Honor Magic 6 Lite

Honor Magic 6 Lite Review: Mid-Range Marvel with Vegan Leather Design

The Honor Magic 6 Lite Is a fresh addition to the mid-range mobile sports, featuring a standout vegan leather design with ultra-bounce technology. With a Punchy 6.78-inch AMOLED display, Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 performance, a 108-megapixel main camera, and various clever tech features, let’s dive into the unboxing experience, design, software, display, audio, performance, battery life, and camera capabilities of the Honor Magic 6 Lite.

Unboxing Experience:

Opening the box, you won’t find much besides the Honor Magic 6 Lite itself. The minimalistic package includes a USB cable and a SIM PIN. The compact size of the box hints at a straightforward unboxing experience, setting the stage for what’s inside.

Design:

The design of the Honor Magic 6 Lite is a futuristic delight. The 6.78-inch display is massive, adhering to the current smartphone standard. However, Honor has managed to minimize bezels, preventing the device from feeling overly cumbersome. The curved design, with sloping edges, adds to the sleek aesthetic, ensuring a comfortable grip without palm intrusion.

Weighing only 185g, the Honor Magic 6 Lite is impressively lightweight for its size. Despite the plastic frame around the edges, the device maintains a slick appearance. The standout feature is the fake leather back, attracting positive comments, especially in the sunrise orange finish. The camera bump is well-integrated, minimizing any wiggling during use.

The display is not protected by Gorilla Glass, but Honor claims it has an ultra-bounce anti-drop display capable of surviving drops of up to 1.5 meters. A pre-installed screen protector adds an extra layer of defense against scratches. The device’s splash resistance (IP53) ensures durability against rain but not submersion.

Software:

Running on MagicOS Launcher atop Android 13, the software experience is a mix of positives and negatives. While the launcher offers a unique interface, Honor’s track record with timely updates and security patches might be a concern for some users. Minor software irritations include limitations in pulling down the notification bar and pre-installed apps that can be removed or ignored.

The in-display optical fingerprint sensor works flawlessly, even with slightly damp hands. Face unlock serves as a reliable alternative, especially in low-light conditions. With 256GB of non-expandable storage, the device provides ample space for users.

Display & Audio:

The 6.78-inch AMOLED display impresses with its vivid colors and crisp visuals at a 1.5k resolution of 2652 by 1200 pixels. The default Vivid mode enhances color saturation, making it ideal for multimedia consumption. With a brightness of over 1,000 nits, outdoor visibility is not an issue.

On the audio front, the Magic 6 Lite falls short with a basic mono speaker setup. While the volume is sufficient, the audio quality may not meet audiophiles’ expectations. Bluetooth headphones become a necessary companion in this scenario.

Performance & Gaming:

Powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset and 8GB of RAM, the Honor Magic 6 Lite delivers smooth everyday performance. Despite occasional app freezes and slowdowns, the device handles gaming surprisingly well. Even demanding titles like Genshin Impact are playable, with some frame drops on higher graphics settings.

The device maintains a reasonable temperature during gaming sessions, ensuring no throttling or overheating issues. While the game manager tool lacks some features compared to alternatives, the performance remains solid.

Battery Life:

The Honor Magic 6 Lite boasts an impressive 5,300mAh battery, providing exceptional endurance. With up to two days of life on a single charge, the device handles intense usage scenarios comfortably. Charging, however, disappoints with a slower 35W charging capability compared to its predecessor.

Cameras:

The star of the camera setup is the 108-megapixel primary sensor. The camera app offers standard features like portrait mode and night mode, but the pro mode lacks some advanced options. The photo quality is good for everyday shots, but vibrant colors can sometimes be a challenge. The high-res mode improves clarity, but zooming digitally in auto mode often provides sharper results.

The ultra-wide-angle and macro lenses, while present, don’t add much excitement. Video recording at 4K resolution is satisfactory, with decent focus and audio quality. However, stabilization could be better for smoother footage.

The 16-megapixel selfie shooter performs well, especially in ambient light, with a bright screen border that avoids blinding the user.

Pros:

  • Distinctive Design: The standout vegan leather back, especially in sunrise orange, adds a touch of elegance and uniqueness to the Honor Magic 6 Lite.
  • Large, Crisp Display: The 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a 1.5k resolution delivers vibrant and crisp visuals, making it ideal for multimedia consumption.
  • Lightweight Build: Despite its large size, the phone weighs only 185g, making it surprisingly light and easy to handle.
  • Impressive Battery Life: With a 5,300mAh battery, the Magic 6 Lite easily lasts for two days of moderate use, providing exceptional battery life.
  • Decent Gaming Performance: Powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset and 8GB of RAM, the device handles gaming well, even managing titles like Genshin Impact on lower graphics settings.
  • Reliable Biometric Security: The in-display optical fingerprint sensor works flawlessly, even with slightly damp hands, and face unlock serves as a reliable alternative.
  • Ample Storage: Offering 256GB of internal storage, the Magic 6 Lite provides generous space for users, eliminating concerns about running out of storage.
  1. Splash Resistance: The phone has an IP53 splash resistance rating, making it suitable for use in light rain and offering some protection against accidental spills.

Cons:

  • Plastic Frame: The plastic frame around the edges somewhat cheapens the overall design, and users might have preferred a more premium build material.
  • Software Updates: Honor’s track record with software updates might disappoint users who are eager to receive the latest Android versions in a timely manner.
  • Mono Speaker Setup: While the single bottom-firing speaker is loud, the audio quality may not satisfy audiophiles, and the absence of stereo speakers might be a drawback for some.
  • No Wireless Charging: The absence of wireless charging might be a downside for users who prefer this convenient charging method.
  • Limited Water Resistance: The IP53 splash resistance is limited and not suitable for submersion, which may be a drawback for users looking for more robust water resistance.
  • Slow Wired Charging: The 35W wired charging is slower than its predecessor, and users may find faster-charging options in competing devices.
  • Average Camera Performance: While the 108-megapixel main sensor is a highlight, the overall camera performance, especially in vibrant colors, may not match the standards set by flagship devices.
  • Lack of Headphone Jack: The absence of a headphone jack means users will need to rely on Bluetooth headphones, which may be inconvenient for those who prefer wired audio connections.

Reasons to Buy:

  1. Unique Design: The Honor Magic 6 Lite stands out with its distinctive vegan leather back, making it an excellent choice for users who appreciate unique aesthetics.
  2. Media Consumption: The large, vibrant AMOLED display makes the phone ideal for multimedia consumption, providing an immersive viewing experience.
  3. Long Battery Life: If exceptional battery life is a priority, the Magic 6 Lite’s 5,300mAh battery ensures extended usage without frequent charging.
  4. Gaming Capabilities: Users who enjoy mobile gaming will appreciate the device’s decent gaming performance, capable of handling various titles without major issues.
  5. Biometric Security: The reliable in-display fingerprint sensor and face unlock provide convenient and secure biometric authentication options.
  6. Generous Storage: With 256GB of internal storage, the Magic 6 Lite offers ample space for apps, games, photos, and videos, reducing concerns about running out of storage.
  7. Splash Resistance: The IP53 splash resistance adds a layer of protection against accidental spills and light rain, enhancing the durability of the device.

Conclusion:

After a week of using the Honor Magic 6 Lite as a full-time smartphone, the hardware impresses with its sleek design, strong multimedia capabilities, and commendable performance. The vegan leather back adds a unique touch to the design, while the display stands out for its vibrant colors and clarity.

However, the software experience, including potential delays in updates and the absence of a headphone jack, may deter some users. The camera system, while offering versatility, falls short of delivering exceptional results, especially in challenging lighting conditions.

In summary, the Honor Magic 6 Lite excels in certain aspects, making it a strong contender in the mid-range segment. With a few trade-offs and software considerations, it caters to users seeking a balance between design, performance, and affordability in a smartphone.

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Daven Klarsen is a technology writer and researcher. He's also an avid sports fan, especially when it comes to the LAL. When not working, you can usually find him tweaking his Android devices or watching soccer news.