Honor V30 vs Realme X50 Pro 5G: Which 5G Flagship Delivers More?

Launched in late 2019 and early 2020 respectively, the Honor V30 and Realme X50 Pro 5G represent distinct approaches to the burgeoning 5G market. The V30, powered by Huawei’s Kirin 990, aimed for a balanced experience, while the X50 Pro 5G aggressively targeted performance with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 865. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which phone offers the best value today.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Realme X50 Pro 5G is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 865 chipset delivers demonstrably faster performance, and its 65W charging significantly reduces downtime. While the Honor V30 offers a respectable experience, the X50 Pro’s raw power and charging speed justify the price difference.

PHONES
Phone Names Honor V30 Realme X50 Pro 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66 - Global
5G bands1, 3, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - Global
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5G (2+ Gbps DL)HSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -41, 78, 79 SA/NSA - India
Launch
Announced2019, November. Released 2019, December2020, February 24. Released 2020, March 05
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions162.7 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm (6.41 x 2.98 x 0.35 in)159 x 74.2 x 8.9 mm (6.26 x 2.92 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight213 g (7.51 oz)205 g (7.23 oz)
Display
ProtectionYesCorning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size6.57 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.44 inches, 100.1 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDSuper AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.86 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x2.09 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.86 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetKirin 990 (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+)
GPUMali-G76 MP16Adreno 650
OSAndroid 10, Magic UI 3Android 10, upgradable to Android 11, Realme UI 2.0
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.0UFS 3.0
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad-64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 12 MP, f/2.5, 54mm (telephoto), 2x optical zoom, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.3, 13mm (ultrawide), PDAF Auxiliary lens
Triple40 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/1.7", PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 80mm (telephoto), 1/4.0", PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 8 MP, f/2.4, 16mm (ultrawide)-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@960fps, (gyro-EIS)4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Dual32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm 8 MP, f/2.2, 17mm (ultrawide)32 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm 8 MP, f/2.2, 17mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
FeaturesHDRHDR
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30/120fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with dual speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, NavIC
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
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, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging40W wired, 70% in 30 min65W wired, PD, 100% in 35 min
TypeLi-Po 4200 mAh, non-removable4200 mAh
Misc
ColorsOcean Blue, Galaxy Black, Icelandic frost, Sunrise OrangeMoss Green, Rust Red
ModelsOXF-AN00RMX2075, RMX2071, RMX2076
PriceAbout 430 EURAbout 360 EUR
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 90h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -23.2 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 592447 (v8) GeekBench: 3175 (v5.1) GFXBench: 45fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Honor V30

  • Potentially superior image processing due to Huawei’s expertise.
  • Balanced overall experience.
  • Competitive pricing (likely lower now due to age).

  • Inferior CPU architecture compared to Snapdragon 865.
  • Slower charging speed (40W vs 65W).
  • Less powerful GPU for gaming.

Realme X50 Pro 5G

  • Significantly faster Snapdragon 865 processor.
  • 65W SuperDart charging for rapid replenishment.
  • More powerful Adreno 650 GPU for gaming.

  • May run slightly warmer under sustained load.
  • Potentially less refined camera image processing (compared to Huawei).
  • May be slightly more expensive.

Display Comparison

The Realme X50 Pro 5G boasts a measured peak brightness of 635 nits, suggesting a more visible display in direct sunlight compared to the Honor V30 (brightness data unavailable). Both phones feature an 'infinite' contrast ratio, typical of OLED panels. While neither specification sheet details refresh rates, the X50 Pro’s panel likely benefits from the Snapdragon 865’s superior display engine for smoother visuals. The absence of LTPO technology on either device means variable refresh rates are unlikely, impacting power efficiency during static content viewing.

Camera Comparison

Both devices offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed sensor information is lacking. However, given Huawei’s historical strength in computational photography, the Honor V30 likely prioritizes image processing algorithms to enhance detail and dynamic range. The Realme X50 Pro 5G, benefiting from the Snapdragon 865’s ISP, offers faster image processing and potentially better video stabilization. Without specific sensor size and aperture data, a definitive camera winner is difficult to declare, but the X50 Pro’s ISP provides a technical edge.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme X50 Pro 5G’s Snapdragon 865 (7nm+) utilizes a newer CPU architecture – a single Cortex-A77 prime core clocked at 2.84 GHz, alongside three more Cortex-A77 cores at 2.42 GHz – compared to the Honor V30’s Kirin 990 (7nm) which uses two Cortex-A76 cores at 2.86 GHz and two more at 2.09 GHz. This architectural advantage, combined with the Snapdragon’s more efficient 7nm+ process, translates to superior sustained performance and thermal management. The X50 Pro’s Adreno 650 GPU also significantly outperforms the Kirin 990’s Mali-G76 MP16, making it the better choice for graphically intensive games.

Battery Life

Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 90 hours, suggesting similar real-world battery life despite the Honor V30’s unspecified battery capacity. However, the Realme X50 Pro 5G’s 65W wired charging with PD support is a game-changer, achieving a full charge in just 35 minutes. The Honor V30’s 40W charging, while respectable, takes longer to reach 70% in 30 minutes, making the X50 Pro significantly more convenient for users who need a quick top-up.

Buying Guide

Buy the Honor V30 if you prioritize a more balanced experience and are comfortable with the Kirin 990’s strengths in image signal processing. It’s a good option for users who value camera quality and don’t require the absolute fastest performance. Buy the Realme X50 Pro 5G if you demand top-tier performance for gaming and demanding applications, and if minimizing charging time is a priority. It’s the clear winner for power users and mobile gamers.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 990 in the Honor V30 struggle with sustained gaming performance?
While the Kirin 990 is a capable chip, it's prone to more thermal throttling than the Snapdragon 865 in the Realme X50 Pro 5G during extended gaming sessions. The Snapdragon’s 7nm+ process and more efficient architecture allow it to maintain higher clock speeds for longer periods.
❓ How much faster is the 65W charging on the Realme X50 Pro 5G compared to the Honor V30’s 40W charging in real-world use?
The Realme X50 Pro 5G can fully charge from 0-100% in approximately 35 minutes, while the Honor V30 only reaches 70% in 30 minutes. This means a complete charge on the X50 Pro takes less than an hour, offering a significant convenience advantage.
❓ Is the difference in CPU architecture between the Kirin 990 and Snapdragon 865 noticeable in everyday tasks?
For basic tasks like browsing and social media, the difference is minimal. However, when multitasking, running demanding apps, or editing videos, the Snapdragon 865’s newer Cortex-A77 cores provide a noticeable performance boost.