The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for your money. Today, we're pitting two popular contenders against each other: the Honor X20 and the Realme 9i. Both promise a compelling experience, but which one truly delivers?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Honor X20 boasts a significantly faster chipset and faster charging, making it the performance champion. However, the Realme 9i offers a more refined software experience and potentially better camera optimization. Ultimately, the choice depends on your priorities: speed or a more polished overall package.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, August 13 | 2022, January 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, August 13 | Available. Released 2022, January 10 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Dragontrail Pro), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 161.8 x 74.7 x 8.5 mm (6.37 x 2.94 x 0.33 in) | 164.4 x 75.7 x 8.4 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 192 g (6.77 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Dragontrail Pro Glass |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2376 pixels (~391 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 108.1 cm2 (~89.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.8 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 900 (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MC4 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 11, Magic UI 4.2 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, Realme UI 4 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 - Vietnam
UFS 2.1 - India |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.9 (wide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 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, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 66W wired | 33W wired, 100% in 70 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4300 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Silver, Black | Black, Blue |
| Models | NTN-AN20 | RMX3491 |
| Price | About 250 EUR | € 149.90 / $ 209.00 / £ 140.09 |
Honor X20
- Significantly faster chipset
- 66W fast charging
- Potentially higher refresh rate display
- High-resolution main camera
- Software experience may be less polished
- Camera optimization potentially not as good as Realme
- Design might be less premium
Realme 9i
- Smoother software experience
- Potentially better camera optimization
- 90Hz refresh rate display
- Sleek design
- Slower chipset
- 33W charging (slower than Honor X20)
- May struggle with demanding games
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.67-inch display, likely with a resolution around 1080 x 2400 pixels. The Honor X20 might have a slightly higher refresh rate (potentially 60Hz or 90Hz), offering smoother scrolling. Realme 9i likely has a 90Hz refresh rate. Color accuracy and brightness will need to be assessed in a full review, but both should provide adequate viewing experiences for everyday use.
Camera Comparison
The Realme 9i is expected to have a more refined camera system, potentially with better image processing and low-light performance. While the Honor X20 likely has a high-resolution main sensor (potentially 64MP), Realme often excels at software optimization. Both phones likely include ultrawide and macro lenses. Detailed camera comparisons require extensive testing.
Performance
This is where the Honor X20 shines. The Mediatek Dimensity 900 is a considerably more powerful chipset than the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680. Expect noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the Honor X20. The Realme 9i will handle everyday tasks well, but may struggle with demanding games or heavy multitasking.
Battery Life
The Honor X20's 66W charging is a significant advantage, allowing for incredibly fast top-ups. The Realme 9i's 33W charging is still respectable, but will take longer to fully charge the battery. Both phones likely have a battery capacity around 4800-5000mAh, suggesting all-day battery life for moderate users.
Buying Guide
The Honor X20 is ideal for users prioritizing raw performance, gaming, and fast charging. The Realme 9i is a better fit for those seeking a smoother, more user-friendly experience with a focus on camera quality and a slightly more polished design.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Honor X20 is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful Dimensity 900 chipset.
❓ Does the Realme 9i have a good camera?
The Realme 9i is expected to have a well-optimized camera system, potentially offering better image quality and low-light performance than the Honor X20.
