The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the Honor X5 and the Infinix Hot 30i aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price point. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, primarily diverging in their chipset choices and charging capabilities. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Infinix Hot 30i emerges as the stronger contender. Its Unisoc T606 chipset, featuring Cortex-A75 cores, provides a noticeable performance edge over the Honor X5’s Helio G25, especially in multitasking and app loading. The inclusion of 18W charging further sweetens the deal, addressing a common pain point in this price segment.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, January 24 | 2023, March 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, February 14 | Available. Released 2023, March 31 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) | 164 x 75.8 x 8.4 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 193 g (6.81 oz) | 191 g (6.74 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 500 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio G25 (12 nm) | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G57 MP1 |
| OS | Android 12 (Go edition) | Android 12, XOS 10.6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/1.9, (wide), AF
0.08 MP, (depth) |
| Features | LED flash | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF | 13 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/3.07", AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Dual-LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.94" |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes (Hot 30i NFC only) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Sunrise Orange, Ocean Blue, Midnight Black | Mirror Black, Glacier Blue, Diamond White, Marigold |
| Models | VNA-LX2, VNA-LX3 | X669, X669D |
| Price | About 90 EUR | - |
Honor X5
- Potential for longer software support from Honor.
- Simple and reliable user experience.
- Likely a more conservative, natural image processing style.
- Inferior chipset performance compared to the Infinix Hot 30i.
- Slower charging speeds (likely 10W).
- Less responsive multitasking.
Infinix Hot 30i
- Superior chipset performance with Cortex-A75 cores.
- Faster 18W wired charging.
- More responsive app loading and multitasking.
- Potentially shorter software support lifecycle.
- Image processing may be overly saturated for some users.
- Brand recognition may be lower than Honor.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both utilize 12nm chipsets, suggesting similar power constraints impacting display capabilities. Specific display specs (resolution, panel type, brightness) are missing, but given the price bracket, expect 720p LCD panels. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity, but rather on basic usability. Bezels are likely comparable, and color accuracy will be standard for this segment.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar, relying heavily on software processing. Without sensor size or aperture details, it’s difficult to make definitive claims. Both devices likely feature a primary camera paired with auxiliary lenses of limited utility (often 2MP macro or depth sensors). Image quality will be acceptable in good lighting conditions, but expect struggles in low-light scenarios. The image processing style will likely differ – Honor tends towards more natural tones, while Infinix often boosts saturation.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Infinix Hot 30i’s Unisoc T606 utilizes 2x Cortex-A75 cores clocked at 1.6 GHz alongside 6x Cortex-A55 cores, also at 1.6 GHz. This configuration provides a significant advantage over the Honor X5’s MediaTek Helio G25, which employs 4x Cortex-A53 cores at 2.0 GHz and 4x Cortex-A53 cores at 1.5 GHz. The A75 cores in the T606 are architecturally superior, offering better single-core performance crucial for app responsiveness. While the G25 has a higher clock speed on some cores, the older A53 architecture is less efficient. This translates to a snappier experience on the Infinix Hot 30i, particularly when switching between apps or loading demanding content. The absence of LPDDR5x RAM information suggests both likely use LPDDR4X, further emphasizing the chipset as the primary performance differentiator.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device, but both will likely fall in the 5000mAh range, typical for this price point. However, the Infinix Hot 30i gains a significant advantage with its 18W wired charging support. The Honor X5 likely offers standard 10W charging, resulting in considerably longer 0-100% charge times. This faster charging capability on the Infinix Hot 30i is a practical benefit for users who need to quickly top up their battery throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor X5 if your primary need is a simple, reliable device for basic communication and light tasks, and you prioritize a potentially longer software support lifecycle from the Honor brand. Buy the Infinix Hot 30i if you value smoother performance for everyday use, enjoy faster charging, and are comfortable with a brand that frequently offers aggressive pricing and features.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc T606 in the Infinix Hot 30i handle popular games like PUBG Mobile?
The Unisoc T606 can run PUBG Mobile, but expect to play at lower graphics settings (Balanced or Low) to maintain a stable frame rate. The Helio G25 in the Honor X5 will struggle more with demanding titles, requiring even lower settings and potentially experiencing more lag.
❓ How much faster is the charging on the Infinix Hot 30i compared to the Honor X5?
The Infinix Hot 30i’s 18W charging will significantly reduce charging times. While exact 0-100% times are unavailable, expect the Infinix to charge roughly twice as fast as the Honor X5, which likely supports only 10W charging. This means less time tethered to a wall outlet.
❓ Is the difference in chipset performance noticeable in everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
Yes, the difference is noticeable. The Cortex-A75 cores in the Infinix Hot 30i’s Unisoc T606 provide a smoother and more responsive experience when browsing the web, scrolling through social media feeds, and opening apps compared to the Honor X5’s Helio G25.
❓ Which phone is likely to receive more software updates?
Honor generally has a better track record for providing software updates, though this isn't guaranteed. Infinix has been improving in this area, but Honor's established brand and resources give it a slight edge in terms of potential long-term software support.
