Xiaomi Poco X5 Pro vs. Honor Play6T: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range Performance

The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Xiaomi Poco X5 Pro and Honor Play6T represent compelling options for budget-conscious buyers. The Poco X5 Pro leverages Qualcomm's Snapdragon 778G 5G, while the Honor Play6T opts for MediaTek's Dimensity 700. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device delivers the best overall experience.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Xiaomi Poco X5 Pro emerges as the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 778G chipset offers a significant performance advantage, coupled with 67W fast charging and a brighter display. While the Honor Play6T provides a functional experience, it falls behind in processing power and charging speed.

PHONES
Phone Names Honor Play6T Xiaomi Poco X5 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International
4G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bandsSA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1x 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 78 SA/NSA - India
Launch
Announced2022, April 072023, February 06
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, April 16Available. Released 2023, February 07
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions167.6 x 77.2 x 8.6 mm (6.60 x 3.04 x 0.34 in)162.9 x 76 x 7.9 mm (6.41 x 2.99 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight198 g (6.98 oz)181 g (6.38 oz)
 -IP53, dust and splash resistant
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size6.74 inches, 109.7 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeTFT LCD, 90HzAMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 900 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm)Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2Adreno 642L
OSAndroid 11, Magic UI 5.0Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, MIUI 14 for POCO
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 2.2
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple13 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), AF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR, panorama
Single5 MP, f/2.2, (wide)16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.2 (Intl), 5.1 (India), A2DP, LE
Infrared port-Yes
NFCNoYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
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 DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band - India
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging22.5W wired67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 45 min 5W reverse wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Silver, BlueAstral Black, Horizon Blue, Poco Yellow
ModelsCMA-AN4022101320G, 22101320I
PriceAbout 180 EUR€ 156.00 / $ 221.33 / ₹ 22,490
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 113h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -24.9 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 531398 (v9) GeekBench: 2930 (v5.1) GFXBench: 28fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Honor Play6T

  • Lower price point makes it accessible.
  • Functional for basic smartphone tasks.
  • Decent battery endurance.

  • Significantly weaker processor performance.
  • Slower charging speed.
  • Likely inferior display quality.

Xiaomi Poco X5 Pro

  • Superior processor performance with Snapdragon 778G.
  • Much faster 67W charging with multiple protocols.
  • Brighter and more vibrant display.
  • Reverse wired charging capability.

  • Higher initial cost.
  • May not be significantly better for extremely basic use cases.

Display Comparison

The Xiaomi Poco X5 Pro boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 912 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the Honor Play6T. This higher peak brightness translates to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While both displays have an 'infinite' contrast ratio (typical for AMOLED/OLED panels), the Poco X5 Pro’s brightness advantage is a clear win for media consumption and everyday usability. The lack of detailed display specs for the Play6T suggests a more basic panel, likely impacting color accuracy and viewing angles.

Camera Comparison

Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are limited. Without sensor size or aperture information for either phone, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Snapdragon 778G’s image signal processor (ISP) is generally more advanced than the ISP found in the Dimensity 700, suggesting the Poco X5 Pro will likely deliver better image processing, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The absence of details regarding OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on either device suggests reliance on digital stabilization, which can introduce artifacts in videos.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Poco X5 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G (6nm) is architecturally superior to the Honor Play6T’s MediaTek Dimensity 700 (7nm). The Snapdragon 778G features a prime Cortex-A78 core clocked at 2.4 GHz, alongside three additional A78 cores at 2.2 GHz, offering a substantial uplift in single-core and multi-core performance compared to the Play6T’s dual Cortex-A76 cores at 2.2 GHz. The 6nm process node of the Snapdragon 778G also contributes to better power efficiency, potentially leading to longer sustained performance under load. This translates to smoother gaming, faster app loading times, and a more responsive user experience on the Poco X5 Pro.

Battery Life

Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 113 hours, indicating similar overall battery life. However, the charging capabilities are vastly different. The Poco X5 Pro’s 67W wired charging, supporting PD3.0 and QC4, can fully charge the device in just 45 minutes. The Honor Play6T’s 22.5W charging is considerably slower. Furthermore, the Poco X5 Pro includes 5W reverse wired charging, allowing it to top up other devices, a feature absent on the Play6T. The faster charging speed of the Poco X5 Pro is a significant convenience factor for users who frequently need to quickly replenish their battery.

Buying Guide

Buy the Honor Play6T if you prioritize a lower initial cost and are primarily focused on basic smartphone tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. Buy the Xiaomi Poco X5 Pro if you value smoother multitasking, improved gaming performance, faster charging, and a more vibrant display experience, even if it means spending a bit more.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 778G in the Poco X5 Pro get hot during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 778G is known for its relatively efficient thermal management. While it will get warm during prolonged gaming, the 6nm process node and Qualcomm's thermal mitigation technologies help prevent significant throttling, maintaining consistent performance for longer periods compared to less efficient chipsets.
❓ Is the 22.5W charging on the Honor Play6T slow enough to be a major inconvenience?
Yes, the 22.5W charging on the Honor Play6T is considerably slower than the 67W charging on the Poco X5 Pro. Expect a significantly longer time to fully charge the device, potentially requiring overnight charging for a full top-up, which can be inconvenient for users accustomed to faster charging speeds.
❓ How does the Dimensity 700 handle multitasking compared to the Snapdragon 778G?
The Dimensity 700 is capable of handling basic multitasking, but the Snapdragon 778G offers a noticeably smoother experience with more demanding applications and a higher number of apps running concurrently. The Snapdragon's more powerful CPU cores and increased memory bandwidth contribute to this improved multitasking performance.
❓ Will I notice a significant difference in app loading times between these two phones?
Yes, you will likely notice a significant difference. The Snapdragon 778G's faster processing speeds and UFS storage support (likely faster than the Play6T) result in quicker app launch times and a more responsive overall user interface.