Honor 6 Plus vs Honor X8a: A Generational Showdown

The Honor 6 Plus, a flagship from 2014, was a groundbreaking dual-camera phone. Now, let's see how it stacks up against the more modern Honor X8a. This comparison explores which phone offers the best value and performance for today's user.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Honor X8a is the clear winner. While the Honor 6 Plus was impressive for its time, the X8a's modern chipset, improved camera, and faster charging provide a significantly better overall experience. The X8a offers a more contemporary and reliable smartphone experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Honor 6 Plus Honor X8a
Network
2G bandsGSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - PE-UL00HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 41 - PE-UL00LTE
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat6 300/50 MbpsHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
 1, 3, 7, 38, 39, 40, 41 - PE-TL10Virtual proximity sensing
Launch
Announced2014, December. Released 2014, December2023, February 08
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2023, February 11
Body
Build-Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions150.5 x 75.7 x 7.5 mm (5.93 x 2.98 x 0.30 in)162.9 x 74.5 x 7.5 mm (6.41 x 2.93 x 0.30 in)
SIM· Micro-SIM (PE-TL10)· Nano-SIM + Micro-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight165 g (5.82 oz)179 g (6.31 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 3-
Resolution1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)1080 x 2388 pixels (~391 ppi density)
Size5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~73.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 108.7 cm2 (~89.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD, 90Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A15 & 4x1.3 GHz Cortex-A7)Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetKirin 925 (28 nm)Mediatek MT6769H Helio G88 (12 nm)
GPUMali-T628 MP4Mali-G52 MC2
OSAndroid 4.4.2 (KitKat), upgradable to 6 (Marshmallow), EMUI 3Android 12, Magic UI 6.1
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal16GB (3G model); 16/32GB (LTE model), 3GB RAM128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDRLED flash, panorama, HDR
Single8 MP, f/2.0, AF Auxiliary lens16 MP, f/2.5
Triple-100 MP, f/1.9, (wide), AF 5 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single8 MP, f/2.416 MP, f/2.5
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth4.0, A2DP, EDR, LE5.1, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYes-
NFCYes (LTE model)Yes (CRT-LX1 only)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS/ BDS (market dependant)GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioFM radioNo
USBmicroUSB 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspotWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsAccelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass
Battery
Charging-22.5W wired, 50% in 30 min
TypeLi-Po 3600 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, White / Gold (LTE model)Cyan Lake, Titanium Silver, Midnight Black
ModelsPE-TL10, PE-UL00, PE-TL20CRT-LX1, CRT-LX2, CRT-LX3
PriceAbout 320 EURAbout 170 EUR

Honor 6 Plus

  • Innovative dual-camera system for its time
  • Compact size
  • Relatively affordable (if found used)

  • Outdated chipset
  • Poor performance by modern standards
  • Slow charging
  • Limited software support
  • Low-resolution camera by today's standards

Honor X8a

  • Modern chipset with decent performance
  • Good battery life and fast charging
  • Improved camera system
  • Larger and more vibrant display
  • More recent software updates

  • Helio G88 isn't a flagship chip
  • Plastic build quality
  • LCD display (not OLED)

Display Comparison

The Honor X8a boasts a larger 6.7-inch display with a higher resolution (likely FHD+) and a more modern panel technology (LCD). The Honor 6 Plus had a 5.5-inch FHD display, but the X8a's screen offers a more immersive viewing experience and better color accuracy.

Camera Comparison

While the Honor 6 Plus pioneered a dual-camera setup, the Honor X8a's camera system is vastly superior. The X8a likely features a higher resolution main sensor, improved image processing, and potentially additional lenses (ultrawide, macro). Expect better low-light performance and overall image quality from the X8a.

Performance

The Honor X8a's Helio G88 chipset, despite being a mid-range chip, is significantly faster and more efficient than the Kirin 925. The X8a handles modern apps and multitasking with ease, while the 6 Plus will struggle with demanding tasks. The X8a's newer CPU architecture also contributes to better power efficiency.

Battery Life

The Honor X8a's battery capacity is likely larger than the Honor 6 Plus, and its 22.5W fast charging provides a significant advantage. The X8a can be charged to 50% in just 30 minutes, a feature absent in the 6 Plus. Expect longer battery life and quicker top-ups with the X8a.

Buying Guide

The Honor 6 Plus is best suited for nostalgia enthusiasts or those seeking a very basic, ultra-budget device. The Honor X8a is ideal for users needing a reliable daily driver with a decent camera, good battery life, and modern features at an affordable price.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Honor 6 Plus still usable in 2023?
Yes, but with significant limitations. It can handle basic tasks, but performance will be sluggish with modern apps. Software support is non-existent.
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
The Honor X8a offers significantly better battery life and faster charging speeds than the Honor 6 Plus.