Looking for a budget-friendly smartphone that delivers a solid experience? The Honor X30 Max and Honor 8X Max are both contenders, offering large displays and decent features at an affordable price. But which one reigns supreme? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Honor X30 Max takes the crown thanks to its significantly more powerful Dimensity 900 chipset, offering a noticeable performance boost. While the 8X Max boasts reverse charging, the X30 Max's superior processing power and newer features make it the better overall choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 - Global |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1x | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, October 28 | 2018, September. Released 2018, September |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, November 02 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 174.4 x 84.9 x 8.3 mm (6.87 x 3.34 x 0.33 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 | 228 g (8.04 oz) | 210 g (7.41 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2280 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~356 ppi density) | 1080 x 2244 pixels, 18.7:9 ratio (~350 ppi density) |
| Size | 7.09 inches, 125.5 cm2 (~84.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 7.12 inches, 127.8 cm2 (~83.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, HDR10 | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x1.95 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 900 (6 nm) | Qualcomm SDM660 Snapdragon 660 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G68 MC4 | Adreno 512 |
| OS | Android 11, Magic UI 5.0 | Android 8.1 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 9 (Pie), EMUI 9 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 16 MP, f/2.0, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, 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 (side-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 | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Silver/Violet | Black, Blue, Red |
| Models | KKG-AN70 | ARE-AL00, ARE-L22HN, ARE-AL10 |
| Price | About 320 EUR | About 250 EUR |
Honor X30 Max
- Significantly faster performance
- More modern chipset
- Potentially better camera processing
- Likely more modern software features
- 22.5W charging is not as fast as some competitors
- May lack reverse charging
Honor 8X Max
- Affordable price
- Large display
- 5W reverse charging
- Outdated chipset
- Slower performance
- Potentially lower camera quality
- Older software
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large displays, but the X30 Max likely has a slightly more modern panel (likely LCD, but potentially with better color accuracy). The 8X Max's display is a tried-and-true LCD, offering good viewing angles but potentially lacking the vibrancy of newer technologies. Resolution is likely similar, around 1080p.
Camera Comparison
While specific camera specs are needed for a definitive answer, the X30 Max's newer chipset likely includes a more advanced image signal processor (ISP), potentially leading to better image quality, especially in low light. Both likely feature a multi-lens setup, but the X30 Max's processing advantage could be key.
Performance
This is where the X30 Max shines. The Dimensity 900 is a substantial upgrade over the Snapdragon 660. Expect significantly faster app loading times, smoother gaming, and better overall responsiveness on the X30 Max. The 8X Max is adequate for basic tasks but will struggle with demanding games or heavy multitasking.
Battery Life
Both phones have large batteries (likely around 5000mAh or greater). Battery life should be comparable under moderate usage. The 8X Max's 5W reverse charging is a unique feature, allowing it to charge other devices, but the X30 Max's more efficient chipset might offset this advantage.
Buying Guide
The Honor X30 Max is ideal for users who prioritize performance, smoother multitasking, and a more modern experience. The Honor 8X Max is a good option for those on a tighter budget who primarily need a large screen for media consumption and don't demand high-end performance, and appreciate the reverse charging feature.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Honor X30 Max worth the extra cost over the Honor 8X Max?
If performance is a priority, then yes. The X30 Max's Dimensity 900 chipset provides a significant upgrade. If you're on a very tight budget and only need basic functionality, the 8X Max is still a viable option.
❓ Does the Honor X30 Max support 5G?
Yes, the Honor X30 Max supports 5G connectivity, offering faster download and streaming speeds where available. The Honor 8X Max is a 4G-only device.
