When comparing the latest foldable devices from Honor and Xiaomi, namely the Honor Magic V3 and Xiaomi Mix Fold 4, both stand out as innovative pieces of technology that push the boundaries of what foldable phones can achieve. While they share many similarities, such as high-end specifications and cutting-edge features, there are key differences that might sway consumers one way or the other.
Let’s dive into a detailed comparison, examining their designs, displays, performance, cameras, battery, and pricing to help you decide which one could be the better choice.
1. Design and Build Quality
Both the Honor Magic V3 and Xiaomi Mix Fold 4 have managed to reduce the bulk that typically comes with foldable phones. The Honor Magic V3 measures 9.2mm (leather version) and 9.3mm (glass version) in thickness when folded, while the Xiaomi Mix Fold 4 is 9.47mm thick when folded. When unfolded, the Xiaomi device measures just 4.59mm, making it slightly thinner than the 4.35-4.4mm thickness of the Honor Magic V3.
In terms of weight, the Honor Magic V3 weighs 226 grams (230 grams for the glass version), and the Xiaomi Mix Fold 4 is in a similar range at 226 grams (228 grams for the fiber edition).
Both companies have prioritized making their foldables lighter, with Xiaomi using carbon fiber materials for added durability and weight reduction, while Honor features a 7-series aluminum alloy frame for strength. Both devices also have an IPX8 water resistance rating for added durability in wet conditions.
2. Display
Both foldable devices are equipped with advanced display technologies that are tailored for premium viewing experiences, but the approaches differ slightly. The Honor Magic V3 comes with a 7.92-inch FHD+ OLED main display (2344 x 2156 pixels) with up to 5000 nits of peak brightness, Dolby Vision support, and a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. The external screen measures 6.43 inches, with the same refresh rate and brightness specs, making the Honor Magic V3 a powerhouse for both internal and external viewing.
In comparison, the Xiaomi Mix Fold 4 features a larger 7.98-inch 2K+ Samsung E7 LTPO panel on the inside, with a 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate and up to 3000 nits of peak brightness. The outer screen is 6.56 inches and uses TCL C8+ technology with a 120Hz refresh rate as well. Xiaomi’s Pol-less Plus technology for the inner display also enhances brightness and color accuracy while reducing power consumption, ensuring an optimal experience whether the phone is unfolded or folded.
Honor’s focus on reducing eye strain with 4,320Hz PWM dimming and TÜV Rheinland certification may appeal to users who prioritize eye protection, while Xiaomi’s Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support make the Mix Fold 4 a great choice for media consumption, offering crisp visuals and impressive brightness.
3. Performance and Hardware
Both devices are powered by the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, making them extremely powerful and capable of handling demanding tasks such as multitasking, gaming, and productivity apps. However, the cooling systems differ between the two devices.
Honor incorporates the Honor Cicada Wing Pure Titanium Cooling VC, which is designed for efficient thermal management, while Xiaomi uses a more advanced 3D cooling system with a large 11,912mm² vapor chamber to ensure sustained performance during intensive tasks like gaming.
In terms of memory and storage, both phones offer configurations of 12GB or 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB of UFS 4.0 storage. This ensures smooth operation and plenty of storage space for apps, games, and media files.
4. Camera
When it comes to camera systems, the Honor Magic V3 focuses on versatility with its triple camera setup on the rear, including a 50MP main sensor, a 50MP periscope telephoto lens with 3.5x optical zoom (100x digital zoom), and a 40MP ultrawide camera. For selfies, Honor includes a 20MP front camera on both the internal and external displays, along with AI image beautification enhancements.
The Xiaomi Mix Fold 4, meanwhile, partners with Leica to offer a 50MP primary sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide camera, and a 50MP telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom and macro capabilities. It also features a 10MP Samsung S5K3K1 periscope lens with 5x optical zoom for long-distance shots. The Leica partnership emphasizes color accuracy and detail retention, particularly in high-contrast scenarios, making the Xiaomi Mix Fold 4 a top contender for those who care about photography.
Both phones offer 4K video recording and advanced AI features, but Xiaomi’s Leica Summilux lens and specialized telephoto lenses give it an edge for those who want the best photography experience.
5. Battery and Charging
Battery life is another crucial factor in foldable phones, and both Honor and Xiaomi have made strides to ensure their devices are capable of all-day usage. The Honor Magic V3 packs a 5,150mAh battery with support for 66W wired SuperCharge and 50W wireless charging.
This is comparable to the 5,100mAh silicon-carbon battery in the Xiaomi Mix Fold 4, which supports 67W wired charging and 50W wireless charging. Both phones can reach a full charge relatively quickly, but the Xiaomi Mix Fold 4 has an advantage in wired charging speed, promising a full charge in just 52 minutes.
6. Software
On the software front, both foldables run on Android 14 with their own custom skins. The Honor Magic V3 runs on MagicOS 8.0.1, while Xiaomi debuts its HyperOS AI. Each OS provides a user-friendly experience with a focus on multitasking and foldable-specific features such as multi-window support and seamless app transitions between the internal and external displays.
Xiaomi’s “Travel Assistant” feature and two-way satellite communication add extra utility for frequent travelers, while Honor’s focus on AI defocus eye protection might appeal to users concerned about their vision during prolonged usage.
7. Pricing and Availability
The Honor Magic V3 and Xiaomi Mix Fold 4 are similarly priced, starting at 8,999 yuan ($1,264) for the base models. Both offer higher-end versions with 16GB RAM and 1TB storage, priced at 10,999 yuan ($1,546).
8. Conclusion
The Honor Magic V3 and Xiaomi Mix Fold 4 both stand out as premium foldable phones that cater to different user needs. The Honor Magic V3 shines with its eye-friendly displays, water resistance, and powerful camera setup, while Xiaomi’s Mix Fold 4 brings Leica-backed camera performance, carbon fiber durability, and a slightly better charging solution.
Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on what features matter most to you.
