HONOR Magic 7 Lite vs Magic 6 Lite: What’s New & Which to buy?

When it comes to affordable yet powerful smartphones, the HONOR brand has certainly made its mark. Their Magic series continues to push the envelope, offering high-end features at a fraction of the price of flagship devices. This week, HONOR launched the HONOR Magic 7 Lite, a device that may appear quite similar to its predecessor, the HONOR Magic 6 Lite. But does it offer enough improvements to make it the better choice? Let's dive into a detailed comparison of the two devices, highlighting their strengths, weaknesses, and what's new in the Magic 7 Lite.

Design and Build Quality: A Step Forward for the Magic 7 Lite

The HONOR Magic 7 Lite stands out with its refined design, which borrows heavily from the brand’s premium models. The curved front and rear panels, coupled with a large circular camera module, give it a sleek and polished appearance.

Magic 7 Lite Highlights:

  • Premium Look: Available in Titanium Purple and Titanium Black, it looks almost identical to the higher-end Magic series, featuring a refined, high-end design.
  • Water Protection: One of the key differences from the Magic 6 Lite is the addition of IP64 certification on the Magic 7 Lite, providing limited water and dust resistance. While this isn't a high-tier rating (like IP67 or IP68), it’s a nice upgrade for protection against accidental splashes.

The Magic 6 Lite, on the other hand, features a less premium feel, lacking the water resistance of the Magic 7 Lite but still carrying a solid build that feels premium for its price.

Display: A More Vivid Experience with Magic 7 Lite

Both devices feature 6.78-inch AMOLED displays, but the HONOR Magic 7 Lite has a slightly superior screen.

Magic 7 Lite:

  • Resolution: 1.5K (2700 x 1224 px), offering sharper visuals compared to the Magic 6 Lite’s FHD+ (1200 x 2652 px).
  • Brightness: The Magic 7 Lite boasts a 4,000-nit peak brightness, which is ideal for outdoor use and provides a more vibrant display.

Magic 6 Lite:

  • The 6 Lite, while still sporting an AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, falls behind in resolution and brightness.

Verdict: If you want a crisper, brighter display for media consumption or gaming, the Magic 7 Lite wins in this category.

Performance: A Familiar Chipset, But a Bigger Battery in the Magic 7 Lite

Both the HONOR Magic 7 Lite and Magic 6 Lite are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset, paired with 8 GB of RAM. In terms of performance, this makes both devices quite capable of handling day-to-day tasks, multitasking, and even some light gaming.

Magic 7 Lite:

  • Storage: Comes with a massive 512 GB of internal storage, although there’s no expandable memory. This gives you ample space for apps, media, and files.
  • Battery: A significant upgrade here is the 6,600 mAh battery in the Magic 7 Lite, compared to the 5,300 mAh in the Magic 6 Lite. Thanks to silicon-carbon battery technology, the Magic 7 Lite supports 66W fast charging, ensuring that even with a massive battery, you won't be waiting long for a full charge.

Magic 6 Lite:

  • Battery: While the 5,300 mAh battery is decent, it falls short compared to the Magic 7 Lite. The Magic 6 Lite also supports 35W fast charging, which is slower than the Magic 7 Lite’s 66W.

HONOR Magic 7 Lite
Verdict: The Magic 7 Lite clearly takes the lead in battery life and fast charging capabilities, which should appeal to heavy users or those who need a phone that lasts longer on a single charge.

Cameras: Similar Performance, But the Magic 7 Lite Has Enhanced Features

When it comes to cameras, both phones have 108 MP primary sensors, meaning they’re equipped to take high-quality photos. However, there are subtle differences.

Magic 7 Lite:

  • Camera Setup: 108 MP main sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS) for better low-light shots and stability in video recording, paired with a 5 MP ultrawide lens.
  • Front Camera: The 16 MP front camera promises good selfies, but nothing extraordinary.

Magic 6 Lite:

  • The 6 Lite has a 108 MP main sensor, but it lacks OIS. It also has a 5 MP ultrawide and a 2 MP macro lens, which is less useful compared to the Magic 7 Lite’s more refined ultrawide lens.

Verdict: While both phones offer solid camera setups, the Magic 7 Lite benefits from OIS and a more user-friendly secondary camera array, making it the better option for those who want to take sharp, steady photos.

Software and Updates: MagicOS 8.0 and Android 14 in the Magic 7 Lite

The HONOR Magic 7 Lite runs Android 14 with the latest version of MagicOS 8.0, offering a cleaner, smoother experience compared to Magic UI on the Magic 6 Lite, which is based on Android 13.

Verdict: The Magic 7 Lite wins here for offering the latest version of Android and improved software features.

Price and Value: Which One Should You Buy?

  • HONOR Magic 7 Lite: Expected to be priced around £399 in the UK (or similar pricing in Europe). It offers better battery life, faster charging, a sharper display, and a more premium design.
  • HONOR Magic 6 Lite: Typically priced lower, making it an excellent option for budget-conscious buyers who don’t need the latest features.

Buying Guide and Recommendation

Who should buy the HONOR Magic 7 Lite?

  • If you're someone who values long battery life, fast charging, and a better display, the HONOR Magic 7 Lite is the clear winner. With its large battery, faster charging speeds, and better screen, it’s a more future-proof choice if you want a phone that’ll last you longer.

Who should buy the HONOR Magic 6 Lite?

  • If you're on a tighter budget and can live without the cutting-edge features like the huge battery and OIS camera, the HONOR Magic 6 Lite is still a solid option. It provides great value for money with its solid performance, decent cameras, and nice display.

Final Verdict: Is the HONOR Magic 7 Lite Worth the Upgrade?

While both devices are packed with great features, the HONOR Magic 7 Lite offers several notable upgrades that make it the better choice overall—especially if you’re looking for a phone with better battery life, faster charging, and a more premium build quality. However, if you're on a budget and don't mind missing out on some of the newer features, the Magic 6 Lite still holds its ground as a solid choice in the mid-range segment.

Ultimately, the Magic 7 Lite is the device to go for if you want a more complete, feature-packed experience, while the Magic 6 Lite remains a great choice for those looking to save a bit of money without compromising too much on performance. 

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