Honor has been aggressively targeting the mid-range market with compelling devices. The X30 Max, with its focus on affordability, now faces a stronger competitor in the X50 GT, which prioritizes performance with a flagship-tier chipset. This comparison dissects the key differences between these two phones, helping you determine which best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing raw performance and faster charging, the Honor X50 GT is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset delivers a significantly more responsive experience, especially in demanding tasks. However, the X30 Max remains a viable option for budget-conscious users who prioritize value and don't need top-tier processing power.
| 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 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | LTE |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1x | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, October 28 | 2024, January 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, November 02 | Available. Released 2024, January 09 |
| 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) | 163.6 x 75.5 x 8 mm (6.44 x 2.97 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 228 g (8.04 oz) | 192 g (6.77 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2280 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~356 ppi density) | 1220 x 2652 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~431 ppi density) |
| Size | 7.09 inches, 125.5 cm2 (~84.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.78 inches, 112.6 cm2 (~91.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, HDR10 | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.5 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 900 (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G68 MC4 | Adreno 730 |
| OS | Android 11, Magic UI 5.0 | Android 13, MagicOS 7.2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.67", 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 | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | - |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, 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/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, ultrasound proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 22.5W wired | 35W wired
7.5W reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5800 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Silver/Violet | Black, Silver |
| Models | KKG-AN70 | ALP-AN00 |
| Price | About 320 EUR | About 260 EUR |
Honor X30 Max
- More affordable price point
- Potentially larger display size
- Decent performance for everyday tasks
- Significantly slower charging speed
- Less powerful chipset for gaming and demanding apps
- Less efficient processor leading to potential heat issues
Honor X50 GT
- Flagship-level Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 performance
- Faster 35W wired charging
- Reverse wired charging capability
- Higher price tag
- Potentially shorter battery life (depending on capacity)
- May run hotter under sustained load (though 4nm helps)
Display Comparison
Both phones likely feature LCD panels, a common trait in this price bracket. However, detailed display specs (resolution, refresh rate, peak brightness) are missing. The X30 Max's larger size suggests a focus on media consumption. Without specific data, it's difficult to assess color accuracy or viewing angles. The absence of LTPO technology on either device suggests a standard refresh rate, impacting smoothness compared to flagship phones.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is limited. However, the chipset plays a role in image processing speed. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1’s superior ISP (Image Signal Processor) in the X50 GT will likely result in faster image capture and potentially better low-light performance. The absence of information regarding sensor sizes and OIS makes it difficult to assess image quality definitively. We can assume both phones will feature a standard multi-camera setup, but the X50 GT’s processing power gives it an edge.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Honor X50 GT’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm) is a substantial upgrade over the X30 Max’s MediaTek Dimensity 900 (6nm). The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 features a Cortex-X2 prime core clocked at 3.0 GHz, alongside Cortex-A710 and A510 cores, offering significantly higher single-core and multi-core performance. The 4nm process node also translates to improved thermal efficiency, reducing throttling during sustained workloads. The Dimensity 900, while capable, is geared towards efficient everyday use, not demanding gaming or intensive applications. This difference will be most noticeable in graphically intensive games and video editing.
Battery Life
The Honor X50 GT’s 35W wired charging is a significant advantage over the X30 Max’s 22.5W charging. This translates to considerably faster charging times, reducing downtime. While battery capacity isn't specified, the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1’s efficiency could offset a potentially smaller battery in the X50 GT, providing comparable real-world battery life. The X50 GT also includes 7.5W reverse wired charging, a feature absent on the X30 Max, allowing it to charge other devices.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor X30 Max if you need a large-screen phone for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and video streaming, and are on a tight budget. You'll appreciate its affordability and decent battery life. Buy the Honor X50 GT if you prefer a smoother, more responsive experience for gaming, multitasking, and content creation, and are willing to spend a bit more for the significantly upgraded chipset and faster charging capabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in the X50 GT overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is a powerful chip, the 4nm manufacturing process significantly improves thermal efficiency compared to older generations. Honor likely incorporates thermal management solutions to mitigate heat. However, some throttling is still possible during extended, graphically demanding gaming, but it will be less severe than with the Dimensity 900 in the X30 Max.
❓ Is the 22.5W charging on the X30 Max slow enough to be a major inconvenience?
Yes, 22.5W charging is relatively slow by today's standards. Expect a significantly longer time to fully charge the X30 Max compared to the X50 GT's 35W charging. This is a key consideration if you frequently find yourself needing to top up your battery quickly.
❓ Does the X50 GT support high refresh rate gaming, like 90fps or 120fps in popular titles?
While the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is capable of driving high refresh rates, the display specifications of the X50 GT are unknown. If the display supports a high refresh rate (90Hz or 120Hz), then achieving 90fps or higher in many popular games is likely, but will depend on game optimization and graphics settings.
❓ How much of a performance difference will I realistically see between the two phones in everyday tasks?
For basic tasks like browsing, social media, and video playback, the performance difference will be minimal. However, when launching apps, multitasking, or editing photos/videos, the X50 GT will feel noticeably snappier and more responsive due to its superior chipset.
