Xiaomi 14 vs Honor Magic6 Pro: A Deep Dive into Flagship Performance and Display Prowess

The Xiaomi 14 and Honor Magic6 Pro represent the cutting edge of Android flagship technology, both powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. However, they diverge in key areas like display brightness, battery endurance, and charging speeds, creating a compelling choice for discerning buyers. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device best suits your priorities.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Honor Magic6 Pro emerges as the superior choice. Its significantly brighter display (1578 nits vs 1175 nits) and slightly longer battery life (14:06h vs 13:56h) provide a more compelling user experience, despite the similar core performance.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi 14 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 bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66 - InternationalLTE
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA - InternationalSA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2023, October 262024, January 11
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, November 01Available. Released 2024, January 18
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back or silicone polymer back, aluminum frameGlass front (NanoCrystal Shield), glass back or silicone polymer back (eco leather)
Dimensions152.8 x 71.5 x 8.2 mm or 8.3 mm162.5 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm (6.40 x 2.98 x 0.35 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight188 g or 193 g (6.63 oz)225 g or 229 g (7.94 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass VictusNanoCrystal Shield
Resolution1200 x 2670 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~460 ppi density)1280 x 2800 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~453 ppi density)
Size6.36 inches, 97.6 cm2 (~89.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.8 inches, 112.8 cm2 (~91.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO OLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 1000 nits (typ), 3000 nits (peak)LTPO OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR, 1600 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 14, upgradable to Android 15, up to 4 major Android upgrades, HyperOS 1.1Android 14, up to 4 major Android upgrades, MagicOS 8
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Leica lens, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple50 MP, f/1.6, 23mm (wide), 1/1.31", 1.2µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.0, 75mm (telephoto), PDAF (10cm - ∞), OIS, 3.2x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 115˚ (ultrawide)50 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
Video8K@24fps (HDR), 4K@24/30/60fps (HDR10+, 10-bit Dolby Vision HDR, 10-bit LOG), 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps, 720p@1920fps, gyro-EIS4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS, OIS, HDR, 10-bit video
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panorama-
Single32 MP, f/2.0, 22mm (wide), 0.7µm50 MP, f/2.0, 22mm (wide), 1/2.93", 0.6µm, 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, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, LHDC5.3, 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 3.2, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2, DisplayPort 1.2, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/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, proximity, gyro, compass, barometerFingerprint (under display, optical), Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging90W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 31 min 50W wireless, 100% in 46 min 10W reverse wireless80W wired 66W wireless Reverse wireless 5W reverse wired
TypeLi-Po 4610 mAhSi/C Li-Ion 5600 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, Jade Green, PinkBlack, Green, Blue, Purple, White
Models23127PN0CC, 23127PN0CGBVL-AN16, BVL-N49
Price€ 527.07 / $ 342.37 / ₹ 59,999€ 455.54 / $ 899.00 / £ 598.99
SAR EU1.00 W/kg (head)     0.99 W/kg (body)-

Xiaomi 14

  • Faster 90W wired charging
  • Potentially more compact design
  • Established Xiaomi ecosystem

  • Lower peak display brightness
  • Slightly shorter battery life
  • Slower wireless charging

Honor Magic6 Pro

  • Significantly brighter display (1578 nits)
  • Longer battery life (14:06h)
  • Faster 66W wireless charging

  • Slower 80W wired charging
  • Potentially larger and heavier
  • Honor's software experience may not appeal to all

Display Comparison

The Honor Magic6 Pro boasts a substantial advantage in display brightness, reaching a measured 1578 nits compared to the Xiaomi 14’s 1175 nits. This difference is immediately noticeable in direct sunlight, making the Magic6 Pro far more readable outdoors. While both utilize high-quality panels, the higher peak brightness of the Honor device translates to a more vibrant and usable experience in challenging lighting conditions. Details regarding panel technology (LTPO) and color accuracy are not provided, but both are expected to deliver excellent visual fidelity given their flagship status.

Camera Comparison

Context data does not provide sufficient detail for a comprehensive camera comparison. However, given the flagship positioning of both devices, it’s reasonable to expect high-quality camera systems. The absence of sensor size or aperture information prevents a definitive assessment. The focus should be on image processing algorithms and software features, which are brand-specific. The presence of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) is assumed on the main sensors of both phones, crucial for sharp images and stable video recording. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is likely a marketing feature with limited practical utility.

Performance

Both the Xiaomi 14 and Honor Magic6 Pro are equipped with the Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) chipset, featuring an octa-core CPU configuration identical in clock speeds (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 virtually indistinguishable between the two. Performance will likely be limited by thermal management and software optimization, areas where Honor has historically excelled. Both devices likely utilize LPDDR5x RAM, further minimizing performance bottlenecks. The 4nm fabrication process ensures efficient power consumption, mitigating potential throttling during extended gaming sessions.

Battery Life

The Honor Magic6 Pro edges out the Xiaomi 14 in battery endurance, achieving an active use score of 14:06h versus 13:56h. While the difference is relatively small, it suggests more efficient power management or a slightly larger battery capacity within the Magic6 Pro. Charging speeds are a key differentiator: the Xiaomi 14 supports 90W wired charging, achieving a full charge in 31 minutes, while the Honor Magic6 Pro is limited to 80W. However, the Magic6 Pro compensates with significantly faster 66W wireless charging (vs 50W on the Xiaomi 14), and both offer reverse wireless charging, albeit at different wattages (10W vs 5W).

Buying Guide

Buy the Xiaomi 14 if you prioritize a more compact form factor and faster wired charging (90W vs 80W). It’s ideal for users who frequently top up their phones throughout the day and value portability. Buy the Honor Magic6 Pro if you prioritize a stunningly bright display for outdoor visibility, longer sustained battery life, and faster wireless charging (66W vs 50W). This phone is geared towards power users and media consumers.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in either phone exhibit thermal throttling during prolonged gaming sessions?
While both phones utilize the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, thermal throttling will depend on the effectiveness of their cooling systems. Honor has a history of prioritizing thermal management, potentially giving the Magic6 Pro an edge in sustained performance. Independent testing is required to confirm real-world throttling behavior.
❓ What is the practical benefit of the higher peak brightness on the Honor Magic6 Pro?
The 1578 nits peak brightness of the Honor Magic6 Pro makes a significant difference in direct sunlight. The screen remains easily readable, preserving color accuracy and contrast, unlike the Xiaomi 14 which may appear washed out in bright conditions. This is particularly beneficial for outdoor photography and video viewing.
❓ How does the 5W reverse wired charging on the Honor Magic6 Pro compare to the 10W on the Xiaomi 14?
While both offer reverse wired charging, the Xiaomi 14's 10W output is noticeably faster than the Honor Magic6 Pro's 5W. This means the Xiaomi 14 can top up smaller devices like earbuds or smartwatches more quickly, though neither is a substitute for a dedicated charger.
❓ Are there any significant software differences between Xiaomi's MIUI and Honor's MagicOS?
Yes. MIUI is known for its extensive customization options, while MagicOS aims for a cleaner, more streamlined experience. User preference is key here; some may appreciate MIUI's flexibility, while others prefer MagicOS's simplicity. Both are based on Android.