Honor Play6T vs X40 GT Racing: Which Budget Phone Wins?

Honor's Play and X series consistently deliver compelling value, but the Play6T and X40 GT Racing represent different approaches. The Play6T focuses on established, efficient chipset technology, while the X40 GT Racing prioritizes rapid charging and a potentially more powerful, though less-detailed, CPU. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which phone best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing consistent performance and a proven chipset, the Honor Play6T offers a solid foundation. However, the Honor X40 GT Racing’s 66W charging – capable of reaching 90% in just 30 minutes – is a game-changer for those who value minimizing downtime, making it the winner for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names Honor Play6T Honor X40 GT Racing
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41LTE
5G bandsSA/NSASA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1x -
Launch
Announced2022, April 072023, September 19
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, April 16Available. Released 2023, September 22
Body
Dimensions167.6 x 77.2 x 8.6 mm (6.60 x 3.04 x 0.34 in)166.1 x 75.8 x 8.5 mm (6.54 x 2.98 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight198 g (6.98 oz)199.5 g (7.05 oz)
Display
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density)1080 x 2388 pixels (~385 ppi density)
Size6.74 inches, 109.7 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.81 inches, 112.3 cm2 (~89.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeTFT LCD, 90HzIPS LCD, 144Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm)-
GPUMali-G57 MC2-
OSAndroid 11, Magic UI 5.0Android 13, Magic OS 7.1
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, panorama, HDR
Triple13 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), AF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Single5 MP, f/2.2, (wide)16 MP, f/2.5
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack Yes-
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass
Battery
Charging22.5W wired66W wired, 90% in 30 min 5W reverse wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 4800 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Silver, BlueBlack, Silver
ModelsCMA-AN40-
PriceAbout 180 EURAbout 300 EUR

Honor Play6T

  • Proven and efficient Mediatek Dimensity 700 chipset
  • Balanced CPU core configuration for consistent performance
  • 7nm process node for better thermal management

  • Slower 22.5W charging
  • Limited camera information suggests average performance

Honor X40 GT Racing

  • Ultra-fast 66W charging (90% in 30 minutes)
  • 5W reverse wired charging for accessories
  • Potentially higher CPU clock speeds

  • Less detailed CPU specification raises performance consistency concerns
  • Lack of thermal management details could lead to throttling

Display Comparison

Display specifications are absent from the provided data, making a direct comparison impossible. However, given the price points, both devices likely utilize LCD panels. The X40 GT Racing, positioned as a 'Racing' edition, *may* feature a higher refresh rate, which would be a significant advantage for gaming. Without further information, we can assume both offer adequate, but not exceptional, viewing experiences.

Camera Comparison

Camera details are limited. Both phones likely feature multi-camera setups, but without sensor size or aperture information, a meaningful comparison is difficult. The absence of any mention of OIS suggests neither phone will excel in low-light photography. The X40 GT Racing’s ‘Racing’ branding *might* indicate a focus on action photography, but this is speculative. Users should expect adequate, but not flagship-level, camera performance from both devices.

Performance

The Honor Play6T’s Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7nm) provides a well-understood performance profile. Its octa-core CPU, featuring 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, balances power and efficiency. The X40 GT Racing’s CPU is simply listed as ‘octa-core,’ lacking specific core details. This suggests a potentially less refined architecture, possibly prioritizing clock speed over core efficiency. The Dimensity 700’s 7nm process node also offers better thermal efficiency than a potentially larger node used in the X40 GT Racing’s CPU, meaning less throttling during extended gaming sessions. The Play6T will likely provide more consistent frame rates in demanding titles.

Battery Life

The Honor X40 GT Racing’s 66W wired charging is the standout feature here. Achieving 90% charge in 30 minutes dramatically reduces downtime compared to the Play6T’s 22.5W charging. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging speed effectively mitigates any potential capacity difference. The X40 GT Racing also includes 5W reverse wired charging, a convenient feature for topping up accessories, absent on the Play6T.

Buying Guide

Buy the Honor Play6T if you need a reliable daily driver with a known chipset and don't prioritize the absolute fastest charging speeds. It's ideal for users who value stability and efficiency over raw power. Buy the Honor X40 GT Racing if you prefer a phone that can quickly top up its battery, even if it means potentially sacrificing some sustained performance due to a less-detailed CPU specification. This is the better choice for gamers and power users.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ How much faster is the 66W charging on the X40 GT Racing compared to the Play6T's 22.5W in a real-world scenario?
The X40 GT Racing's 66W charging can realistically take a phone from 0% to 90% in around 30 minutes, while the Play6T's 22.5W charging will likely take over an hour and a half to reach full charge. This difference is particularly noticeable for users who frequently run out of battery and need a quick top-up.
❓ Will the Mediatek Dimensity 700 in the Play6T handle demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty Mobile?
The Dimensity 700 is capable of running PUBG and Call of Duty Mobile at medium settings with stable frame rates. However, the X40 GT Racing’s CPU, while less detailed in its specification, *may* offer slightly higher peak performance, but potentially at the cost of sustained performance due to thermal constraints.
❓ Does the Honor X40 GT Racing's CPU lack detail because it's an older generation chipset?
The lack of specific CPU details suggests Honor may be using a less-publicized chipset configuration, potentially prioritizing cost savings over top-tier performance. It doesn't necessarily mean it's an older generation, but it indicates a less premium component compared to the well-documented Dimensity 700.