Huawei nova 14 Ultra vs Honor Magic6 Pro: A Deep Dive into Flagship Choices

The Huawei nova 14 Ultra and Honor Magic6 Pro represent compelling options in the premium smartphone space, but cater to different priorities. The nova 14 Ultra aims for a balance of style and performance with Huawei’s Kirin chipset, while the Magic6 Pro leverages Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, prioritizing raw power and advanced features. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing peak performance and future-proofing, the Honor Magic6 Pro is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset delivers significantly faster processing and graphics capabilities. However, the Huawei nova 14 Ultra offers a compelling alternative for those within the Huawei ecosystem or seeking a potentially more affordable flagship experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei nova 14 Ultra 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
Announced2025, May 192024, January 11
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, May 19Available. Released 2024, January 18
Body
Build-Glass front (NanoCrystal Shield), glass back or silicone polymer back (eco leather)
Dimensions163.4 x 75.6 x 7.8 mm (6.43 x 2.98 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
Weight204 g (7.20 oz)225 g or 229 g (7.94 oz)
Display
ProtectionKunlun GlassNanoCrystal Shield
Resolution1272 x 2860 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~460 ppi density)1280 x 2800 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~453 ppi density)
Size6.81 inches, 111.1 cm2 (~89.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.8 inches, 112.8 cm2 (~91.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO3 OLED, 1B colors, HDR, 120Hz, 5500 nits (peak)LTPO OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR, 1600 nits (HBM), 5000 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.29 GHz & 3x2.05 GHz & 4x1.3 GHz)Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520)
ChipsetKirin 8020Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)
GPUMaleoon 920 2cuAdreno 750
OSHarmonyOS 5.0Android 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, Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDRLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple50 MP, f/1.4-4.0, 24mm (wide), PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.2, 88mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 3.7x optical zoom 13 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), AF50 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, gyro-EIS, HDR Vivid4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS, OIS, HDR, 10-bit video
Selfie camera
Dual8 MP, f/2.2, 52mm (telephoto), AF, 2x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.0, (ultrawide), 1/2.5", Dual Pixel PDAF-
FeaturesHDR, panorama-
Single-50 MP, f/2.0, 22mm (wide), 1/2.93", 0.6µm, AF TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Video4K, 1080p, gyro-EIS, HDR Vivid4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, L2HC (320-960 kbps HD audio)5.3, 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 2.0, OTGUSB 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging100W wired, SCP, UFCS, PD, PPS, QC 5W reverse wired80W wired 66W wireless Reverse wireless 5W reverse wired
Type5500 mAhSi/C Li-Ion 5600 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, Purple, GoldBlack, Green, Blue, Purple, White
ModelsMRT-AL10BVL-AN16, BVL-N49
PriceAbout 520 EUR€ 455.54 / $ 899.00 / £ 598.99

Huawei nova 14 Ultra

  • Potentially lower price point
  • 100W wired charging for faster top-ups
  • Integration with Huawei ecosystem

  • Less powerful Kirin 8020 chipset
  • Likely inferior display brightness
  • Limited camera information

Honor Magic6 Pro

  • Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for top-tier performance
  • Exceptional 14:06h battery life
  • 1578 nits peak display brightness

  • Higher price tag
  • 80W wired charging is slower than nova 14 Ultra
  • May lack some Huawei-specific features

Display Comparison

The Honor Magic6 Pro boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1578 nits, compared to an unspecified peak brightness for the nova 14 Ultra. This translates to superior visibility in direct sunlight. While both likely utilize OLED technology, the Magic6 Pro’s brightness advantage is a key differentiator. The absence of refresh rate information for the nova 14 Ultra suggests it may not match the Magic6 Pro’s potential for adaptive refresh rates, impacting smoothness during scrolling and gaming. The Magic6 Pro’s brightness is particularly beneficial for HDR content consumption.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications for the nova 14 Ultra, a direct comparison is limited. However, the Honor Magic6 Pro is expected to feature a flagship-level camera system, likely with a large main sensor and advanced image processing capabilities. The absence of information regarding sensor sizes and OIS on the nova 14 Ultra makes it difficult to assess its camera performance relative to the Magic6 Pro. The Magic6 Pro’s image processing, leveraging the Snapdragon’s ISP, will likely offer superior dynamic range and low-light performance. We can assume the Magic6 Pro will have a more sophisticated camera system overall.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Huawei nova 14 Ultra utilizes the Kirin 8020, while the Honor Magic6 Pro is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (SM8650-AB), fabricated on a more efficient 4nm process. 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 – represents a substantial leap in performance over the Kirin 8020’s Octa-core setup (1x2.29 GHz & 3x2.05 GHz & 4x1.3 GHz). This translates to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and significantly improved gaming performance. The 4nm process of the Snapdragon also contributes to better thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads.

Battery Life

The Honor Magic6 Pro demonstrates a clear advantage in battery life, achieving 14:06 hours of active use. While the nova 14 Ultra’s battery capacity is unknown, the Magic6 Pro’s endurance is a significant selling point. The Magic6 Pro supports 80W wired charging, 66W wireless charging, and 5W reverse wireless charging, offering versatile charging options. The nova 14 Ultra counters with 100W wired charging, potentially offering faster top-ups, but lacks the convenience of comparable wireless charging speeds. Both support 5W reverse wired charging.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei nova 14 Ultra if you prioritize a stylish design, are deeply integrated into the Huawei ecosystem, and value fast 100W wired charging alongside a potentially lower price point. Buy the Honor Magic6 Pro if you demand the absolute best performance for gaming and demanding applications, require exceptional battery life (14:06h active use), and appreciate a brighter, more advanced display with 1578 nits peak brightness.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 8020 in the Huawei nova 14 Ultra struggle with graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact?
The Kirin 8020 is a capable chipset, but the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the Honor Magic6 Pro offers a substantial performance advantage. While the nova 14 Ultra can likely run Genshin Impact, expect lower frame rates and potentially more noticeable frame drops, especially at higher settings. The Magic6 Pro will provide a smoother, more consistent gaming experience.
❓ How does the 66W wireless charging on the Honor Magic6 Pro compare to the 100W wired charging on the Huawei nova 14 Ultra in terms of convenience?
While 100W wired charging is faster for a full charge, 66W wireless charging on the Magic6 Pro offers significant convenience. You can simply place the phone on a wireless charger without needing to plug in a cable. For many users, the convenience of wireless charging outweighs the slightly faster charging speed of the nova 14 Ultra’s wired charging.
❓ Is the difference in display brightness between the two phones noticeable in everyday use?
Yes, the 1578 nits peak brightness of the Honor Magic6 Pro is significantly higher than what is expected from the Huawei nova 14 Ultra. This difference is most noticeable outdoors in direct sunlight, where the Magic6 Pro’s screen will remain much more readable. Even indoors, the brighter display can provide a more vibrant and immersive viewing experience.