vivo NEX 3 vs Honor Magic 2 3D: A Head-to-Head Flagship Battle
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing raw performance and sustained gaming, the vivo NEX 3 emerges as the stronger contender. Its Snapdragon 855+ chipset, while older, generally delivers superior CPU and GPU performance compared to the Kirin 980, and benefits from a more mature software ecosystem. However, the Honor Magic 2 3D’s faster charging is a compelling advantage for those constantly on the go.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | vivo NEX 3 | Honor Magic 2 3D |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 17, 19, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/150 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat21 1400/200 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2019, September. Released 2019, September | 2019, March. Released 2019, March |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame | - |
| Dimensions | 167.4 x 76.1 x 9.4 mm (6.59 x 3.00 x 0.37 in) | 157.3 x 75.1 x 8.3 mm (6.19 x 2.96 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 217.3 g (7.65 oz) | 206 g (7.27 oz) |
| - | Graphene-based heatpipe | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2256 pixels (~363 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.89 inches, 119.3 cm2 (~93.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.39 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, HDR10 | AMOLED |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 485) | Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x1.92 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855+ (7 nm) | Kirin 980 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 640 (700 MHz) | Mali-G76 MP10 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9.1 | Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9 or Magic UI 2 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM |
| UFS 3.0 | UFS 2.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.5, (telephoto), PDAF 13 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide), PDAF | 16 MP, f/1.8, PDAF 16 MP, f/2.2 24 MP B/W, f/1.8 |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@480fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | - | Manual pop-up 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm Manual pop-up TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor) Manual pop-up 2 MP, f/2.4, depth sensor |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | HDR |
| Single | Motorized pop-up 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| 32-bit/192kHz audio | ||
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, aptX HD, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Face ID, fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 44W wired | 40W wired, 50% in 15 min, 85% in 30 min |
| Type | 4500 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 3500 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Gradient Black, Gradient Red, Gradient Blue |
| Models | V1923A, V1923T, 1908_19, 1912 | - |
| Price | About 640 EUR | About 600 EUR |
vivo NEX 3
- Superior CPU and GPU performance with Snapdragon 855+
- More mature and widely supported Android ecosystem
- Clean, notchless waterfall display design
- Potential for thermal throttling under sustained load
- Charging speed slightly slower than Honor Magic 2 3D
Honor Magic 2 3D
- Incredibly fast 40W wired charging
- Unique and eye-catching design
- Potentially more efficient power management with Kirin 980
- Kirin 980 chipset offers lower peak performance
- Honor’s software experience may be less refined
Display Comparison
Both the vivo NEX 3 and Honor Magic 2 3D feature striking waterfall displays, maximizing screen real estate. While specific display specs like resolution and panel type aren't provided, the focus is on the immersive experience. The absence of a notch or punch-hole on the NEX 3 contributes to a cleaner aesthetic. However, the curvature of these displays can lead to accidental touches, a common trade-off for such designs. Color accuracy and peak brightness are likely comparable given the flagship positioning, but the NEX 3’s potentially higher PWM dimming rate could benefit users sensitive to screen flicker.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is challenging. However, both phones were positioned as flagship devices, suggesting high-quality camera systems. The focus should be on image processing algorithms and low-light performance. Honor typically emphasizes AI-powered scene recognition, while vivo often prioritizes natural color reproduction. The absence of information regarding sensor sizes makes it difficult to assess dynamic range and detail capture. It’s reasonable to assume both phones offer versatile camera setups, but the NEX 3’s Snapdragon ISP might provide a slight advantage in image processing speed and quality.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the vivo NEX 3 boasts the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855+ (7nm) versus the Honor Magic 2 3D’s Kirin 980 (7nm). The Snapdragon 855+’s Kryo 485 cores, with a peak clock speed of 2.96 GHz, offer a performance edge over the Kirin 980’s Cortex-A76 cores (2.6 GHz). While both are 7nm chips, Qualcomm’s architecture generally provides better sustained performance and GPU capabilities. The Snapdragon 855+ is known for its Adreno 640 GPU, which will outperform the Kirin 980’s GPU in graphically intensive tasks. Thermal management will be crucial; the Snapdragon 855+ is known to run warm, but the NEX 3’s cooling solution will determine its ability to maintain peak performance during extended gaming sessions.
Battery Life
The Honor Magic 2 3D takes a clear lead in charging speed with its 40W wired charging, capable of reaching 50% in 15 minutes and 85% in 30 minutes. The vivo NEX 3 offers 44W wired charging, which is still fast, but doesn’t match the Magic 2 3D’s rapid replenishment. Battery capacity isn’t specified, but the faster charging of the Magic 2 3D mitigates the impact of a potentially smaller battery. Users who frequently need to quickly top up their phones will significantly benefit from the Honor Magic 2 3D’s charging capabilities.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo NEX 3 if you need a phone capable of handling demanding games and applications with consistent performance, and value a more established Android experience. Buy the Honor Magic 2 3D if you prioritize incredibly fast charging speeds and appreciate a unique, albeit potentially less refined, user interface. Consider the Magic 2 3D if you frequently find yourself needing to top up your battery quickly throughout the day.