HMD Pulse vs Honor Magic V3
Shop Android Smartphones
HMD Pulse
Starting at
£103.00
Honor Magic V3
Starting at
£552.00What's the difference between the HMD Pulse and Honor Magic V3?
HMD Pulse vs Honor Magic V3 comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Refurbished, the HMD Pulse starts at £103, £449 less than the Honor Magic V3.
Refurbished from
Chipset
RAM
Battery
Screen size
Screen type
- Chipset: Unisoc T606 (12 nm) on the HMD Pulse, Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) on the Honor Magic V3.
- The Honor Magic V3 has more RAM: 12 GB vs 4 GB.
- The Honor Magic V3 has a bigger battery: 5150 mAh vs 5000 mAh.
HMD Pulse vs Honor Magic V3 specs
The HMD Pulse and Honor Magic V3 both arrived in 2024 but offer different experiences for different users. The Honor Magic V3 is a foldable phone with a larger, higher resolution screen and a faster refresh rate, suited to those who want a premium display and multitasking power. It has a stronger chipset, much more RAM and storage, and supports 5G. The HMD Pulse is simpler with a solid battery, 4G connectivity, and expandable storage via microSDXC. It is lighter and narrower, making it easier to handle for everyday tasks. Your choice depends on whether you prioritise advanced features and screen size or straightforward, practical use.
HMD Pulse vs Honor Magic V3 price
Colour
- BlackSold out
- BlackSold out
Storage
- 64GBSold out
- 512GBSold out
HMD Pulse vs Honor Magic V3 battery life and software updates
Durability covers battery capacity, foldability, operating system, and release year. These factors affect how you use the phone daily and how long it stays powered between charges.
Battery Capacity
The HMD Pulse has a 5000 mAh battery, offering solid endurance for regular use. The Honor Magic V3 has a slightly larger 5150 mAh battery, which supports its bigger, foldable screen and more demanding hardware. If you often use your phone for extended periods, the Honor Magic V3's battery can help maintain power despite its advanced features.
Foldable Design
The Honor Magic V3 is foldable, providing a flexible form factor that can expand the screen size when opened. This suits users who want a device that adapts between compact and spacious modes. The HMD Pulse is not foldable, offering a traditional smartphone shape that is straightforward to carry and use.
Operating System
The HMD Pulse runs on Android. The Honor Magic V3 operates on Android 14.
Battery
Foldable
OS at launch
Year of release
HMD Pulse vs Honor Magic V3 performance
Performance differences come down to chipset, RAM and storage options, which influence speed, multitasking and space for apps and media.
Chipset Power
The HMD Pulse uses a Unisoc T606 chipset built on a 12 nm process, designed for everyday tasks and basic apps. The Honor Magic V3 is powered by the Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, built on a 4 nm process, which delivers much higher performance for gaming, multitasking and demanding applications.
Memory Capacity
With 4 GB of RAM, the HMD Pulse suits users who mainly run standard apps and simple multitasking. The Honor Magic V3 offers 12 GB of RAM which allows for smooth handling of many apps at once and better performance with power-intensive software.
Storage Space
The HMD Pulse comes with 64 GB of storage, expandable via a microSDXC slot, which is useful if you want to add more space for photos, videos or apps. The Honor Magic V3 provides 512 GB of internal storage, offering ample room for large files and extensive app collections without needing external cards.
Chipset
RAM
HMD Pulse vs Honor Magic V3 screen
Screen quality affects how you view content. Differences in size, resolution, refresh rate and panel type influence clarity, smoothness and display vibrancy.
Screen Size and Type
The HMD Pulse has a 6.65 inch IPS LCD screen, delivering reliable colour and brightness suited to everyday use. The Honor Magic V3's screen is much larger at 7.92 inches and uses LTPO AMOLED technology, which typically offers deeper blacks and more vibrant colours, ideal for media consumption and detailed viewing.
Resolution
The HMD Pulse's screen resolution is 720 by 1612 pixels, providing adequate clarity for routine tasks. The Honor Magic V3 has a significantly higher resolution at 2156 by 2344 pixels, which results in sharper images and more detailed visuals, beneficial for reading, gaming and watching high-definition videos.
Refresh Rate
At 90 Hz, the HMD Pulse screen refreshes smoothly enough for general scrolling and media. The Honor Magic V3's 120 Hz refresh rate offers even smoother motion, noticeable when gaming or navigating quickly through apps.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
HMD Pulse vs Honor Magic V3 camera
Camera type
Front camera
Main camera
HMD Pulse vs Honor Magic V3 size and design
Other features include network support, SIM options, physical dimensions, and expandability, which affect connectivity, comfort and flexibility.
Mobile Network
The HMD Pulse supports 4G networks, suitable for standard internet speeds and calls. The Honor Magic V3 supports 5G, which allows for faster mobile data where 5G coverage is available.
SIM Card Options
The HMD Pulse has a single physical SIM slot, appropriate for users with one mobile plan. The Honor Magic V3 offers dual physical SIM slots plus eSIM support, giving more flexibility for managing multiple lines or plans.
Expandable Storage
The HMD Pulse includes a microSDXC card slot, allowing you to increase storage with a memory card. The Honor Magic V3 does not have an SD card slot, relying on its internal storage capacity.
Physical Size and Weight
The HMD Pulse measures 163.2 mm tall, 75 mm wide and is 8.5 mm deep, weighing 187 g. Its narrower shape suits users who prefer a lighter and more compact phone. The Honor Magic V3 is shorter but much wider at 145.3 mm and thinner at 4.35 mm, weighing between 226 g and 230 g, reflecting its foldable format and larger screen.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
HMD Pulse or Honor Magic V3: which should you buy?
Buy the HMD Pulse if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £103, £449 less than the Honor Magic V3
- you want a memory card slot
Buy the Honor Magic V3 if
- you want more RAM (12 GB vs 4 GB)
- you want a bigger battery (5150 mAh vs 5000 mAh)
- you want an OLED screen
HMD Pulse vs Honor Magic V3 FAQs
HMD Pulse vs Honor Magic V3 comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Chipset: Unisoc T606 (12 nm) on the HMD Pulse, Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) on the Honor Magic V3. The Honor Magic V3 has more RAM: 12 GB vs 4 GB.
The HMD Pulse is cheaper refurbished, from £103 compared with £552 for the Honor Magic V3.
The Honor Magic V3 has a bigger battery: 5150 mAh vs 5000 mAh.
Refurbished, the HMD Pulse comes in 64GB, and the Honor Magic V3 in 512GB.
