Honor X50 Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy S23+: A Deep Dive into Performance and Value

The Honor X50 Pro arrives as a compelling mid-range contender, leveraging last year’s flagship silicon. But how does it stack up against the still-potent Samsung Galaxy S23+, which boasts the newer Snapdragon 8 Gen 2? This comparison dissects the key differences to help you decide which phone delivers the best experience for your needs and budget.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Samsung Galaxy S23+ is the superior choice. While the Honor X50 Pro offers excellent value, the S23+'s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 provides a noticeable performance uplift, superior battery endurance (111h rating), and the added convenience of wireless charging. The S23+ justifies its higher price with a more refined overall experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Honor X50 Pro Samsung Galaxy S23+
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (Dual SIM model only)
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bandsLTE1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bandsSA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE-A (up to 7CA), 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 -1, 7, 28, 41, 66, 71, 78, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA
Launch
Announced2023, December 292023, February 01
StatusCancelledAvailable. Released 2023, February 17
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame
Dimensions163.6 x 75.5 x 8 mm (6.44 x 2.97 x 0.31 in)157.8 x 76.2 x 7.6 mm (6.21 x 3.00 x 0.30 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM and eSIM or Dual SIM (2 Nano-SIMs and eSIM, dual stand-by)
Weight192 g (6.77 oz)196 g (6.91 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Armor aluminum frame with tougher drop and scratch resistance (advertised)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Resolution1220 x 2652 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~431 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~393 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 112.6 cm2 (~91.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.6 inches, 105.3 cm2 (~87.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 120HzDynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1200 nits (HBM), 1750 nits (peak)
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.5 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 730Adreno 740
OSAndroid 14Android 13, One UI 5.1
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 4.0
Main Camera
Dual108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.67", PDAF Auxiliary lens-
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, auto-HDR, panorama
Triple-50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS 10 MP, f/2.4, 70mm (telephoto), 1/3.94", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55" 1.4µm, Super Steady video
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 1080p@960fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Features-Dual video call, Auto-HDR, HDR10+
Single8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), Dual Pixel PDAF
Video1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -No
35mm jackNo-
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 -32-bit/384kHz audio Tuned by AKG
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, ultrasound proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 -Samsung DeX, Samsung Wireless DeX (desktop experience support) Bixby natural language commands and dictation Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified) Ultra Wideband (UWB) support
Battery
Charging35W wired 7.5W reverse wired45W wired, PD3.0, 65% in 30 min (advertised) 15W wireless (Qi/PMA) 4.5W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 5800 mAhLi-Ion 4700 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsBlack, GreenPhantom Black, Cream, Green, Lavender, Graphite, Lime
ModelsALP-AN00SM-S916B, SM-S916B/DS, SM-S916U, SM-S916U1, SM-S916W, SM-S916N, SM-S9160, SM-S916E, SM-S916E/DS
PriceAbout 360 EUR$ 780.00 / C$ 1,399.99 / £ 919.08 / € 1,185.89 / ₹ 94,999
SAR-0.95 W/kg (head)     1.04 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.77 W/kg (head)     1.45 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life-Endurance rating 111h
Camera-Photo / Video
Display-Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker--26.5 LUFS (Good)
Performance-AnTuTu: 1234077 (v9) GeekBench: 5073 (v5.1) GFXBench: 110fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Honor X50 Pro

  • Excellent value for the price
  • Powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor
  • Fast 35W wired charging

  • Lacks wireless charging
  • Potentially less refined software experience
  • Limited camera information

Samsung Galaxy S23+

  • Superior performance with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
  • Excellent battery life (111h endurance)
  • Wireless and reverse wireless charging

  • Higher price point
  • May be overkill for basic users
  • Charging speed not dramatically faster than X50 Pro

Display Comparison

The Galaxy S23+ boasts an 'Infinite' contrast ratio, suggesting a high-quality OLED panel, though specific peak brightness data is missing. The Honor X50 Pro’s display specs are not provided, making a direct comparison difficult. However, Samsung’s displays are generally known for their color accuracy and outdoor visibility. The S23+'s likely higher peak brightness will translate to a better viewing experience in direct sunlight. The absence of LTPO information for the X50 Pro suggests it may lack the adaptive refresh rate technology found in many flagships, potentially impacting battery life during dynamic content viewing.

Camera Comparison

Detailed camera specs for the Honor X50 Pro are unavailable, hindering a precise comparison. However, the Samsung Galaxy S23+ is expected to feature a sophisticated camera system with advanced image processing. The S23+'s likely larger main sensor and optical image stabilization (OIS) will deliver superior low-light performance and sharper images. While the X50 Pro may offer a competitive camera experience, the S23+’s established reputation and advanced features give it an edge. We can assume the S23+ will offer more versatile video recording capabilities.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy S23+’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) represents a significant architectural leap over the Honor X50 Pro’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm). The Gen 2 features the newer Cortex-X3 prime core clocked at 3.36 GHz versus the X50 Pro’s 3.0 GHz Cortex-X2. This, combined with improvements to the A715 and A710 cores in the Gen 2, results in faster processing speeds and improved efficiency. While both are 4nm chips, the Gen 2’s architecture minimizes thermal throttling during sustained workloads, making it the better choice for demanding tasks like video editing and prolonged gaming. The S23+ also benefits from potentially faster LPDDR5x RAM, further enhancing performance.

Battery Life

The Samsung Galaxy S23+ boasts an endurance rating of 111 hours, indicating excellent battery life. The Honor X50 Pro’s battery capacity is not specified, but its 35W wired charging is slower than the S23+'s 45W wired charging (advertised 65% in 30 minutes). The S23+ also adds the convenience of 15W wireless charging and 4.5W reverse wireless charging, features absent on the X50 Pro. While the X50 Pro offers 7.5W reverse wired charging, the S23+'s wireless capabilities provide greater flexibility. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s improved efficiency further contributes to the S23+'s longer battery life.

Buying Guide

Buy the Honor X50 Pro if you prioritize maximizing performance-per-dollar and are comfortable with a slightly less polished software experience and slower charging. It’s ideal for gamers on a budget and those who don’t require wireless charging. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S23+ if you value a consistently smooth experience, longer battery life, faster charging speeds, and the convenience of wireless charging, even at a higher price point. It’s the better choice for power users and those invested in the Samsung ecosystem.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in the Honor X50 Pro throttle under sustained gaming loads?
While the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is a capable chip, it is more prone to thermal throttling than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. Expect some performance reduction during extended gaming sessions, particularly with graphically demanding titles. The X50 Pro may require active cooling solutions for optimal sustained performance.
❓ How does the charging speed of the Samsung Galaxy S23+ compare to real-world usage?
Samsung advertises 65% charge in 30 minutes with 45W charging. Real-world results may vary depending on ambient temperature and battery level, but it consistently outperforms the Honor X50 Pro’s 35W charging. The S23+'s wireless charging adds convenience, though it's slower than wired charging.
❓ Is the lack of wireless charging on the Honor X50 Pro a significant drawback?
For users accustomed to the convenience of wireless charging, the absence of this feature on the X50 Pro is a notable omission. It requires relying solely on the wired charging port, which may be less convenient for some.
❓ What kind of software support can I expect from Honor compared to Samsung?
Samsung generally provides longer software support (updates and security patches) than Honor. While Honor has improved its software commitment, Samsung remains the leader in this area, offering a more secure and feature-rich long-term software experience.