The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Honor X6b and Samsung Galaxy A15 are two strong contenders. The X6b leverages Qualcomm's newer, more efficient Snapdragon 4 Gen 2, while the A15 relies on MediaTek's Helio G99. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device delivers the best experience for the price.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Honor X6b emerges as the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset, built on a 4nm process, provides a noticeable performance edge and better thermal efficiency compared to the Galaxy A15's Helio G99. While the A15 boasts impressive battery life, the X6b's faster charging and overall responsiveness make it the more compelling option.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, June | 2023, December 11 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, June | Available. Released 2023, December 16 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 166.9 x 76.8 x 8.1 mm (6.57 x 3.02 x 0.32 in) | 160.1 x 76.8 x 8.4 mm (6.30 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 191 g or 193 g (6.74 oz) | 200 g (7.05 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Aluminosilicate glass | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1610 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~261 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~396 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.77 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 103.7 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD, 120Hz, 850 nits (peak) | Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 800 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4450 Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 (4 nm) | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 613 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 14, MagicOS 8 | Android 14, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.64µm, PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 17mm (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | No | FM radio (market/region dependent) |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 35W wired
Reverse wired | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5200 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Black, Forest Green | Brave Black, Optimistic Blue, Magical Blue, Personality Yellow |
| Models | - | SM-A155F, SM-A155F/DSN, SM-A155M, SM-A155M/DS, SM-A155P, SM-A155R |
| Price | - | € 168.99 / $ 125.00 / £ 113.00 |
| SAR EU | - | 0.42 W/kg (head) 1.29 W/kg (body) |
Honor X6b
- Faster and more efficient Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset
- 35W fast charging for quicker top-ups
- Potentially better thermal management
- Battery life likely less than the Galaxy A15
- Display brightness likely lower than the Galaxy A15
Samsung Galaxy A15
- Excellent battery life (15:28h active use)
- Bright 808 nit display for outdoor visibility
- Established Samsung brand reputation
- Less powerful Helio G99 chipset
- Slower 25W charging
- Potential for thermal throttling under sustained load
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A15 takes the lead in display brightness, achieving a measured peak of 808 nits. This translates to better visibility outdoors. While the Honor X6b's display specs are not provided, Samsung's panel is likely superior in outdoor legibility. Both phones likely utilize LCD panels given their price point, and neither is expected to offer high refresh rates. Color accuracy is also likely similar, leaning towards the 'vibrant' side typical of budget displays.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications for the Honor X6b, a direct comparison is limited. However, the market segment suggests both phones will feature primary sensors around the 50MP mark. The Galaxy A15 likely includes a standard suite of lenses, including an ultrawide and macro, the latter of which is often of limited practical use. Image processing will likely differ, with Samsung typically favoring more saturated colors and aggressive sharpening. The X6b's image quality will depend heavily on its software optimization, but the more modern chipset could offer better image signal processing capabilities.
Performance
The Honor X6b's Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 (4nm) represents a significant advantage over the Samsung Galaxy A15's MediaTek Helio G99 (6nm). The smaller 4nm node allows for greater transistor density and improved power efficiency, resulting in better sustained performance and reduced thermal throttling. While both CPUs feature a 2x2.2 GHz core configuration, the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2's Cortex-A78 cores are architecturally superior to the Helio G99's Cortex-A76 cores, offering a performance boost in CPU-intensive tasks. This translates to faster app loading times and smoother multitasking on the X6b.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A15 shines in battery life, achieving an impressive 15:28 hours of active use. The Honor X6b's battery capacity is not specified, but its more efficient Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset could partially offset the A15's larger battery. However, the X6b compensates with significantly faster 35W wired charging, compared to the A15's 25W. This means the X6b can replenish its battery much quicker, minimizing downtime. A full charge on the X6b is expected to be considerably faster than on the A15.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor X6b if you prioritize a smoother, more responsive user experience and faster charging. It's ideal for users who frequently multitask, enjoy casual gaming, or simply want a phone that feels snappy. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A15 if maximizing battery life is your absolute top priority, and you're willing to trade some performance for extended usage between charges. It's a solid choice for users who primarily browse, message, and make calls.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio G99 in the Galaxy A15 struggle with demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
The Helio G99 is capable of running PUBG and Call of Duty, but you'll likely need to lower graphics settings to achieve a smooth frame rate. The Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 in the Honor X6b offers a more consistent gaming experience, even at medium settings, due to its more efficient architecture and better thermal management.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Honor X6b with the 35W charger?
While a precise time isn't available, the Honor X6b's 35W charging should fully charge the battery in approximately 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes, depending on the battery capacity. This is significantly faster than the Galaxy A15's 25W charging, which will likely take over 2 hours.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy A15 support software updates for a long period?
Samsung generally provides good software support for its A-series devices. The Galaxy A15 is expected to receive at least 3 years of security updates and 2 major Android OS upgrades, ensuring it remains secure and functional for a considerable time.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on the Galaxy A15 worth using?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras on budget phones offer limited image quality. They often lack detail and sharpness. While usable in ideal lighting conditions, the results are rarely impressive and are often better captured using the main sensor with digital zoom.
