1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G | Honor Magic6 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 159.8 × 74.5 × 8.4 mm | 162.5 × 75.8 × 8.9 mm | S20 FE 5G is more compact and easier to handle, especially for one-handed use. Magic6 Pro is larger, potentially harder to reach all areas of the screen. |
| Weight | 190g | 225g | S20 FE 5G is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and less tiring to hold. |
| Build Quality (Screen Protection) | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Unknown | S20 FE 5G has known scratch resistance. The lack of information on the Magic6 Pro's screen protection is a concern. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G | Honor Magic6 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.5" | 6.8" | Magic6 Pro offers a more immersive viewing experience for multimedia and gaming, but makes it harder to use one-handed. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1280x2800 | Magic6 Pro has a sharper and more detailed display. Text and images will appear clearer. |
| PPI | 407 | 453 | Magic6 Pro's higher pixel density contributes to sharper visuals. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. The difference is negligible in most cases. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 0 nits | S20 FE 5G is much brighter, improving outdoor visibility in direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G | Honor Magic6 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+) | Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Magic6 Pro has a much newer and more powerful chipset. It will handle demanding tasks and games with ease and be more future-proof. |
| AnTuTu Score | 623,000 | 2,069,877 | Magic6 Pro offers significantly faster performance, smoother multitasking, and better gaming capabilities. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 (ARM Mali-G77 MP11) | Adreno 750 (Adreno 750) | Magic6 Pro's GPU is significantly more powerful, offering better graphics performance for gaming and other demanding applications. |
| RAM | 6 GB or 8 GB | 12 GB or 16 GB | Magic6 Pro handles more applications simultaneously without slowdowns, better for multitasking and demanding games. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G | Honor Magic6 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76" | 50MP, f/1.4, 1/1.3" | Magic6 Pro has a higher resolution and larger sensor, resulting in better image quality, especially in low light. |
| Telephoto | 8MP, f/2.0 | 180MP, f/2.6 (Telephoto + Portrait) | Honor Magic6 Pro has the better Telephoto lens due to the dramatically larger sensor. |
| Ultrawide | 12MP, f/2.2 | 50MP, f/2.0 (Wide Angle + Macro) | Honor Magic6 Pro has the better ultrawide lens due to the dramatically larger sensor. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" | 50MP, f/2.0, 1/2.51" | Magic6 Pro's selfie camera captures more detail and performs better in low light. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@60fps with EIS | Up to 4K@60fps with HDR, OIS, EIS | Magic6 Pro offers enhanced video quality with HDR and superior stabilization. |
| DxOMark (Mobile) | N/A | 158 | Magic6 Pro has a DxOMark score of 158, while the S20 FE 5G does not have a score. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G | Honor Magic6 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5600mAh | Magic6 Pro offers significantly longer battery life. |
| Charging Speed | 25W | 80W | Magic6 Pro charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Wireless Charging | 15W | 66W | Magic6 Pro provides faster and more convenient wireless charging. |
| Reverse Wireless Charging | 4.5W | 7.5W | Both phones are able to reverse wireless charge other devices. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: Easier to handle and pocket.
- Brighter Display: Better outdoor visibility.
- Dolby Atmos: Better audio experience.
- Known Screen Protection: Comes with Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Honor Magic6 Pro Advantages:
- Significantly More Powerful Processor: Faster performance for demanding tasks and gaming.
- Larger and Higher Resolution Display: More immersive viewing experience with sharper details.
- Superior Camera System: Better image and video quality with more features.
- Larger Battery and Faster Charging: Longer battery life and quicker charging times.
- More RAM: Smoother multitasking.
- Newer Software: Comes with a more up-to-date version of Android.
- More Modern Connectivity: Supports Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3 for faster and more reliable connections.
Trade-offs:
- S20 FE 5G is older and offers lower performance.
- Magic6 Pro is larger and heavier.
- Magic6 Pro has unknown screen protection.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who prioritize portability and good outdoor visibility.
- Use Cases: Everyday tasks, casual gaming, users who prefer a lighter phone.
Honor Magic6 Pro:
- Ideal User: Power users who demand the best performance, camera capabilities, and battery life.
- Use Cases: Gaming, photography, videography, multitasking, professionals who rely on their phone for work.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is your budget? The S20 FE 5G will likely be much cheaper.
- How important is performance? The Magic6 Pro offers a huge performance advantage.
- Do you prioritize battery life and camera quality? The Magic6 Pro excels in both areas.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- If you need a reliable phone for basic tasks and value portability: The S20 FE 5G is a decent choice.
- If you want a flagship-level experience with top-tier performance and camera capabilities: The Honor Magic6 Pro is the better option.
- If you frequently use your phone outdoors in bright sunlight: The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G has the brighter display.
Which phone would I choose?
I would choose the Honor Magic6 Pro.
While the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G has some merits like its brighter display and lighter weight, the Honor Magic6 Pro offers a vastly superior experience in almost every other aspect. The significantly more powerful processor, larger and higher-resolution display, superior camera system, larger battery with faster charging, and modern connectivity options make it a much more compelling choice. While the unknown screen protection is a concern, the overall package and the future-proof nature of the Magic6 Pro outweigh this risk for my personal use case. I heavily rely on my smartphone for demanding tasks, photography, and extended use throughout the day, making the Magic6 Pro the clear winner.
