Meizu 21 vs Honor Magic6 RSR Porsche Design: A Deep Dive into Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Flagships

The Meizu 21 and Honor Magic6 RSR Porsche Design represent two distinct approaches to the high-end Android market. While both are powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, the Honor leverages a Porsche Design aesthetic and focuses on battery endurance, while the Meizu aims for a more streamlined experience. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right flagship.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing battery life and convenience, the Honor Magic6 RSR Porsche Design is the superior choice. Its 14:14 active use battery score and inclusion of 66W wireless charging significantly outweigh the Meizu 21’s slightly more affordable price point. However, the Meizu 21 remains a compelling option for those seeking a clean software experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Meizu 21 Honor Magic6 RSR Porsche Design
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41LTE
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSASA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2023, November 302024, March 18
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, November 30Available. Released 2024, March 22
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, aluminum frameGlass front (NanoCrystal Shield), glass back (NanoCrystal Shield), titanium frame
Dimensions156.7 x 75.3 x 7.9 mm (6.17 x 2.96 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
Weight198 g (6.98 oz)237 g (8.36 oz)
Display
Protection-NanoCrystal Shield
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~393 ppi density)1280 x 2800 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~453 ppi density)
Size6.55 inches, 105.3 cm2 (~89.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.8 inches, 112.8 cm2 (~91.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 600 nits (typ), 1100 nits (HBM), 1800 nits (peak)LTPO OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR, 1800 nits (HBM), 5000 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520)Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 750Adreno 750
OSAndroid 13, Flyme 10.5Android 14, MagicOS 8
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM1TB 24GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesRing-LED flash, panorama, HDRColor spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple200 MP, f/1.7, 22mm (wide), 1/1.4", PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.4, 15mm, 122˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.1" 5 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1/5.0"50 MP, f/1.4-2.0, 23mm (wide), 1/1.3", LiDAR AF, 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", AF
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS, OIS, HDR, 10-bit video
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR-
Single32 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.1"50 MP, f/2.0, 22mm (wide), 1/2.93", AF TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.4, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2, DisplayPort 1.2, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 а/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging80W wired, PD3 PPS, QC4+80W wired 66W wireless Reverse wireless 5W reverse wired
Type4800 mAhSi/C Li-Ion 5600 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Purple, Green, WhiteAgate Grey, Frozen Berry
Models-BVL-N59, BVL-AN20
PriceAbout 440 EURAbout 3020 EUR

Meizu 21

  • Potentially more affordable price point
  • Clean software experience (assumed based on Meizu’s history)
  • Fast 80W wired charging

  • Battery life likely inferior to the Honor
  • No wireless charging
  • Camera specifications unknown

Honor Magic6 RSR Porsche Design

  • Exceptional 14:14 hour battery life
  • 66W wireless charging and reverse charging
  • Ultra-bright 1731 nit display

  • Higher price due to Porsche Design branding
  • Potential for software bloat (Honor’s history)
  • Larger size and weight (likely)

Display Comparison

Both devices utilize the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, but the Honor Magic6 RSR boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 1731 nits. This is crucial for outdoor visibility, offering a far superior experience in direct sunlight compared to the Meizu 21 (brightness data unavailable). While both likely employ high refresh rate panels, the Honor’s brightness advantage is a clear differentiator. The Porsche Design model’s display is geared towards users who consume a lot of media outdoors or in brightly lit environments.

Camera Comparison

Camera specifications are not provided for the Meizu 21, making a direct comparison difficult. However, the Honor Magic6 RSR Porsche Design is expected to feature a high-end camera system befitting its price point. The focus should be on the main sensor size, aperture, and optical image stabilization (OIS) capabilities. Without detailed camera specs for the Meizu 21, it’s difficult to assess its image quality relative to the Honor. We can assume the Honor will offer more advanced computational photography features, leveraging the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3’s ISP.

Performance

Both the Meizu 21 and the Honor Magic6 RSR Porsche Design are equipped with the Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) chipset, featuring the same Octa-core CPU configuration (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4, 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720, 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720, 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520). This means raw processing power will be nearly identical. However, sustained performance will depend on thermal management, a metric not provided. The Honor’s larger battery *could* contribute to better thermal headroom under prolonged load, but this requires independent testing. Both devices likely utilize LPDDR5x RAM, further minimizing performance bottlenecks.

Battery Life

The Honor Magic6 RSR Porsche Design clearly wins in battery endurance with a reported 14:14 hours of active use. While the Meizu 21’s battery capacity is unknown, the Honor’s longevity is a significant advantage. Both support 80W wired charging, offering rapid replenishment. However, the Honor adds 66W wireless charging and 5W reverse wired charging, providing unparalleled convenience. The inclusion of wireless charging caters to users who prefer a cable-free lifestyle, while reverse wireless charging can top up accessories like earbuds.

Buying Guide

Buy the Meizu 21 if you prioritize a clean, minimalist software experience and are comfortable with relying on wired charging. It’s ideal for users who frequently top up their phones throughout the day. Buy the Honor Magic6 RSR Porsche Design if you value all-day battery life, the convenience of wireless charging, and a premium design aesthetic, even if it comes at a higher cost. This phone suits power users and travelers who need reliable performance without constantly seeking an outlet.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Honor Magic6 RSR Porsche Design’s 66W wireless charging work with all Qi-compatible chargers?
While the Honor Magic6 RSR Porsche Design supports the Qi wireless charging standard, optimal charging speeds are achieved with chargers that support the PD3 PPS protocol. Using a standard Qi charger may result in slower charging speeds. It's recommended to use a 66W or higher PD3 PPS-compatible wireless charger for the fastest wireless charging experience.
❓ Given both phones have the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, will I notice a difference in gaming performance?
While both phones share the same chipset, sustained gaming performance will depend on thermal management. The Honor Magic6 RSR Porsche Design’s larger battery *could* provide better thermal headroom, potentially preventing throttling during extended gaming sessions. However, without independent thermal testing, it’s difficult to definitively say which phone will maintain higher frame rates for longer periods.
❓ Is the Porsche Design branding on the Honor Magic6 RSR worth the extra cost?
The Porsche Design branding primarily contributes to the phone’s aesthetic and perceived exclusivity. Functionally, it doesn’t add any performance benefits. Whether it’s worth the premium is subjective and depends on your personal preference for design and brand recognition. You are paying for the design elements and the Porsche association.