Honor Magic 5 Lite test: the screen that hides the forest

• Presentation and unboxing:
It is a classic white box with the name of the phone in silver letters.

[Testeursosh] Honor Magic 5 Lite test by @lesnox

For a month now I have been using the Honor Magic 5 Lite loaned by Sosh.
While it is worth ? Is Honor Magic 5 Lite a good value for money ? And what are its assets and faults ?
We will try to answer this in the rest of the article.

• Presentation and unboxing:
It is a classic white box with the name of the phone in silver letters.

On the turn the recall of the name of the phone as well as its manufacturer and the labels with the serial number and the IMEI numbers.

Once open, we arrive on the phone that is wrapped in a protective bag, there is a white cardboard pocket that contains the SIM card as well as the quick start of the phone and finally a USB cable- C and that’s it !
Honor does not deliver a charger with this phone but it is in tune with the times !
You will therefore have to reuse an old charger or buy a.
The Honor Magic 5 Lite is compatible with 40W fast recharging, it is very appreciable to have the battery fairly quickly.

I offer you a video of aboxing of this Honor Magic 5 Lite:

To finish this presentation, once the start is made Honor offers the Device Clone application which allows you to copy all your data from your old phone, whether in Android or iOS.
The data transfer time depends on the amount of data you have on the smartphone.

• Technical characteristics :
This mobile is positioned at the top of the entry level.

It is found with a “catalog” price of € 379 with 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of flash storage only. In fact it is found at € 329 in a promotion period.

So here are the main characteristics:

• Android 12 with the Magic Ui 6 overlay.1.
• A 6.67 -inch AMOLED screen, a dynamic display frequency up to 120 Hz and a Full HD definition (2400 x 1080 px) .

• A 5100 mAh battery .
• 5G compatibility (but I could not test the operation).
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 695: Two Arm Cortex-A78 (2.3GHz), six Cortex-A55 (1.8GHz).
• Ultra-Clair Main Main Photo Sensor 64 MPX (F/1.8), Ultra wide angle photo sensor of 5 mpx (f/2.2) and 2 MP macro photo sensor (f/2.4) .
• 16 Mpx -before photo sensor (f/2.45) .

We also find the classics: USB-C, NFC, Bluetooth 5 port.1, wifi 5 .

The Honor Magic 5 Lite is taken fairly well in hand despite its curved screen, a very smooth back which quickly takes the fingerprints in its black version .
The green version, it is not subject to this concern for fingerprints because it has a matte surface.

Photo sensors are in a large fine circle which is reminiscent of the layout of the sensors of the Honor Magic 5 Pro.
It is sometimes difficult to select the information on the curved edges of the smartphone.
In this regard, Honor has also added a detection function to prevent unwanted contact on the screen and it works well. Indeed on my Honor Magic 4 Pro, he tended to leave certain applications, because I could touch with my other hand another area of ​​the phone without wanting to. Finally, it has a total mass of 175 g, it is really light and is quickly forgotten in a jeans pocket.

• This is how to use ?
I will start with its superb AMOLED screen which allows you to display a dynamic refresh frequency up to 120Hz depending on what you are doing.
The screen is really bright, whether in direct sunlight or at night . It is also comfortable to watch videos, although the sound is only in mono on the bottom of the phone, which can be problematic when looking at a film in landscape orientation and put your hands on the lower edge of the phone. At this moment there is no longer a sound that comes out.
The fingerprint sensor under the screen is fast for use .
The interface of Magic Ui 6 is really nice, it takes care of the gestures and is personalized thanks to the preinstalled themes application.

This smartphone is compatible with Honor Connect, which allows if you have a laptop or a Honor tablet to easily share its files as proposed mobile connected from Windows.
But Honor Connect also allows you to benefit from the screen copy on the screen of the PC or the tablet.
It is thus possible to use your smartphone on your computer or tablet without having to touch it !

The Honor Magic 5 Lite screen contains reinforced glass of 0.65 mm.

• And the photo / video in all of this ?
Photo is generally one of the very good points of Honor smartphones, when it is for this Magic 5 Lite ?

The Honor Magic 5 Lite has 3 photo sensors on the back and a facial sensor:

• Main photo sensor of 64 Mpx (f/1.8).
• Ultra wide angle photo sensor of 5 mpx (f/2.2).
• 2 mpx macro photo sensor (f/2.4).
• 16 Mpx -before photo sensor (f/2.45).

I was disappointed by the photo part which cannot easily take beautiful photos !
Indeed, the colors are far too lively and too far from reality !
I will let you judge by yourself in photos that I could take with my trip to Tunisia.

Honor Magic 5 Lite test: the screen that hides the forest ?

The design of smartphones has progressed impressively in the last decade, an observation which applies to the Magic 5 Lite.

The adjustments are impeccable, the careful finish, The materials used qualitative, even the plastic back gives a good feeling. A Special mention returns to the big curved screen which marries the borders as is the case on certain premium models much more expensive.

With its 73.9 mm wide, The phone holds in hand, A sensation reinforced by its rather light weight of 175 grams and its thickness of 7.9 millimeters. The control keys are grouped together on the right edge and fall just at the thumb level. We also find the main speaker, a USB-C port and the Double SIM drawer on the lower edge.

The circular photo module brings a “futuristic” touch, even if we would have preferred more discreet integration. In the end, the only real regret has just The lack of protection against water and dust, a characteristic that we find for example in Samsung on the Galaxy A34 and A54. Some will also regret The lack of a microSD location, Honor, however, was rather generous by proposing 128 GB space on the most affordable variant and 256 GB adding a few euros.

Screen: a treat for pupils

Honor had the very good idea to join a slab Amoled On his Magic 5 Lite. It must be said that most competitors also opted for this display technology, so it was difficult to do otherwise. Only, all Amoled screens are not equal, some lack light, others do anything with the colors, in short it is a bit of the jungle, when it is this of this one ?

Even if it means comparing it, you might as well do it with one of the best, in this case the Samsung Galaxy S23 and that even if it is positioned on the upper segment.

Galaxy S23 vs Magic 5 Lite

Well, he is doing like a big with comparable max brightness, at least as long as the “additional brightness” option of the S23 is not activated. Vision angles are also similar, ditto for very well balanced colors on the two phones in normal mode.

The virtually infinite contrast of AMOLED technology is still as pleasant, it also displays a sufficient definition in Full HD+ and has a high cooling rate to 120 Hz.

AMOLED curved slab

Note that the phone works basic on a “dynamic” mode that adapts the frequency according to uses which undoubtedly saves the battery, but reduces navigation comfort within the interface. Finally, the fingerprint reader integrated into the screen works quickly, as we expect.

Outdoor readability

Performances: it lacks (a little) breath

Qualcomm is offering rather convincing mid -range flea this year, so we wonder why Honor has chosen to resume the SOC Snapdragon 695 5G of its predecessor, the Magic 4 Lite. The performances were not extraordinary last year, they are not more today ..

The interest of this chip lies in the presence of a 5G modem and again this technology is not essential to benefit from a good browsing experience on the Internet or to launch videos quickly, 4G already works very well.

Figures performance:

Geekbench / PC Mark / 3D Mark

Technical characteristics :

• Qualcomm Snapdragon 695
• Format: 2 x 2.2 GHz + 6 x 1.8 GHz
• GPU: Adreno 619
• RAM: 6 or 8 GB

Interface: progress remains to be made

The Honor Magic 5 Lite is delivered with Android 12 and the Magic Ui overlay in version 6.1. The latter does not play the card of discretion, it is even rather impressive (around 20 GB with preinstalled applications). If navigation remains as a pleasant whole thanks to the 120 Hz screen, there are a few slowdowns from time to time or even racking animations, which harms the overall experience.

And then, it is necessary also count with a whole bunch of preinstalled applications such as Tiktok, Netflix, TrainPal, Trip.Com, WPS Office, Facebook, Lords Mobile… without forgetting the duplicates either, that is to say the applications developed by Honor which provide services identical to those of Google: App Market, Gallery, Agenda, Honor store, block -Notes … all these elements make the interface less readable and more complex to understand for the user. Another example is the keyboard installed natively, Microsoft Swiftkey.

No doubt these partnerships make it possible to lower the marketing price or to improve profitability, but it is not beneficial for the user. Anyway, know that you always have the possibility of sorting the interface and installing the services you prefer, you can also opt for a third -party launcher in order to obtain an experience closer to ‘Android in its basic version.

Battery: a real dromedary

By providing the Magic 5 Lite with a battery of 5,100 mAh Against 4,800 mAh on the previous generation, we suspected that autonomy would be one of its strengths and we are not disappointed since it easily holds a day of use. You can even allow yourself to forget the recharge overnight and use it in the early morning. In this regard, he receives a Quick load in 40 watts, at least, provided you have a sufficiently powerful charger at home since it is not included in the box.

With our 45W charger, the phone is able to recover 11% battery in 15 minutes And 24% in 30 minutes. As a reminder, last year the Magic 4 Lite had a load 66 watts, We were entitled to expect an identical capacity.

Photo: Forget the night

Honor opted for a photo module made up of three sensors and a 16 Mp camera at the front. The configuration is classic with a main objective associated with an ultra-angle, then a macro for close photos.

No need to turn around the pot, the clichés are very average and that even in good conditions. It is nothing, however, compared to the photos in low light that are just catastrophic.

Main sensor

Ultra Grand Angle sensor

Main sensor with X2 Zoom

Main sensor

Main sensor

Main sensor

Ultra Grand Angle sensor

Front camera

Technical characteristics :

• Main camera 64 MP (opening f/1.8)
• Ultra Grand-Angle 5 MP camera (f/2.2 opening)
• MP 2 MP macro camera (f/2.4) opening)
• 16 MP front camera (f/2.45 opening)

On the competition side ?

It is not the competition that is missing in the segment of smartphones within € 400. THE Samsung Galaxy A54 also has an excellent screen and good autonomy. If the load is slow, only 25W, it catches up in the photo with a more versatile module.

Even if he is no longer very young and he is satisfied with a 60 Hz screen, the Google Pixel 6a delivers a good experience and has an effective photo module, especially in low light.

For those looking for a slightly more atypical device, we finally find the Nothing Phone (1) which issues solid services for a comparable rate. His successor will however be announced in only a few weeks.

Conclusion

The Magic 5 Lite progresses compared to the previous generation. The quality of manufacturer is excellent, its AMOLED screen is undoubtedly one of the best that can be found in this segment, autonomy is also convincing. We nevertheless regret the interface that lacks readability and the any photo part. In any case, it remains a Efficient smartphone, offered at a reasonable rate.

Read the full test

• Writing note

[Test] What is the Honor Magic 5 Lite worth ?

For a month now I have been testing the Honor Magic 5 Lite which is offered at 329 €.
While it is worth ? Is Honor Magic Lite of good value for money ? and what are its assets and faults ?
We will try to answer this in the rest of the article.

It is a classic white box with the name of the phone in silver letter, we immediately see that the smartphone is compatible with 5G.
On the turn the recall of the name of the phone as well as its manufacturer and the labels with the serial number and the IMEI number.

Once open, we arrive on the phone that is packed in a protective bag.
Once removed, we arrive on a white cardboard support.
Below, a white cardboard pocket that contains the SIM card as well as the quick starter of the phone.
Under this pocket, we find a USB C cable and that’s all !
Honor does not deliver a charger with this phone !
You will therefore have to reuse an old charger or buy a.

I offer you a video of aboxing of this Honor Magic 5 Lite:

This mobile is positioned at the top of the entry level even if its name makes it think that it is in the high end. It is found with a “catalog” price of € 379 with 6 GB of Ram and 128 GB of Rom.

So here are the main characteristics:

• Android 12 with the Magic Ui overlay
• 6.1.A screen 6.67 -inch curved amoled and a dynamic display frequency up to 120 Hz.
• A battery of 5100 mAh.
• 128 GB of Rom and 6 GB of RAM.
• Compatibility 5g.
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 : Two Arm Cortex-A78 (2.3GHz), six Cortex-A55 (1.8GHz).
• A GPU Adreno 619.
• Photo sensor Principal Ultra-Clair 64 MPX (F/1.8)),
• Photo sensor Ultra wide angle of 5 mpx (f/2.2)
• Photo sensor 2 MP macro (f/2.4).
• Photo sensor Before 16 Mpx (f/2.45).

We also find the classics: USB C, NFC, Bluetooth 5.1, wifi 5.

The Honor Magic 5 Lite is Take hand fairly well Despite its curved screen, a very smooth back that quickly take fingerprints in its black version. The green version it is not subject to this concern for fingerprints.
For those who like to use their smartphone without shells unfortunately it will be necessary to use one here to limit the fingerprints.
The photo sensors are in a large fine circle which is reminiscent of the form of the sensors of the Honor Magic 5 Pro.
It is sometimes difficult to select the information on the curved edge of the smartphone.
About it, Honor To also add a detection function to prevent unwanted contact on the screen and that works pretty well.
Indeed on my Honor Magic 4 Pro, he tended to leave certain applications because I could touch with my other hands another area of ​​the phone without wanting to.
And this has never occurred when I use the Honor Magic 5 Lite.
Finally, he has a total mass of 175 g, he is really light and this quickly forget in a jeans pocket.

I will start with her Superb AMOLED screen which makes it possible to display a frequency of dynamic refreshment up to 120Hz depending on what you are doing.
L’screen is really bright, Whether in full sun or at night.
THE Digital imprint sensor under the screen is fast To recognize the digital imprint.
The interface of Magic UI 6 is really nice, it takes care of the gestures and this personalized thanks to the preinstalling themes application on the Magic 5 Lite.

This smartphone is compatible with Honor Connect, that allows if you have a laptop or a Honor tablet of easily share your files, but also to benefit from the screen copy on the PC or tablet screen.
It is so possible to use are smartphone on your computer or tablet without having to touch it !

The screen of Honor Magic 5 Lite contains 0.65 mm reinforced glass.

• And the photo / video in all of this ?

Photo is generally one of the very good point of Honor smartphones, when it is for this Magic 5 Lite ?

The Honor Magic 5 Lite has 3 photo sensors on the back and a facial sensor ::

• Photo sensor Principal Ultra-Clair 64 MPX (F/1.8),
• Photo sensor Ultra wide angle of 5 mpx (f/2.2),
• Photo sensor 2 MP macro (f/2.4).
• Photo sensor Before 16 Mpx (f/2.45).

For photography, Honor uses a Matrix Star camera design to central symmetry which gives off a refined aesthetic.
I have been Disappointed the video photo part which cannot easily take a beautiful photo !
Indeed colors are far too bright and too much away from reality !
I would let you judge for yourself in photos that I could take with it during my trip to Tunise.
As soon as we use the digital zoom (possible up to X8), the quality is degraded in particular in poor light conditions, because there is no optical telephoto lens.
As for the videos, they are quite fluid, without jerk. However, I have always reproached the color rendering which is far too saturated.
I hope that Honor will be able to correct this photo part with future Magic OS updates (New name of Magic Ui) so that the photo rendering this brings the reality of what we want to take in.

The SoC Snapdragon 695 is a mid -range, But who is still energy efficient. He really shows himself fluid in daily stains without overheating.
I was able to play Games such as Pokemon Go or GENSHIN IMPACT of Fluid way without slowing down.
It should be noted that Honor offers 5 GB of its RAM Turbo in addition to 6 GB of Ram offered by the smartphone, this allows to keep More active application in the background without slow down when navigation or use.

As for theAutonomy, the 5100 mAh battery allowed me to Hold 2 days in use reason that’s to say without being constantly On my smartphone To surf social networks or internet.
I was able to participate in Honor 2 days Battery Challenge during the MWC And Check for myself that he could have last 2 days.
Here are the screenshots that I was able to make during my two days at the MWC in Barcelona:

I will start with Disappointment, Honor cannot here to equal or exceed smartphones of 2022 on the photo part. However, it was for me one of the strong points of this brand whether it is entering the range or at the top of the range.
I hope that Honor will not neglect this part in its next entry -level smartphones.

Disappoint, The assessment is positive, indeed the battery is one of the big positive points of this test, She really allowed me to hold on what changes from the Honor Magic 4 Pro which does not hold a whole day !
For the rest are screen is really fluid and bright, it is also the first time that Honor offers an amoled on this price range, Last year we had the right to an LCD 90 Hz screen.
It is therefore a good evolution for the consumer.
You should also know that Honor offers this smartphone 1 year major updates or until Android 14 (Magic OS 8) and 3 years of security update.

In short, If you are looking for a fluid smartphone with good autonomy and the photo part is not your priority, this smartphone may be for you !

The “+”:
– The AMOLED screen at 120Hz, fluid and bright with a superb definition.
– The superb 5100 mAh battery which allows to hold up to 2 days.
– Fluidity Bring by the Snapdragon 695.
– Honor Connect, a real gateway between the smartphone, the laptop or the tablet.

THE “-” :
– The photo part.
– Finger traces on the black version.
– No charger in the box.
– The duration of support for software that is too low compared to other manufacturers.