Huawei Mate X6 vs Honor Magic V3: A Deep Dive into Foldable Flagships

The foldable phone market is heating up, with Huawei and Honor both offering compelling options. The Huawei Mate X6 represents a refinement of Huawei’s established foldable design, while the Honor Magic V3 marks a significant shift for Honor, adopting Qualcomm’s latest silicon. This comparison dissects the key differences between these two devices, focusing on performance, battery life, and display quality.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Honor Magic V3 is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset delivers a substantial performance boost and improved power efficiency, resulting in a significantly longer battery life (10:05h active use) compared to the Mate X6’s 8:56h. While the Mate X6 offers competitive charging, the Magic V3’s overall package is more compelling.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei Mate X6 Honor Magic V3
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, 66
5G bandsSA/NSA1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2024, November 262024, July 12
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, November 26Available. Released 2024, July 19
Body
BuildGlass front, nylon fiber or silicone polymer back (eco leather), aluminum frameGlass front, fiber-reinforced plastic back, aluminum frame
DimensionsUnfolded: 156.6 x 144.1 x 4.6 mmFolded: 156.6 x 73.8 x 9.9 mmUnfolded: 156.6 x 145.3 x 4.35 mm or 4.4 mmFolded: 156.6 x 74.0 x 9.2 mm or 9.3 mm
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight239 g (8.43 oz)226 g or 230 g (7.97 oz)
Display
Protection-King Kong Rhinoceros
Resolution2240 x 2440 pixels (~418 ppi density)2156 x 2344 pixels (~402 ppi density)
Size7.93 inches, 202.1 cm2 (~91.5% screen-to-body ratio)7.92 inches, 201.6 cm2 (~88.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeFoldable LTPO OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR Vivid, 1800 nits (peak)Foldable LTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 120Hz, 1800 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.5 GHz & 3x2.15 GHz & 4x1.53GHz)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
OSEMUI 15 (International), HarmonyOS 4.3 (China)Android 14, upgradable to Android 15, MagicOS 9
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDRLaser AF, LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple50 MP, f/1.4-f/4.0, 24mm (wide), PDAF, OIS 48 MP, f/3.0, 90mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 4x optical zoom 40 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), PDAF50 MP, f/1.6, 23mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/3.0, 90mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.51", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS, 3.5x optical zoom 40 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), AF
Video4K, 1080p, HDR, gyro-EIS, OIS, HDR Vivid4K@30/60fps (10-bit), 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, OIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaHDR
Single8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) Cover camera: 8 MP, f/2.4, (wide)20 MP, f/2.2, 90˚, 21mm (wide), 0.61µm Cover camera: 20 MP, f/2.2, 90˚, 21mm (wide), 0.61µm
Video4K, 1080p4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, L2HC5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, LDAC
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a+B2b), GALILEO (E1+E5a+E5b), QZSS (L1+L5), NavICGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG, DisplayPort 1.2USB 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/6e/7, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging66W wired 50W wireless 7.5W reverse wireless 5W reverse wired66W wired 50W wireless 5W reverse wired
TypeSi/C Li-Ion 5110 or 5200 mAhSi/C Li-Ion 5150 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, Gray, Blue, RedVelvet Black, Snow, Tundra Green, Red
ModelsICL-AL10, ICL-LX9FCP-AN10, FCP-N49
PriceAbout 2000 EUR€ 838.00 / $ 1,229.00 / £ 832.00

Huawei Mate X6

  • Higher peak display brightness (1173 nits)
  • Fast 66W wired charging
  • Established Huawei foldable design

  • Inferior chipset performance (Kirin 9020)
  • Shorter battery life (8:56h active use)
  • Less efficient 7nm process

Honor Magic V3

  • Superior performance (Snapdragon 8 Gen 3)
  • Longer battery life (10:05h active use)
  • More efficient 4nm process

  • Slightly lower peak display brightness (1076 nits)
  • Relatively newer entrant to the foldable market

Display Comparison

Both foldables feature large displays, but differ in brightness and underlying technology. The Huawei Mate X6 boasts a peak brightness of 1173 nits, exceeding the Honor Magic V3’s 1076 nits. This translates to better visibility in direct sunlight for the Mate X6. However, the specifics of panel technology (LTPO, refresh rate) are not provided, making a deeper analysis of display smoothness and power consumption impossible. The difference in peak brightness, while measurable, may not be noticeable in typical usage scenarios.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is limited. However, the chipset plays a crucial role in image processing. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3’s advanced ISP (Image Signal Processor) in the Magic V3 will likely result in faster image processing, improved noise reduction, and better dynamic range compared to the Kirin 9020 in the Mate X6. The absence of sensor size or aperture information prevents a more granular analysis, but the Magic V3’s superior processing power gives it an edge.

Performance

The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Honor Magic V3’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) chipset, featuring a Cortex-X4 prime core clocked at 3.3 GHz, represents a substantial leap over the Huawei Mate X6’s Kirin 9020 (7nm). The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3’s newer architecture and smaller process node deliver superior CPU and GPU performance, alongside improved thermal efficiency. The Kirin 9020’s octa-core configuration (2.5 GHz, 2.15 GHz, 1.53 GHz) is simply outmatched by the Snapdragon’s more advanced design. This difference will be most apparent in demanding applications like gaming and video editing, where the Magic V3 will maintain higher frame rates and smoother performance.

Battery Life

The Honor Magic V3’s active use battery score of 10:05h significantly surpasses the Huawei Mate X6’s 8:56h. This difference is primarily attributable to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3’s superior power efficiency. While both devices offer 66W wired charging and 50W wireless charging, the Magic V3’s larger battery life means users will rely on these charging capabilities less frequently. Both also offer 5W/7.5W reverse wireless charging, a convenient feature for topping up accessories.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei Mate X6 if you prioritize fast charging speeds and are deeply embedded within the Huawei ecosystem, potentially benefiting from seamless integration with other Huawei devices. Buy the Honor Magic V3 if you demand top-tier performance for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing, and value longer battery life for all-day use. The Magic V3 is the better choice for users seeking a more future-proof and powerful foldable experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 9020 in the Mate X6 struggle with sustained performance during demanding games?
Yes, the Kirin 9020, being a 7nm chip, is more prone to thermal throttling under sustained load compared to the 4nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the Magic V3. This means you may experience frame drops and reduced performance during extended gaming sessions on the Mate X6.
❓ How much faster is the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the Magic V3 compared to the Kirin 9020 in real-world tasks?
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 offers a substantial performance uplift – roughly 30-40% in CPU benchmarks and even higher in GPU-intensive tasks. This translates to noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive overall user experience on the Magic V3.
❓ Is the difference in battery life between the two phones significant enough to matter for daily use?
Absolutely. The 1 hour and 49-minute difference in active use battery life is substantial. The Honor Magic V3’s longer battery life means you’re less likely to need to top up during the day, making it a more convenient option for power users.
❓ Given both phones have 66W wired charging, does the Mate X6's faster charging offset its shorter battery life?
While the Mate X6 charges quickly, the Magic V3’s superior battery life ultimately provides a better experience. Spending less time tethered to a charger is generally more valuable than slightly faster charging speeds.