Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Motorola Edge (2022) and the Honor Magic6 Pro. I’ve got my engineering hat on, and I’m ready to break down what these specs mean for you, the user.
1. Specifications Breakdown
First, let’s organize these specs into something more digestible. Here's a detailed table comparing key features with a focus on their real-world implications:
| Feature | Motorola Edge (2022) | Honor Magic6 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.9 × 74.2 × 8 mm | 162.5 × 75.8 × 8.9 mm | The Magic6 Pro is slightly larger and thicker, making the Edge (2022) feel more pocketable and easier to manage in one hand. |
| Weight | 170g | 225g | The Edge (2022) is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Build Quality (Screen Protection) | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Unknown | The Edge (2022) is built with reliable protection compared to unknown protection on Honor Magic6 Pro. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.8" | Magic6 Pro offers a slightly more immersive viewing experience with its larger screen. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1280x2800 | Magic6 Pro's higher resolution offers a sharper, more detailed display, perfect for high-resolution content. |
| PPI | 399 | 453 | Magic6 Pro has higher pixel density, resulting in noticeably sharper text and images. |
| Technology | OLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 144Hz | 120Hz | Edge (2022) has smoother scrolling, but the difference is subtle for most users. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones are the same on peak brightness. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | MediaTek Dimensity 1050 (6 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Magic6 Pro offers significantly faster processing for apps, gaming, and multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 522,375 | 2,069,877 | Magic6 Pro is far more powerful, capable of handling demanding tasks and future-proofing the device. |
| GPU | Arm Mali-G610 MC3 | Adreno 750 | Magic6 Pro has a much more powerful GPU that provides better gaming experience and performance |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP f/1.8, 1/1.55" sensor | 50MP f/1.4, 1/1.3" sensor | Magic6 Pro's wider aperture and larger sensor captures more light, potentially better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | N/A | 180MP f/2.6 | Magic6 Pro features a dedicated telephoto lens for superior zoom and portrait photography. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP f/2.45 | 50MP f/2.0, 1/2.51" sensor | Magic6 Pro's selfie cam should capture more detailed and brighter images, especially in low light, with the wider aperture. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP, f/1.5 | N/A | Edge 2022 has a wide-angle lens for more versatile shots. |
| Macro Lens | 20MP f/2.4, 1/2.83" sensor | N/A | Edge 2022 features a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography |
| Wide Angle + Macro | N/A | 50MP f/2.0, 1/2.88" sensor | Magic6 Pro has a Wide angle + Macro camera combo. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | Up to 4K@60fps with HDR, OIS, EIS | Magic6 Pro provides a higher quality video experience with more options such as HDR, OIS and higher frame rates |
| DXoMark | N/A | Mobile: 158, Selfie: 151 | Magic6 Pro has strong camera performance, according to DXoMark ratings. |
| Features | Basic set of features | Additional features like RAW, Night mode, Laser AF and etc | Magic6 Pro comes with more advanced photography features. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5600mAh | Magic6 Pro has a larger battery for longer usage between charges. |
| Charging | 30W | 80W | Magic6 Pro charges significantly faster. |
| Wireless Charging | 15W | 66W | Magic6 Pro has much faster wireless charging capabilities. |
| Features | 5W reverse charging | 7.5W reverse wireless charging, E1 power efficiency chip | Magic6 Pro offers more efficient wireless charging and more advanced power management capabilities. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 (Upgradable to 13) | Android 14 (Upgradable to 18) | Magic6 Pro is newer with the latest software, providing the newest features and security enhancements. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | Magic6 Pro supports faster Wi-Fi speeds. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 | Magic6 Pro features more modern Bluetooth, enabling higher quality audio and better connectivity with more modern audio gear. |
| GPS | Basic GPS | GPS with more satellite bands | Magic6 Pro has better accuracy due to additional satellite bands. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256GB | 256/512/1024GB | Magic6 Pro provides much more storage options, great for power users and those who keep a lot of media on their device. |
| RAM | 6/8GB | 12/16GB | Magic6 Pro has more RAM, allowing for smoother multitasking and quicker app switching. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither device supports external storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation microphone | DTS / DTS X | Motorola Edge offers a slight edge in audio clarity and spatial sound. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Fingerprint sensor | Basic Fingerprint sensor | Both provide basic fingerprint-based security. |
| Sensors | Magnetometer | Gravity | Motorola offers a magnetometer, while Honor features a gravity sensor |
2. Key Insights
Motorola Edge (2022) Strengths:
- Lightweight and Compact: The Edge (2022)'s lighter and more compact design makes it easier to handle and carry around.
- Smoother Display: With its 144Hz refresh rate, it offers slightly smoother animations.
- Audio Features: Features Dolby Atmos, a noise-canceling microphone, and three mics for high quality audio.
- More Affordable: Generally, the Edge (2022) is the more budget-friendly option.
Honor Magic6 Pro Strengths:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset provides much higher processing power for heavy tasks and gaming.
- Sharper Display: The higher resolution and pixel density results in a crisper visual experience.
- Advanced Camera: Features a larger sensor, wider aperture, dedicated telephoto lens, and more advanced features.
- Better Battery: Larger battery capacity with much faster wired and wireless charging.
- Up-to-date Software: Ships with a more modern operating system with more upgrades to come.
- Better Connectivity: Features newer Wifi and Bluetooth standards.
- More Storage: Provides up to 1 TB of storage compared to Motorola Edge's 256 GB.
Trade-offs and Limitations:
- Motorola Edge (2022): Less powerful, less advanced camera, older software, no expandable storage.
- Honor Magic6 Pro: Heavier, larger and more expensive, no external storage.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Motorola Edge (2022) is best for:
- Everyday Users: People who want a lightweight, capable smartphone for daily tasks, media consumption, and light gaming, who prefer not to spend more on high end smartphones.
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Those looking for a phone with a good display, smooth experience, and decent performance at an affordable price point.
- Users Who Value Audio: Those who enjoy quality audio for music, videos, or calls.
Honor Magic6 Pro is best for:
- Power Users: Individuals who demand top-tier performance for gaming, video editing, and other demanding applications.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those seeking a phone with an exceptional camera system capable of capturing high-quality photos and videos.
- Multi-taskers: Those who need a phone that can handle multiple apps and complex tasks without breaking a sweat.
- Future-Proofing: Users looking for a device with the latest technology and software, that will last them the next couple of years.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- What’s Your Budget? The Edge (2022) is more affordable, but the Magic6 Pro justifies the extra cost with its premium features.
- What's Your Primary Use? If it's casual use, media, and audio, the Edge (2022) is more than capable. But for heavy tasks, games, and high quality photos, the Magic6 Pro is a must.
- Do You Need the Latest Tech? If you prioritize cutting-edge performance, software, and camera features, the Magic6 Pro is the obvious choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Student/Casual User: If you primarily use your phone for browsing, social media, and media consumption, with a bit of light gaming, the Motorola Edge (2022) is the more practical option.
- Scenario 2: Photographer/Content Creator: If you need a versatile and powerful camera system with excellent zoom capabilities, the Honor Magic6 Pro is the clear winner.
- Scenario 3: Power Gamer/Multitasker: If you're a gamer or need to run many apps simultaneously, the Honor Magic6 Pro is the only choice with its raw power and abundant RAM.
My Choice
If it were me making the choice, I would go with the Honor Magic6 Pro. As a tech journalist and someone who appreciates cutting edge technology, the performance and camera benefits would be worth the premium cost. I also value the better battery life, faster charging, and more modern software. While the Motorola Edge (2022) is a solid phone for the budget-conscious user, the Magic6 Pro offers an overall superior experience for power users.
