The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Honor X5b Plus and Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro 4G both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price. However, they take different approaches: the X5b Plus focuses on a minimalist experience, while the Poco M6 Pro 4G prioritizes performance and fast charging. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro 4G is the superior choice. Its significantly more powerful Helio G99 Ultra chipset, coupled with 67W fast charging and a brighter display, offers a smoother and more convenient experience. While the Honor X5b Plus is more affordable, the performance trade-offs are substantial.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, October 22 | 2024, January 11 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, October | Available. Released 2024, January 12 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 163.9 x 75.8 x 8.7 mm (6.45 x 2.98 x 0.34 in) | 161.1 x 75 x 8 mm (6.34 x 2.95 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 194 g (6.84 oz) | 179 g (6.31 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 (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~88.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD, 90Hz, 530 nits (HBM) | AMOLED, 120Hz, 1000 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G36 (12 nm) | Mediatek Helio G99 Ultra |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 14, Magic OS 8 | Android 13, MIUI 14, planned upgrade to Android 14, HyperOS |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Triple | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with dual speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| 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, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 67W wired, 100% in 44 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5200 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Ocean Blue, Starry Purple, Midnight Black | Black, Blue, Purple |
| Models | GFY-LX2P, GFY-LX2 | 2312FPCA6G |
| Price | About 100 EUR | $ 170.00 |
| SAR | - | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.09 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.99 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) |
Honor X5b Plus
- Lower price point
- Potentially longer standby time (due to less powerful chipset)
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Significantly slower performance
- Extremely slow charging (10W)
- Likely lower display brightness
Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro 4G
- Much faster performance
- 67W fast charging (44 minutes to full)
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
- Better camera image processing
- Slightly higher price
- Potentially shorter battery life in heavy use (offset by fast charging)
Display Comparison
The Poco M6 Pro 4G boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1053 nits. This is crucial for outdoor visibility, a common pain point on budget devices. The Honor X5b Plus’s display specifications are not provided, suggesting a lower peak brightness. While both likely utilize LCD panels, the Poco’s higher brightness translates to a more usable experience in direct sunlight. Bezels are likely comparable given the price points, but the brightness difference is a clear win for the Poco.
Camera Comparison
Both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup, but details are limited for the Honor X5b Plus. The Poco M6 Pro 4G’s camera capabilities are not fully detailed in the provided data, but the presence of 'Photo / Video' suggests a focus on versatility. It’s reasonable to assume the Poco will offer better image quality due to its more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor) integrated within the Helio G99 Ultra. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit due to the small sensor size and lack of optical image stabilization (OIS).
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Poco M6 Pro 4G’s Mediatek Helio G99 Ultra, with its 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 cores and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, is a substantial upgrade over the Honor X5b Plus’s Helio G36. The G36 utilizes older Cortex-A53 cores across all eight cores, resulting in noticeably slower processing speeds. This difference will be apparent in app loading times, multitasking, and gaming. The G99 Ultra’s architecture is more efficient, leading to better sustained performance and potentially less thermal throttling. While both phones likely feature similar RAM configurations, the chipset’s inherent power advantage favors the Poco.
Battery Life
The Poco M6 Pro 4G shines in the battery and charging department. While the exact battery capacity isn’t specified, its active use score of 11:46h demonstrates excellent endurance. More importantly, the 67W wired charging capability is a game-changer, achieving a full charge in just 44 minutes. The Honor X5b Plus, with its 10W charging, will take significantly longer to charge, potentially several hours. This difference in charging speed dramatically impacts the user experience, making the Poco far more convenient for users who need to quickly top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor X5b Plus if you prioritize absolute affordability and only need a phone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media. It's a good option for first-time smartphone users or those on a very tight budget. Buy the Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro 4G if you value performance for gaming, streaming, or multitasking, and appreciate the convenience of incredibly fast charging. It’s ideal for users who want a responsive experience without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Helio G99 Ultra in the Poco M6 Pro 4G capable of running demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Helio G99 Ultra is a capable chipset for gaming. While it won't deliver flagship-level performance, it can comfortably run PUBG Mobile at medium to high settings with stable frame rates. The improved CPU and GPU architecture compared to the Helio G36 in the Honor X5b Plus make a significant difference in gaming performance.
❓ How much faster is the 67W charging on the Poco M6 Pro 4G compared to the 10W charging on the Honor X5b Plus in real-world use?
The difference is substantial. The Poco M6 Pro 4G can go from 0% to 100% in approximately 44 minutes. The Honor X5b Plus, with its 10W charging, will likely take over 3 hours to achieve a full charge. This means you can quickly top up the Poco M6 Pro 4G during short breaks, while the Honor X5b Plus requires overnight charging.
❓ Does the Poco M6 Pro 4G support VoLTE and VoWiFi for improved call quality?
While not explicitly stated in the provided data, Xiaomi Poco devices generally support VoLTE (Voice over LTE) and VoWiFi (Voice over Wi-Fi) depending on carrier compatibility. It's highly likely the Poco M6 Pro 4G includes these features, offering improved call quality and network connectivity in areas with weak cellular signals.
