Honor Magic5 Pro vs Huawei Nova 10 Pro: A Detailed Comparison

The Honor Magic5 Pro and Huawei Nova 10 Pro represent distinct approaches to the premium smartphone market. The Magic5 Pro aims for uncompromising flagship performance, leveraging the latest Snapdragon silicon, while the Nova 10 Pro prioritizes style and rapid charging within a more accessible price bracket. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users demanding top-tier performance and extended battery life, the Honor Magic5 Pro is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and superior battery endurance outweigh the Nova 10 Pro’s faster charging. However, the Nova 10 Pro remains a compelling option for those prioritizing aesthetics and quick top-ups.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei nova 10 Pro Honor Magic5 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 bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China
5G bands-1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - China
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 CDMA 800 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2022, July 042023, February 27
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, July 10Available. Released 2023, March 31
Body
Build-Glass front, glass back or eco leather back
Dimensions164.2 x 74.5 x 7.9 mm (6.46 x 2.93 x 0.31 in)162.9 x 76.7 x 8.8 mm (6.41 x 3.02 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)
Weight191 g (6.74 oz)219 g (7.72 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
Resolution1200 x 2652 pixels (~429 ppi density)1312 x 2848 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 111.4 cm2 (~91.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.81 inches, 113.7 cm2 (~91.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, HDR10, 120HzLTPO OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1800 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 670 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 670)Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 642LAdreno 740
OSHarmonyOS 2.0Android 13, upgradable to Android 14, MagicOS 8
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM
 -UFS 4.0
Main Camera
Dual8 MP, f/2.2, 52mm (portrait), AF 60 MP, f/2.4, 17mm, 100˚ (ultrawide), AF-
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single-12 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide), 1.22µm TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 112˚ (ultrawide), AF Auxiliary lens50 MP, f/1.6, 23mm (wide), 1/1.12" 1.4µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/3.0, 90mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 3.5x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.0, 13mm, 122˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", AF TOF 3D (depth)
Video4K, 1080p, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10, 10-bit video
Selfie camera
Dual8 MP, f/2.2, 52mm (telephoto), AF, 2x optical zoom 60 MP, f/2.4, 17mm, 100˚ (ultrawide), AF-
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single-12 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide), 1.22µm TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit audio stereo recording
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1, DisplayPort 1.2, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/a/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
 Virtual proximity sensing-
Battery
Charging100W wired, 20-80% in 10 min Reverse wired66W wired 50W wireless Reverse wireless 5W reverse wired
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhMarket-dependent versions:· Li-Po 5100 mAh (Global)· Si/C Li-Ion 5450 mAh (China only)
Misc
ColorsBlack, Silver, Green, VioletBlack, Meadow Green, Blue, Purple, Orange
ModelsGLA-AL00, GLA-LX1PGT-AN10, PGT-N19
PriceAbout 730 EUR£ 799.99 / € 407.79
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 89h Endurance rating 109h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -27.7 LUFS (Good) -24.6 LUFS (Very good)
Performance AnTuTu: 528847 (v9) GeekBench: 2794 (v5.1) GFXBench: 23fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) GeekBench: 4378 (v5.1), 5096 (v6)

Huawei nova 10 Pro

  • Incredibly fast 100W wired charging
  • Stylish and eye-catching design
  • Competitive price point

  • Less powerful Snapdragon 778G chipset
  • Lower peak display brightness
  • Shorter battery life compared to the Magic5 Pro

Honor Magic5 Pro

  • Flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 performance
  • Superior battery life and endurance
  • Brighter and more vibrant display

  • Slower 66W wired charging (compared to Nova 10 Pro)
  • Higher price tag
  • Potentially larger and heavier design

Display Comparison

The Honor Magic5 Pro boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching 1227 nits compared to the Nova 10 Pro’s 784 nits. This translates to superior visibility in direct sunlight. Both displays share an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, suggesting deep blacks, but the Magic5 Pro’s higher peak brightness provides a more vibrant and engaging viewing experience. While both likely utilize OLED technology, the Magic5 Pro’s panel is expected to have a higher refresh rate, though this isn’t explicitly stated, contributing to smoother animations and scrolling. The Nova 10 Pro’s brightness is adequate, but falls short of the flagship standard set by the Magic5 Pro.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature capable camera systems, but details are limited to 'Photo / Video' for both. However, given the Magic5 Pro’s flagship positioning, it’s reasonable to assume a larger main sensor and more advanced image processing capabilities. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) is far more powerful than the 778G’s, enabling better noise reduction, dynamic range, and low-light performance. While the Nova 10 Pro likely offers a respectable camera experience, the Magic5 Pro is expected to deliver consistently higher-quality photos and videos, particularly in challenging conditions. The absence of specific sensor details prevents a more granular comparison.

Performance

The performance gap between these devices is substantial. The Honor Magic5 Pro is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm), featuring a Cortex-X3 prime core clocked at 3.2 GHz, while the Nova 10 Pro utilizes the older Snapdragon 778G 4G (6nm). The 4nm process node of the 8 Gen 2 offers significantly improved power efficiency and thermal performance, allowing for sustained peak performance during demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. The Magic5 Pro’s CPU architecture – Cortex-X3, A715, and A710 cores – is a generation ahead of the Kryo 670 cores in the Nova 10 Pro, resulting in a noticeable difference in application launch speeds and overall responsiveness. The Nova 10 Pro is capable for everyday tasks, but will struggle with graphically intensive games and multitasking.

Battery Life

The Honor Magic5 Pro demonstrates a clear advantage in battery endurance. Its active use score of 12:06h and endurance rating of 115h significantly surpass the Nova 10 Pro’s 89h endurance rating. While the Nova 10 Pro boasts incredibly fast 100W wired charging (20-80% in 10 minutes), the Magic5 Pro’s 66W wired charging, coupled with its larger battery and more efficient chipset, provides a more balanced experience. The Magic5 Pro also offers 50W wireless and 5W reverse wireless charging, adding to its versatility, while the Nova 10 Pro only offers reverse *wired* charging. The Nova 10 Pro’s fast charging is a convenience, but the Magic5 Pro’s superior battery life reduces the need for frequent top-ups.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei Nova 10 Pro if you need a stylish phone with incredibly fast 100W charging and are willing to compromise on raw processing power. It’s ideal for social media enthusiasts and users who frequently need to quickly replenish their battery. Buy the Honor Magic5 Pro if you prefer a true flagship experience with a cutting-edge processor, exceptional battery life, and a more robust overall feature set, even if it means slightly slower charging speeds.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 778G in the Nova 10 Pro struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact?
Yes, the Snapdragon 778G is a capable mid-range chip, but it will likely require significant graphics settings reductions to achieve playable frame rates in graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact. Expect noticeable frame drops and potential thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions.
❓ How does the 66W charging on the Magic5 Pro compare to the 100W charging on the Nova 10 Pro in real-world use?
While 100W is faster on paper, the Magic5 Pro’s larger battery and more efficient chipset mean the difference in actual charging time isn’t as dramatic as the wattage suggests. The Nova 10 Pro will charge from 20-80% faster, but the Magic5 Pro’s longer battery life reduces the frequency of needing to charge.
❓ Is the reverse wired charging on the Nova 10 Pro useful for charging accessories like earbuds?
Yes, the reverse wired charging feature can be convenient for topping up accessories like wireless earbuds or smartwatches, although it's a relatively slow charging method. It's a useful feature to have in a pinch when a power outlet isn't readily available.
❓ Given the price difference, is the performance jump to the Magic5 Pro worth it for the average user?
For users who primarily use their phone for social media, browsing, and light tasks, the Nova 10 Pro offers excellent value. However, if you frequently engage in gaming, video editing, or other demanding activities, the performance boost provided by the Magic5 Pro’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is well worth the investment.