass (cover display only)-
Resolution2224 x 2496 pixels (~426 ppi density)1984 x 2272 pixels (~382 ppi density)
Size7.85 inches, 197.5 cm2 (~88.9% screen-to-body ratio)7.9 inches, 199.5 cm2 (~87.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeFoldable OLED, 1B colors, 120HzFoldable OLED, 1B colors, 90Hz, HDR10+, 800 nits
 Cover display: OLED, 120Hz, 6.4 inches, 1080 x 2504 pixelsStylus support Cover display: OLED (nano glass-ceramic cover), 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1200 nits, 6.45 inches, 1080 x 2560 pixels, 431 ppi
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 730Adreno 730
OSHarmonyOS 3.1 (China), EMUI 13.1 (Europe), no Google Play ServicesAndroid 12, MagicOS 7
Memory
Card slotNano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM512GB 16GB RAM
 UFS-
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDRDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/3.4, 125mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 13 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), AF54 MP, f/1.9, 27mm (wide), 1/1.49", 1.0µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, (telephoto), PDAF, 3x optical zoom, OIS 50 MP, f/2.0, 13mm, 122˚ (ultrawide), AF
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps (10-bit), 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10+
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaHDR
Single8 MP, f/2.4, (wide) Cover camera: 8 MP, f/2.4, (wide)16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (B1I+B1c+B2a), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavICGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, DisplayPort 1.2, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG, Display Port 1.2
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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, altimeterFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
 BDS Satellite Message-
Battery
Charging66W wired 50W wireless 7.5W reverse wireless66W wired 5W reverse wired
TypeMarket-dependent versions:· Li-Po 4800 mAh (Global)· Si/C Li-Ion 5060 mAh (China only)Li-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, Violet, Dark Green, GoldGold, Black
ModelsALT-AL00, ALT-L29FRI-AN10
PriceAbout 1500 EURAbout 1500 EUR
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 81h -
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)-
Loudspeaker -26.3 LUFS (Good) -
Performance AnTuTu: 993592 (v9) GeekBench: 4283 (v5.5), 4512 (v6) GFXBench: 41fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)-

Huawei Mate X3

  • Brighter Display (926 nits)
  • Exceptional Battery Life (81h Endurance)
  • Premium Build Quality
  • Powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1

  • Limited Camera Details in Specs
  • Potential Software Limitations (Huawei Ecosystem)
  • Price may be higher

Honor Magic Vs Ultimate

  • Potentially Superior Camera Performance
  • Refined Software Experience
  • Competitive Price
  • Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1

  • Lower Peak Brightness
  • Shorter Battery Life (compared to Mate X3)
  • 5W Reverse Wired Charging is slow

Display Comparison

Both devices feature excellent foldable displays, but the Mate X3 takes the lead with a measured peak brightness of 926 nits, significantly brighter than the Magic Vs Ultimate. While the Magic Vs Ultimate boasts an 'infinite' contrast ratio (likely a marketing term), the Mate X3's brightness advantage makes it more usable in direct sunlight. Both offer vibrant colors and sharp resolution.

Camera Comparison

Camera details are limited in the provided specs. However, based on general knowledge, the Honor Magic Vs Ultimate is expected to have a more refined camera system with potentially better image processing. The Mate X3's camera is still capable, but may not match the Magic Vs Ultimate's overall image quality. Further testing would be needed for a definitive verdict.

Performance

Both phones are powered by the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, ensuring flagship-level performance. The slight CPU clock speed difference (3.2 GHz vs 3.19 GHz on the X3) is unlikely to be noticeable in everyday use. Expect smooth multitasking, responsive gaming, and effortless app handling on both devices.

Battery Life

The Mate X3 shines in this category with an impressive endurance rating of 81 hours. This significantly surpasses the Magic Vs Ultimate, suggesting longer battery life between charges. While both offer 66W wired charging, the Mate X3's superior battery capacity gives it a clear advantage.

Buying Guide

The Huawei Mate X3 is ideal for users who prioritize a brighter display, exceptional battery life, and are comfortable with Huawei's ecosystem. The Honor Magic Vs Ultimate is a better choice for those seeking a more polished software experience, potentially superior camera performance, and a more accessible price.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which foldable phone is more durable?
Both phones are built with robust materials, but independent durability tests are needed for a definitive answer. The hinge mechanism is a critical factor in foldable phone durability.
❓ Does the Huawei Mate X3 support Google services?
Due to ongoing restrictions, the Huawei Mate X3 does not natively support Google services. Users will need to rely on Huawei's AppGallery and workarounds for accessing Google apps.