The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Honor X5 Plus and Oppo A78 4G both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price point. However, they take distinctly different approaches to achieving this, particularly in chipset choice and charging technology. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which phone offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Oppo A78 4G emerges as the stronger choice. While the Honor X5 Plus offers a functional experience, the Oppo A78 4G’s significantly faster 67W charging and more efficient Snapdragon 680 chipset provide a smoother, more convenient daily experience, justifying the potentially slight price premium.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, August 16 | 2023, July 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, August | Available. Released 2023, July 10 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 163.3 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm (6.43 x 2.96 x 0.33 in) | 160 x 73.2 x 7.9 mm (6.30 x 2.88 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 188 g (6.63 oz) | 180 g (6.35 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~85.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD, 90Hz | AMOLED, 90Hz, 430 nits |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G36 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 13, MagicOS 7.1 | Android 13, ColorOS 13.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | 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, proximity | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 67W wired, PD, 76% in 30 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5200 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Cyan Lake, Midnight Black | Mist Black, Aqua Green |
| Models | WOD-LX1, WOD-LX2, WOD-LX3 | CPH2565 |
| Price | About 100 EUR | About 200 EUR |
Honor X5 Plus
- Potentially lower price point
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Slow 10W charging
- Less efficient Helio G36 chipset
- Likely lower performance in demanding apps
Oppo A78 4G
- 67W SuperVOOC charging – incredibly fast
- More efficient Snapdragon 680 chipset
- Better overall performance and responsiveness
- Potentially better camera image processing
- May be slightly more expensive
- Still a budget device with inherent limitations
Display Comparison
Neither Honor nor Oppo provide display specifications beyond the basic resolution. However, the core difference lies beneath the surface. The lack of detailed display specs suggests both utilize standard LCD panels. The real differentiator will be color calibration and brightness, which are not provided. Without this data, it's difficult to declare a clear winner, but the Oppo A78 4G’s brand reputation suggests slightly better panel quality.
Camera Comparison
Both phones likely feature similar camera setups focused on affordability. Without detailed sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 680 generally offers superior image processing capabilities compared to the ISP found in the Helio G36. This means the Oppo A78 4G is likely to produce more detailed and vibrant photos, especially in challenging lighting conditions. The prevalence of 2MP macro lenses on both devices suggests they are largely marketing features and offer limited practical benefit.
Performance
The performance gap between these two devices is substantial. The Oppo A78 4G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 (6nm) is built on a more modern and efficient process node than the Honor X5 Plus’s MediaTek Helio G36 (12nm). This translates to better power efficiency and sustained performance. The Snapdragon 680’s Kryo 265 Gold cores, clocked at 2.4 GHz, offer a noticeable speed advantage over the Helio G36’s Cortex-A53 cores peaking at 2.2 GHz. While both are octa-core CPUs, the architectural differences and process node give the Snapdragon a clear edge in multitasking and app responsiveness. The 6nm process also means less heat generation, potentially leading to more consistent performance during prolonged use.
Battery Life
The Oppo A78 4G’s 67W wired charging is the standout feature here. This allows for a 76% charge in just 30 minutes, a massive advantage over the Honor X5 Plus’s slow 10W charging. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the Snapdragon 680’s superior efficiency means the Oppo A78 4G will likely deliver comparable or better battery life despite potentially having a smaller battery. The convenience of rapid charging significantly outweighs a potentially larger battery capacity charged at a snail's pace.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor X5 Plus if your primary need is a basic smartphone for essential tasks like calls, messaging, and light social media, and you prioritize minimizing upfront cost above all else. Buy the Oppo A78 4G if you value faster charging speeds, a more responsive user experience thanks to the Snapdragon 680, and are willing to spend a little more for a phone that feels less constrained in everyday use.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ How much faster is the Oppo A78 4G's charging compared to the Honor X5 Plus?
The Oppo A78 4G's 67W charging is dramatically faster. It can reach 76% charge in 30 minutes, while the Honor X5 Plus's 10W charging will take several hours to fully charge the device. This difference is particularly noticeable for users who frequently need to top up their battery throughout the day.
❓ Will the Snapdragon 680 in the Oppo A78 4G handle gaming better than the Helio G36 in the Honor X5 Plus?
Yes, the Snapdragon 680 is significantly better suited for gaming. Its more powerful CPU and GPU, combined with the more efficient 6nm process, will deliver smoother frame rates and more consistent performance in most mobile games. The Helio G36 will struggle with more demanding titles.
❓ Is the difference in chipset efficiency noticeable in everyday use?
Absolutely. The Snapdragon 680's 6nm process is far more efficient than the Helio G36's 12nm process. This translates to longer battery life and less heat generation during typical tasks like browsing, social media, and video streaming. You'll likely notice the Oppo A78 4G feels more responsive and stays cooler for longer.
