vivo X90 vs Honor Magic5: A Detailed Comparison

The vivo X90 and Honor Magic5 are two of the most compelling flagship smartphones of the year, boasting impressive specs and features. But which one offers the best overall experience? This in-depth comparison will break down every aspect, from display and performance to camera and battery life, to help you make an informed decision.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Honor Magic5 takes the crown thanks to its superior Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, slightly better overall camera performance, and more refined software experience. While the vivo X90’s 120W charging is a standout, the Magic5’s balance of power, camera, and software makes it the more compelling choice.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo X90 Honor Magic5
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, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - International1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - China
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - ChinaCDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2022, November 222023, February 27
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, November 30Available. Released 2023, March 31
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back or eco leather backGlass front, glass back or eco leather back
Dimensions164.1 x 74.4 x 8.5 mm or 8.9 mm161.4 x 75.5 x 7.8 mm (6.35 x 2.97 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight196 g / 200 g (6.91 oz)191 g (6.74 oz)
 IP64 dust/water resistant-
Display
Resolution1260 x 2800 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~452 ppi density)1224 x 2688 pixels (~439 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 111.5 cm2 (~91.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.73 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~90.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1600 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.05 GHz Cortex-X3 & 3x2.85 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 9200 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUImmortalis-G715 MC11Adreno 740
OSAndroid 13, Funtouch 13 (Global), OriginOS 3 (China)Android 13, MagicOS 7.1
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM
 UFS 4.0 - 256/512GB UFS 3.1 - 128GBUFS
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Zeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, Pixel Shift, dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaColor spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single32 MP, f/2.5, 24mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm12 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide), 1.22µm
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.49", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.0, 50mm (telephoto), 1/2.93", 1.22µm, AF, 2x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.0, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/2.93", 1.22µm, AF54 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.49", PDAF 32 MP, f/2.4, (telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 2.5x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.0, 13mm, 122˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.5", AF
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10, 10-bit video
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single32 MP, f/2.5, 24mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm12 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide), 1.22µm
Video1080p@30/60fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio24-bit audio stereo recording
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, NavICGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a)
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/6/7, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging120W wired, 50% in 8 min Reverse wired66W wired 5W reverse wired
Type4810 mAhLi-Po 5100 mAh
Misc
ColorsAsteroid Black, Breeze Blue, RedBlack, Glacier Blue, Green, Purple, Orange
ModelsV2241APGT-AN00, PGT-N09
PriceAbout 300 EURAbout 900 EUR

vivo X90

  • Incredibly fast 120W charging
  • Vibrant and smooth display
  • Excellent portrait mode camera
  • Stylish design

  • Dimensity 9200 performance slightly behind Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
  • Software experience could be more refined
  • Camera consistency not always as good as Magic5

Honor Magic5

  • Top-tier Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 performance
  • Versatile and consistent camera system
  • Longer battery life
  • Polished and feature-rich software

  • Slower charging compared to vivo X90
  • Design might not appeal to everyone
  • Reverse wired charging is slower

Display Comparison

Both phones feature excellent OLED displays with high refresh rates (120Hz). The Magic5's display is slightly brighter and arguably more color-accurate, offering a marginally better viewing experience. The X90's display is still fantastic, though, with vibrant colors and smooth scrolling.

Camera Comparison

Both phones have impressive camera systems. The Magic5 generally produces more consistent and natural-looking images, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The X90 excels in portrait mode with its signature bokeh effect. Video recording is excellent on both, with the Magic5 offering slightly better stabilization.

Performance

The Honor Magic5's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 provides a noticeable performance edge over the vivo X90's Dimensity 9200. While both phones handle demanding tasks with ease, the Magic5 exhibits smoother multitasking and slightly faster gaming performance. The Snapdragon's efficiency also contributes to better thermal management.

Battery Life

The vivo X90's 120W charging is a game-changer, allowing for incredibly fast charging times. However, the Honor Magic5's larger battery capacity provides slightly longer battery life under typical usage. While the Magic5's charging is slower (66W), it still offers respectable charging speeds.

Buying Guide

The vivo X90 is ideal for users prioritizing incredibly fast charging and a vibrant display. The Honor Magic5 is best suited for those seeking top-tier performance, a versatile camera system, and a polished user experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The Honor Magic5, thanks to its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, generally offers slightly better and more consistent gaming performance.
❓ Is the vivo X90's 120W charging worth it?
Absolutely! It's incredibly convenient for quickly topping up your battery, especially if you're short on time.
❓ Which phone has a better software experience?
The Honor Magic5 generally has a more refined and feature-rich software experience, although both phones offer a smooth and responsive user interface.
❓ Which phone is more durable?
The Honor Magic5 is rumored to have better drop resistance due to its construction, but independent testing is needed to confirm.