Honor's 400 Smart and X8c represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone space. Both leverage Qualcomm's 6-series Snapdragon platform, but diverge in chipset generation and CPU architecture. This comparison dissects these differences, focusing on real-world performance implications and battery endurance to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Honor 400 Smart emerges as the superior choice. Its newer Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 chipset, featuring Cortex-A78 cores, delivers a noticeable performance uplift over the X8c’s Snapdragon 685, making it better suited for multitasking and demanding applications. While both offer 35W charging, the 400 Smart’s superior endurance further solidifies its position.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | LTE |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, August 07 | 2025, January 14 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, August 09 | Available. Released 2025, January 20 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back or silicone polymer back (eco leather) |
| Dimensions | 166.9 x 76.8 x 8.4 mm (6.57 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) | 161.1 x 74.6 x 7.1 mm (6.34 x 2.94 x 0.28 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 189 g (6.67 oz) | 174 g (6.14 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass, Mohs level 4 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1610 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~261 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~394 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.77 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.0 cm2 (~89.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD, 120Hz, 700 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 120Hz, 1200 nits (HBM), 2800 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 685 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 15, Magic OS 9 | Android 15, MagicOS 9 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 108 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.67", PDAF, OIS
5 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 50 MP, f/2.1, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0/5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, proximity (ultrasonic) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 35W wired | 35W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 6500 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Marrs Green, Midnight Black, Moonlight White, Cloud Purple |
| Models | LGN-NX1 | ABR-LX1, ABR-LX2, ABR-LX3 |
| Price | - | € 190.78 / $ 213.42 / £ 159.00 |
| EU LABEL |
|---|
| Battery | 69:32h endurance, 1600 cycles | - |
| Energy | Class A | - |
| Free fall | Class A (270 falls) | - |
| Repairability | Class B | - |
Honor 400 Smart
- Superior CPU performance with Cortex-A78 cores
- Longer battery endurance (69:32h)
- Higher charge cycle lifespan (1600 cycles)
- Potentially higher price point
- Camera specifications unknown
Honor X8c
- Potentially lower price point
- Reliable Snapdragon 685 chipset
- 35W fast charging
- Older CPU architecture (Cortex-A73)
- Likely shorter battery life
- Less responsive performance for demanding tasks
Display Comparison
Display specifications are absent from the provided data, but given the price points, both devices likely feature LCD panels. The key differentiator will be resolution and brightness. We anticipate the X8c, being an older model, may have lower peak brightness. Color accuracy is also likely similar, leaning towards standard sRGB coverage. Bezels are expected to be comparable, with neither phone aiming for flagship-level screen-to-body ratios.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are unavailable, but it’s reasonable to assume both phones feature multi-camera setups geared towards social media sharing. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, image processing algorithms play a crucial role, and Honor’s software optimizations could mitigate hardware limitations. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is likely a marketing feature with limited practical utility. The primary camera’s sensor size and aperture will be the determining factors in low-light performance.
Performance
The Honor 400 Smart’s Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 (6nm) represents a significant architectural upgrade over the X8c’s Snapdragon 685 (6nm). The 400 Smart utilizes 2x 2.3 GHz Cortex-A78 cores alongside 6x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, while the X8c employs 4x 2.8 GHz Cortex-A73 cores and 4x 1.9 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. The A78 cores in the 400 Smart offer substantially improved single-core performance, crucial for app launch speeds and general responsiveness. While the X8c’s A73 cores have a higher clock speed, the A78 architecture is more efficient and delivers better performance per clock cycle. This translates to a smoother user experience, especially when switching between apps or running multiple tasks simultaneously. The 6nm process node is shared, suggesting similar thermal efficiency, but the more efficient architecture of the 400 Smart will likely result in less throttling under sustained load.
Battery Life
The Honor 400 Smart boasts a 69:32h endurance rating, indicating exceptional battery life. While the X8c’s endurance isn’t specified, the 400 Smart’s figure suggests a larger battery capacity or more efficient power management. Both phones support 35W wired charging, promising relatively quick top-ups. The 400 Smart’s superior endurance means users will likely need to charge less frequently, even with similar charging speeds. The 400 Smart also claims 1600 charge cycles, suggesting a longer lifespan before significant battery degradation.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor 400 Smart if you prioritize responsiveness and future-proofing, and frequently engage in multitasking, social media, or light gaming. Its more modern chipset will provide a smoother experience. Buy the Honor X8c if your primary needs are basic communication, media consumption, and extended battery life with less emphasis on demanding performance. It represents a solid, reliable option for essential smartphone functions.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Honor 400 Smart handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The Snapdragon 6s Gen 3, with its Cortex-A78 cores, offers a noticeable performance improvement over the Snapdragon 685. While it won't deliver flagship-level gaming, the 400 Smart should be capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium settings with stable frame rates. The X8c may struggle with consistent performance at higher settings.
❓ How much faster is the 35W charging on the Honor 400 Smart compared to the X8c in real-world use?
Both phones support 35W charging, so the 0-100% charge time will likely be similar. However, the 400 Smart’s superior battery endurance means you’ll need to charge it less frequently, making the fast charging more impactful in daily use. The longer battery lifespan (1600 cycles) also means the battery will retain its charging capacity for a longer period.
❓ Is the difference in CPU architecture between the Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 and 685 noticeable for everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
Yes, the difference is noticeable. The Cortex-A78 cores in the 400 Smart provide a snappier and more responsive experience when launching apps, scrolling through social media feeds, and multitasking. The X8c’s older Cortex-A73 cores will feel less fluid in comparison, especially when handling multiple apps simultaneously.
