Honor's X40 and 90 Smart represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive budget 5G smartphone market. The X40, leveraging Qualcomm's Snapdragon 695, faces off against the 90 Smart's MediaTek Dimensity 6020. This comparison dissects the core differences – from chipset architecture to charging speeds – to determine which device delivers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and a slightly faster charging experience, the Honor X40 emerges as the better choice. While the Dimensity 6020 in the 90 Smart offers a newer architecture, the Snapdragon 695's proven track record and 40W charging provide a more refined user experience.
| 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 / 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 / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1x | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, September 15 | 2024, April 09 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 15 | Available. Released 2024, April 12 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 161.6 x 73.9 x 7.9 mm (6.36 x 2.91 x 0.31 in) | 166.7 x 76.5 x 8.2 mm (6.56 x 3.01 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 172 g (6.07 oz) | 199 g (7.02 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~389 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~89.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 111.3 cm2 (~87.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM) | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 850 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 6020 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12, Magic UI 6.1 | Android 13, Magic OS 7.2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | - |
| Triple | - | 108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | - |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | No | 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, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 40W wired | 35W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5100 mAh | Li-Po 5330 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Green, Silver | Emerald Green, Midnight Black |
| Models | RMO-AN00 | CLK-NX1, CLK-NX3 |
| Price | About 210 EUR | About 170 EUR |
Honor X40
- Faster 40W charging
- Proven Snapdragon 695 performance
- Potentially better power efficiency
- Older chipset architecture
- May be slightly more expensive
Honor 90 Smart
- More modern Dimensity 6020 chipset
- Potentially lower price
- 7nm process (theoretical efficiency)
- Slower 35W charging
- Dimensity 6020 performance consistency is unproven
Display Comparison
Both devices likely feature LCD panels, common in this price bracket, but specific details like resolution and refresh rate are missing. The focus here is on internal processing. Display quality will likely be similar, with neither offering high-end features like OLED or high refresh rates. Bezels are expected to be moderate on both, typical for budget devices.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is difficult. However, both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup with a primary sensor and supporting lenses. The image processing capabilities of Qualcomm’s ISP in the Snapdragon 695 are well-established, potentially offering more consistent results. The Dimensity 6020’s ISP is newer, but its performance in budget devices remains to be seen. Expect both to struggle in low-light conditions, and avoid placing too much emphasis on any 2MP macro or depth sensors.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Honor X40’s Snapdragon 695 (6nm) utilizes Kryo 660 cores, offering a balance of performance and efficiency. The Honor 90 Smart’s Dimensity 6020 (7nm) employs Cortex-A76 and A55 cores. While the 7nm process *should* theoretically offer better efficiency, the Snapdragon 695 benefits from Qualcomm’s optimizations and a more mature software ecosystem. The Dimensity 6020’s Cortex-A76 cores provide a performance boost over the A55s, but the Snapdragon 695’s Kryo 660 Gold cores are generally more competitive. This translates to smoother multitasking and potentially better sustained performance in the X40.
Battery Life
The Honor X40’s 40W wired charging is a clear advantage over the 90 Smart’s 35W charging. This translates to faster top-ups, reducing downtime. While battery capacity isn't specified, the Snapdragon 695’s 6nm process contributes to better power efficiency, potentially offsetting any capacity differences. The X40 will likely achieve a 0-100% charge in under an hour, while the 90 Smart will take slightly longer.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor X40 if you need a reliable performer for everyday tasks, streaming, and light gaming, and value a slightly faster charging solution. Buy the Honor 90 Smart if you prioritize a more modern chipset architecture and are willing to potentially trade off some performance consistency for a potentially lower price point, and are less concerned about peak charging speeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Dimensity 6020 in the Honor 90 Smart overheat during extended gaming sessions?
While the Dimensity 6020 is a capable chipset, its thermal performance in the Honor 90 Smart is unknown. Budget phones often lack sophisticated cooling solutions, so prolonged gaming could lead to throttling. The Snapdragon 695 in the X40, with Qualcomm’s optimizations, may handle heat slightly better.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge each phone from 0%?
The Honor X40, with its 40W charging, should reach 100% in approximately 50-60 minutes. The Honor 90 Smart, with 35W charging, will likely take closer to 70-80 minutes for a full charge. This difference is significant for users who prioritize quick top-ups.
❓ Is the performance difference between the Snapdragon 695 and Dimensity 6020 noticeable in everyday use?
For basic tasks like browsing, social media, and messaging, the performance difference will be minimal. However, when multitasking or running demanding apps, the Snapdragon 695 in the X40 is likely to offer a smoother and more consistent experience due to Qualcomm’s optimizations.
