Apple iPhone SE (2020) vs Honor Magic 5 Pro
The Verdict
Apple's iPhone SE (2020) delivers impressive performance through the A13 Bionic chip in a compact, affordable package, featuring a 4.7-inch 60Hz LCD display and solid 12MP camera system with 4K video. Honor's Magic 5 Pro commands double the price with flagship specifications, including a 6.81-inch 120Hz LTPO OLED display reaching 1800 nits brightness, Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, 50MP quad-camera setup with 3.5x optical zoom, and a substantial 5100mAh battery supporting 66W fast charging. While the iPhone SE excels at value and portability with its 148g weight and reliable performance for everyday tasks, the Magic 5 Pro caters to users demanding cutting-edge camera capabilities, high refresh rate displays, and premium features. For budget-conscious consumers prioritizing longevity and app compatibility, the SE remains compelling. However, those seeking flagship photography, superior display technology, and advanced features should choose the Magic 5 Pro, despite its premium positioning.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone SE (2020) if…
- →Incredibly affordable at $399 with flagship A13 chip
- →Compact and lightweight design
- →Touch ID home button
Buy the Honor Magic 5 Pro if…
- →Triple 50 MP camera system with excellent 3.5x periscope telephoto
- →Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 delivers flagship performance
- →50W wireless charging is among the fastest available
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone SE (2020)
Pros
- Incredibly affordable at $399 with flagship A13 chip
- Compact and lightweight design
- Touch ID home button
- Wi-Fi 6 support
- Long software support from Apple
Cons
- Tiny 1821 mAh battery with poor endurance
- Dated design with thick bezels
- Single rear camera with no ultrawide
- 750p LCD display
- No 5G support
Honor Magic 5 Pro
Pros
- Triple 50 MP camera system with excellent 3.5x periscope telephoto
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 delivers flagship performance
- 50W wireless charging is among the fastest available
- IP68 water resistance with 5100 mAh battery
- 3D face unlock via ToF sensor is fast and secure
Cons
- Thick and heavy at 219 g and 8.77 mm
- MagicOS software is heavily skinned — not stock Android
- Brand recognition is lower than Samsung or Apple in Western markets
- 66W wired charging is slower than competitors like OnePlus 100W
- Limited global after-sales service network
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone SE (2020) | Honor Magic 5 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 13 | Android 13 (MagicOS 7.1) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 148 g | 219 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, glass back | Aluminum frame, nano-crystal glass back |
| IP rating | IP67 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm | 162.9 x 76.7 x 8.77 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.8, OIS | 50 MP, f/1.6, OIS, Sony IMX906 |
| Front camera | 7 MP, f/2.2 | 12 MP, f/2.4, 3D ToF |
| Video | 4K@60fps | 4K@60fps |
| Telephoto | — | 50 MP, f/3.0, 3.5x optical zoom, OIS |
| Ultrawide | — | 50 MP, f/2.0 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 3 GB | 8 GB / 12 GB |
| Storage options | 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 1821 mAh | 5100 mAh |
| Charging | 18W wired (adapter sold separately) | 66W wired |
| Wireless charging | 7.5W Qi | 50W wireless |
| Display | ||
| Size | 4.7 inches | 6.81 inches |
| Type | Retina IPS LCD | LTPO OLED |
| Resolution | 1334 x 750 | 2848 x 1312 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 625 | 1800 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x2.65 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz + 2x2.8 GHz + 2x2.8 GHz + 3x2.0 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Adreno 740 |
| Chipset | Apple A13 Bionic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | Lightning | USB-C 3.1 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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