The smartphone market is brimming with options, and choosing the right one can be overwhelming. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Honor X30, a more modern offering, and the Xiaomi Mi Max 3, a champion of battery life. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to see which phone emerges victorious.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Honor X30 wins overall thanks to its significantly faster processor, faster charging, and more modern features. However, the Xiaomi Mi Max 3 remains a compelling choice for those prioritizing extreme battery life and a large display, especially at a potentially lower price point.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1x | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, December 16 | 2018, July. Released 2018, July |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, December 25 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 166.1 x 75.8 x 8.1 mm (6.54 x 2.98 x 0.32 in) | 176.2 x 87.4 x 8 mm (6.94 x 3.44 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 189 g (6.67 oz) | 221 g (7.80 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | To be confirmed |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~385 ppi density) | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~350 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.81 inches, 112.3 cm2 (~89.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.9 inches, 122.9 cm2 (~79.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SDM636 Snapdragon 636 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 509 |
| OS | Android 11, Magic UI 5.0 | Android 8.1 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 12 MP, f/1.9, 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5 | - |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 720p/1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS), 720p@120fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5 | 8 MP, f/2.0, 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C |
| 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, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 66W wired, 80% in 30 min | 18W wired, QC3 |
| Type | Li-Po 4800 mAh | Li-Ion 5500 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Silver, Gold | Black, Champagne Gold, Blue |
| Models | ANY-AN00 | M1804E4A |
| Price | About 210 EUR | About 310 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.58 W/kg (head) 1.42 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.7dB / Crosstalk -94.0dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 115h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1462 (nominal), 3.061 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 68dB / Noise 71dB / Ring 83dB
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 119229 (v7)
GeekBench: 4907 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 6fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Honor X30
- Faster Processor (Snapdragon 695 5G)
- 66W Fast Charging
- More Modern Design
- Likely better camera processing
- Potentially shorter battery life than Mi Max 3
- Smaller battery capacity
Xiaomi Mi Max 3
- Exceptional Battery Life (115h endurance rating)
- Large Display (6.93 inches)
- Potentially lower price
- Older Chipset (Snapdragon 636)
- Slower Charging (18W)
- Outdated Design
- Likely inferior camera performance
Display Comparison
The Xiaomi Mi Max 3 boasts a massive 6.93-inch display, offering ample screen real estate. Its contrast ratio of 1462 (nominal) and 3.061 (sunlight) is impressive, providing good visibility even in bright conditions. The Honor X30, while having a smaller 6.8-inch display, likely benefits from more modern display technology (e.g., OLED vs. LCD, though this is not explicitly stated) potentially offering better color accuracy and vibrancy. Resolution and refresh rate are key factors not specified, but the X30 likely has an advantage here.
Camera Comparison
Camera specifications are vague for both devices, simply listed as 'Photo / Video'. However, given the newer chipset in the Honor X30, it's likely to offer better image processing and potentially improved low-light performance. The Mi Max 3's camera is likely adequate but won't compete with more modern smartphone cameras. Further research into specific camera specs would be needed for a more definitive comparison.
Performance
Here, the Honor X30 takes a clear lead. Its Snapdragon 695 5G chipset, built on a 6nm process, is significantly more powerful than the Mi Max 3's Snapdragon 636 (14nm). This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance. The X30's CPU configuration also suggests improved efficiency and responsiveness.
Battery Life
The Xiaomi Mi Max 3 shines in this category. Its endurance rating of 115 hours is exceptional, indicating outstanding battery life. The Honor X30, while offering 66W fast charging (a significant advantage), likely has a smaller battery capacity than the Mi Max 3, meaning it won't last as long on a single charge despite the faster charging speed.
Buying Guide
The Honor X30 is ideal for users who value performance, fast charging, and a more contemporary design. The Xiaomi Mi Max 3 is best suited for those who prioritize long battery life above all else and appreciate a large screen for media consumption and productivity, and are comfortable with an older device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Honor X30 worth the extra cost over the Xiaomi Mi Max 3?
If performance and fast charging are priorities, the Honor X30 is worth the investment. However, if battery life is your absolute top concern and you're on a tight budget, the Mi Max 3 remains a viable option.
❓ What is the difference in performance between the Snapdragon 695 and the Snapdragon 636?
The Snapdragon 695 is significantly faster and more efficient than the Snapdragon 636, thanks to its newer architecture and smaller manufacturing process (6nm vs 14nm). This results in noticeable improvements in app loading times, multitasking, and gaming performance.
