The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Honor X6 and Realme 9i 5G represent two distinct approaches: the Honor X6 focuses on delivering a functional experience at the lowest possible price, while the Realme 9i 5G attempts to inject 5G connectivity and a more modern chipset into the same budget bracket. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme 9i 5G is the better choice. Its Mediatek Dimensity 810 chipset provides a substantial performance uplift over the Honor X6’s Helio G25, and the 18W charging is a significant convenience. However, the Honor X6 remains a viable option for those prioritizing absolute affordability and minimal smartphone needs.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 19, 20, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 5, 7, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, September 21 | 2022, August 18 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 21 | Available. Released 2022, August 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 163.7 x 75.1 x 8.7 mm (6.44 x 2.96 x 0.34 in) | 164.4 x 75.1 x 8.1 mm (6.47 x 2.96 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 194 g (6.84 oz) | 187 g (6.60 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Panda Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12, Magic UI 6.1 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, Realme UI 4.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide) |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
Unspecified MP, 46mm (telephoto)
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (VNE-LX1 only) | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Ocean Blue, Titanium Silver, Midnight Black | Soulful Blue, Rocking Black, Gold |
| Models | VNE-LX1, VNE-LX2, VNE-LX3 | RMX3612 |
| Price | About 100 EUR | About 180 EUR |
Honor X6
- Lowest possible price point
- Reliable for basic tasks
- Potentially better battery life due to less powerful chipset
- Significantly slower performance
- Slow 10W charging
- Limited 5G connectivity
Realme 9i 5G
- Faster 5G connectivity
- Significantly better performance
- Faster 18W charging
- Higher price than Honor X6
- Potentially shorter battery life under heavy use
- May require more frequent software updates
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, a common cost-saving measure in this segment. However, details like peak brightness and color accuracy are unavailable. The Realme 9i 5G’s advantage lies in its potential for smoother scrolling and responsiveness due to the more powerful chipset driving the display. The Honor X6’s display is likely optimized for power efficiency, given the limited 10W charging.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is difficult. However, it’s safe to assume both phones feature basic camera setups. The Realme 9i 5G likely benefits from the image signal processor (ISP) within the Dimensity 810, potentially offering better image processing and noise reduction. The Honor X6’s camera performance will likely be adequate for casual snapshots in good lighting conditions, but will struggle in low-light scenarios. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing gimmick and shouldn’t be a deciding factor.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Realme 9i 5G’s Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Honor X6’s Helio G25 (12nm). The Dimensity 810 features a more modern CPU architecture – Cortex-A76 cores versus the X6’s Cortex-A53 – resulting in significantly faster application loading times and smoother multitasking. The 6nm process also translates to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling under sustained load. The Honor X6 will struggle with anything beyond basic tasks, while the Realme 9i 5G can handle moderate gaming and more demanding applications.
Battery Life
While battery capacity isn’t specified, the Realme 9i 5G’s 18W charging is a clear advantage over the Honor X6’s 10W charging. This translates to significantly faster top-up times, reducing downtime. Even with a similar battery capacity, the Dimensity 810’s 6nm process contributes to better power efficiency, potentially extending the Realme 9i 5G’s battery life. The Honor X6 will require longer charging times and may not last a full day with moderate usage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor X6 if you need a phone primarily for basic communication – calls, texts, and light social media – and are on an extremely tight budget. It’s a reliable device for essential tasks. Buy the Realme 9i 5G if you want a phone capable of handling more demanding apps, occasional gaming, and benefit from the future-proofing of 5G connectivity, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Realme 9i 5G overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Mediatek Dimensity 810’s 6nm process and likely adequate thermal design should prevent significant overheating during moderate gaming. However, demanding titles at maximum settings may still cause some throttling to maintain safe operating temperatures. The Honor X6’s Helio G25 will likely throttle much more aggressively.
❓ Is the 5G connectivity on the Realme 9i 5G actually useful if 5G coverage is limited in my area?
Even with limited 5G coverage, the Realme 9i 5G will fall back to 4G LTE. The 5G modem provides future-proofing and potentially faster speeds when 5G is available. The Honor X6 lacks this future-proofing, being limited to 4G LTE.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Honor X6 from 0%?
With only 10W charging, expect a full charge to take approximately 3-4 hours, potentially longer depending on usage during charging. This is a significant drawback compared to the Realme 9i 5G’s faster charging.
