Honor X50 vs Google Pixel 7a: Which Mid-Range Champion Reigns Supreme?

The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Honor X50 and Google Pixel 7a represent compelling options. The X50 focuses on delivering a solid all-around experience at an aggressive price point, while the Pixel 7a leverages Google’s Tensor G2 chip and renowned camera expertise. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing camera quality and software experience, the Google Pixel 7a is the superior choice. Its Tensor G2 chipset and exceptional image processing deliver consistently impressive results. However, the Honor X50 offers excellent value and a larger battery, making it a strong contender for budget-conscious buyers.

PHONES
Phone Names Honor X50 Google Pixel 7a
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bandsLTE1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71 - GWKK3, G0DZQ
5G bandsSA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GWKK3
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GHL1X, G82U8
Launch
Announced2023, July 052023, May 10
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, July 05Available. Released 2023, May 10
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back
Dimensions163.6 x 75.5 x 8 mm (6.44 x 2.97 x 0.31 in)152 x 72.9 x 9 mm (5.98 x 2.87 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight185 g (6.53 oz)193.5 g (6.84 oz)
 -IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution1220 x 2652 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~431 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~429 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 112.6 cm2 (~91.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.1 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1200 nits (peak)OLED, HDR, 90Hz
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM6450 Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4 nm)Google Tensor G2 (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 710Mali-G710 MP7
OSAndroid 13, Magic OS 7.1Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 3.1
Main Camera
Dual108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.67", PDAF 2 MP (macro)64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRDual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, OIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR, panorama
Single8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)13 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -No
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYes-
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging35W wired 6W reverse wired18W wired, PD3.0 7.5W wireless
TypeLi-Po 5800 mAhLi-Po 4385 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Blue, Silver, OrangeCharcoal, Snow, Sea, Coral
ModelsALI-AN00GWKK3, GHL1X, G0DZQ, G82U8
PriceAbout 180 EUR€ 179.90 / $ 150.00 / £ 170.00 / ₹ 25,980

Honor X50

  • Faster 35W charging
  • Potentially longer battery life
  • More affordable price point

  • Less powerful processor
  • Inferior camera performance (likely)
  • Less refined software experience

Google Pixel 7a

  • Superior camera quality
  • More powerful Tensor G2 chipset
  • Smoother software experience with guaranteed updates

  • Slower 18W charging
  • Higher price
  • Potentially shorter battery life

Display Comparison

The Pixel 7a boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 1070 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the Honor X50. This translates to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While the X50’s panel technology isn’t specified, the Pixel 7a’s OLED panel delivers vibrant colors and deep blacks. Both likely utilize a standard 60Hz refresh rate, but the Pixel 7a’s superior brightness and color accuracy give it a clear edge for media consumption and everyday use.

Camera Comparison

The Pixel 7a’s camera system is a major strength. While specific sensor details are missing for both, Google’s computational photography prowess, powered by the Tensor G2, elevates image quality significantly. The Pixel 7a excels in dynamic range, low-light performance, and overall image clarity. The Honor X50 likely relies more on hardware specifications, and without knowing those details, it’s difficult to assess its capabilities. The Pixel 7a’s video recording capabilities are also expected to be superior, benefiting from the Tensor G2’s image signal processor.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Google Pixel 7a’s Tensor G2 (5nm) features a prime Cortex-X1 core clocked at 2.85 GHz, offering significantly higher peak performance than the Honor X50’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4nm). While the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 is efficient, its Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.2 GHz are less powerful. The Tensor G2’s 5nm process also contributes to better thermal management under sustained loads. This means the Pixel 7a will handle demanding tasks like video editing and gaming more smoothly. The X50 will be adequate for everyday tasks, but will show its limitations in more intensive scenarios.

Battery Life

The Honor X50’s 35W wired charging is considerably faster than the Pixel 7a’s 18W charging. This means the X50 can replenish its battery much quicker. While the Pixel 7a has an endurance rating of 76 hours, this is a lab test and doesn’t reflect real-world usage. The X50’s larger battery capacity (unspecified, but likely larger than the Pixel 7a’s) combined with the efficient Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 should provide excellent battery life. The X50 also offers 6W reverse wired charging, a feature absent on the Pixel 7a.

Buying Guide

Buy the Honor X50 if you need a long-lasting battery, prioritize value for money, and are comfortable with a less refined software experience. It’s ideal for users who consume a lot of media and don’t demand the absolute best in mobile gaming or photography. Buy the Google Pixel 7a if you prefer a premium camera experience, seamless software updates, and the power of Google’s AI features. It’s best suited for photography enthusiasts and users who rely heavily on Google’s ecosystem.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 in the Honor X50 struggle with graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact?
While the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 is capable, it's not designed for demanding titles like Genshin Impact. You'll likely need to lower graphics settings to achieve playable frame rates. The Pixel 7a’s Tensor G2 will provide a smoother gaming experience at higher settings.
❓ How does Google's software update policy on the Pixel 7a compare to Honor's support for the X50?
Google guarantees at least 3 years of Android OS updates and 5 years of security updates for the Pixel 7a. Honor’s update policy is less consistent and typically offers fewer years of support. This means the Pixel 7a will remain secure and feature-rich for a longer period.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the Pixel 7a slow compared to the 35W on the Honor X50 in real-world use?
Yes, the difference is noticeable. While 18W isn't *slow*, the Honor X50 can go from 0-100% much faster. Expect around 90-120 minutes for a full charge on the Pixel 7a, versus potentially 60-80 minutes on the X50.