Looking for a great value smartphone? The Honor Note 10 and Honor 8X Max were popular contenders in the budget segment. Both offer large displays and decent specs, but which one truly delivers the best experience? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Honor Note 10 edges out the 8X Max thanks to its significantly more powerful Kirin 970 chipset, resulting in smoother performance and better gaming. While the 8X Max offers reverse charging, the Note 10's overall performance makes it the better choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 - Global |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat16 1024/150 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO / TD-SCDMA | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2018, July. Released 2018, August | 2018, September. Released 2018, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame | - |
| Dimensions | 177 x 85 x 7.7 mm (6.97 x 3.35 x 0.30 in) | 177.6 x 86.3 x 8.1 mm (6.99 x 3.40 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 230 g (8.11 oz) | 210 g (7.41 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2220 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~355 ppi density) | 1080 x 2244 pixels, 18.7:9 ratio (~350 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.95 inches, 122.6 cm2 (~81.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 7.12 inches, 127.8 cm2 (~83.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, HDR10 | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x1.95 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Kirin 970 (10 nm) | Qualcomm SDM660 Snapdragon 660 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G72 MP12 | Adreno 512 |
| OS | Android 8.1 (Oreo), EMUI 8.2 | Android 8.1 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 9 (Pie), EMUI 9 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 16 MP, f/1.8, PDAF
24 MP B/W, f/1.8, PDAF | 16 MP, f/2.0, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS) | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0 | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, EDR, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG | microUSB 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, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 22.5W wired | 18W wired
5W reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Black, Phantom Blue | Black, Blue, Red |
| Models | RVL-AL09, rv | ARE-AL00, ARE-L22HN, ARE-AL10 |
| Price | About 400 EUR | About 250 EUR |
Honor Note 10
- Superior Performance (Kirin 970)
- Better Image Processing
- Sleek Design
- Faster Charging (22.5W)
- Smaller Battery than 8X Max
- No Reverse Charging
Honor 8X Max
- Larger Battery (5000mAh)
- Reverse Wired Charging
- Larger Display
- More Affordable
- Weaker Performance (Snapdragon 660)
- Lower Image Quality
- Slower Charging (18W)
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large displays – the Note 10 with a 6.6-inch screen and the 8X Max with a 6.8-inch screen. While the 8X Max boasts a slightly larger display, both offer Full HD+ resolution. The Note 10 might have slightly better color accuracy due to its higher-tier chipset, but both are perfectly adequate for media consumption.
Camera Comparison
The Honor Note 10 typically features a dual-camera setup (16MP + 20MP) while the Honor 8X Max has a triple camera setup (13MP + 2MP + 2MP). While megapixels aren't everything, the Note 10's Kirin 970's image processing capabilities often result in better image quality, especially in low light. The 8X Max's extra lenses offer depth sensing for portrait mode.
Performance
This is where the Note 10 shines. The Kirin 970 is a considerably more powerful chipset than the Snapdragon 660. Expect noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the Note 10. The 8X Max is still capable for everyday tasks, but will struggle with more demanding games.
Battery Life
The Honor 8X Max has a larger battery capacity (5000mAh) compared to the Note 10 (4000mAh). However, the Note 10's more efficient chipset can sometimes offset this difference. The 8X Max also includes 5W reverse wired charging, allowing it to charge other devices – a unique feature.
Buying Guide
The Honor Note 10 is ideal for users who prioritize performance and a smoother user experience, especially for gaming or multitasking. The Honor 8X Max is a good option for those seeking a large battery with reverse charging and a slightly more affordable price point, prioritizing battery life over raw power.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Honor Note 10 good for gaming?
Yes, the Honor Note 10's Kirin 970 chipset provides a significantly better gaming experience compared to the Honor 8X Max. It can handle most games smoothly at medium to high settings.
❓ Can the Honor 8X Max charge other phones?
Yes, the Honor 8X Max features 5W reverse wired charging, allowing you to use it as a power bank for other devices.
