vivo iQOO Neo6 SE vs Honor Magic4 Lite: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range 5G Contenders

The mid-range 5G smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the vivo iQOO Neo6 SE and Honor Magic4 Lite represent compelling options for budget-conscious buyers. However, they take distinctly different approaches. The iQOO Neo6 SE prioritizes raw processing power with its Snapdragon 870, while the Honor Magic4 Lite focuses on a balanced experience with a more efficient Snapdragon 695 and a focus on endurance. This comparison will dissect their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing performance and gaming, the vivo iQOO Neo6 SE is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 870 delivers significantly faster processing speeds and a smoother gaming experience. While the Honor Magic4 Lite offers comparable battery life and a decent display, it can't match the iQOO's overall power.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo iQOO Neo6 SE Honor Magic4 Lite
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41LTE
5G bands1, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSASA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1x -
Launch
Announced2022, May 062022, March 23
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, May 11Available. Released 2022, April 26
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic frame, plastic backGlass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions163 x 76.2 x 8.5 mm (6.42 x 3.00 x 0.33 in)166 x 75.8 x 8 mm (6.54 x 2.98 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight190 g (6.70 oz)189 g (6.67 oz)
Display
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~398 ppi density)1080 x 2388 pixels (~385 ppi density)
Size6.62 inches, 105.8 cm2 (~85.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.81 inches, 112.3 cm2 (~89.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 800 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak)IPS LCD, 120Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm)Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 650Adreno 619
OSAndroid 12, OriginOS OceanAndroid 11, Magic UI 4.2
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 3.1-
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, panorama, HDR
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm16 MP, f/2.5
Triple64 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 116˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR-
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm16 MP, f/2.5
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.1, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, BDS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass
Battery
Charging80W wired, 50% in 12 min, 100% in 32 min66W wired
Type4700 mAhLi-Po 4800 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlue, Orange, GradientTitanium Silver, Ocean Blue, Midnight Black
ModelsV2199AANY-LX1, ANY-LX2, ANY-LX3
PriceAbout 290 EURAbout 180 EUR
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 104h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: 1229:1
Loudspeaker- -34.0 LUFS (Poor)
Performance- AnTuTu: 387218 (v9) GeekBench: 1906 (v5.1) GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

vivo iQOO Neo6 SE

  • Significantly faster processor (Snapdragon 870)
  • Faster 80W charging
  • Potentially better gaming performance

  • Battery capacity not specified
  • Display details are limited

Honor Magic4 Lite

  • Excellent 104-hour battery endurance
  • Decent 66W charging
  • Solid display contrast ratio

  • Slower processor (Snapdragon 695)
  • Less capable GPU for gaming

Display Comparison

Both phones feature a 1229:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar visual pop. However, the Honor Magic4 Lite’s measured 535 nits of peak brightness is the only display spec provided, while the iQOO Neo6 SE’s display characteristics are not detailed. Given iQOO’s focus on gaming, it’s reasonable to expect a higher refresh rate and potentially better color accuracy on the Neo6 SE, though this remains unconfirmed. The lack of information on the iQOO’s panel makes a definitive display comparison difficult, but the Magic4 Lite’s brightness is a solid baseline.

Camera Comparison

Both phones are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but specific details are absent. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details, a meaningful camera comparison is impossible. It’s likely both phones offer adequate performance for casual photography, but the iQOO Neo6 SE, positioned as a gaming phone, may prioritize image processing for capturing fast-action shots. The absence of details suggests neither phone is a standout camera performer.

Performance

The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The iQOO Neo6 SE’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Honor Magic4 Lite’s Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm). The 870 features a Kryo 585 core clocked at 3.2 GHz, compared to the 695’s 2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold cores. This translates to a noticeable difference in application launch times, multitasking responsiveness, and gaming performance. The 870’s more powerful GPU will handle graphically demanding games with higher frame rates and settings. While the 6nm process of the 695 offers better efficiency, it doesn’t compensate for the architectural and clock speed advantages of the 870.

Battery Life

The Honor Magic4 Lite boasts an endurance rating of 104 hours, indicating excellent battery life. The iQOO Neo6 SE’s battery capacity is not specified, but it compensates with significantly faster 80W wired charging – achieving 50% charge in 12 minutes and 100% in 32 minutes. The Magic4 Lite’s 66W charging is respectable, but slower. This means the iQOO Neo6 SE can quickly top up its battery, mitigating any potential capacity disadvantage. The 104-hour endurance rating of the Magic4 Lite suggests a larger battery, but the iQOO’s charging speed offers a different kind of convenience.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo iQOO Neo6 SE if you need a phone capable of handling demanding games, multitasking, and resource-intensive applications without slowdown. It's ideal for gamers, content creators, and power users. Buy the Honor Magic4 Lite if you prefer a phone with a focus on all-day battery life and a more streamlined user experience, and your primary use cases are everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light media consumption.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 695 in the Honor Magic4 Lite struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact?
Yes, the Snapdragon 695 is a mid-range chip and will likely require significant graphics settings reductions and may still experience frame drops in graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact. It's better suited for less demanding titles.
❓ How does the 80W charging on the iQOO Neo6 SE compare to typical fast charging standards?
80W charging is exceptionally fast. It's significantly quicker than the 25W or 33W charging commonly found in this price range, allowing you to quickly replenish the battery during short breaks. The iQOO Neo6 SE can reach 100% charge in just 32 minutes.
❓ Is the lack of detailed camera specs on both phones a cause for concern?
Yes, it suggests that neither phone is a primary focus for camera enthusiasts. Expect adequate performance for casual snapshots, but don't anticipate flagship-level image quality or advanced features.
❓ Does the iQOO Neo6 SE have any features specifically geared towards gaming beyond the processor?
While not explicitly stated in the provided specs, iQOO phones often include gaming-centric features like dedicated game modes, optimized touch sampling rates, and improved thermal management. Further research into the Neo6 SE's software features is recommended to confirm these capabilities.