The sub-$200 5G smartphone market is heating up, and the Honor X6b and Xiaomi Redmi 13C 5G are two strong contenders. Both aim to deliver 5G connectivity and a modern smartphone experience without breaking the bank. However, they take different approaches, primarily in their chipset choices – Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 versus MediaTek’s Dimensity 6100+. This comparison will dissect these differences and determine which phone offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and efficient power management, the Honor X6b emerges as the winner. Its Snapdragon 4 Gen 2, built on a 4nm process, provides a noticeable edge in CPU-intensive tasks and potentially better thermal control compared to the Redmi 13C 5G’s Dimensity 6100+.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, June | 2023, December 06 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, June | Available. Released 2023, December 16 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 166.9 x 76.8 x 8.1 mm (6.57 x 3.02 x 0.32 in) | 168.1 x 77.9 x 8.2 mm (6.62 x 3.07 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 191 g or 193 g (6.74 oz) | 192 g or 195 g (6.77 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Aluminosilicate glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1610 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~261 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.77 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.74 inches, 109.7 cm2 (~83.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD, 120Hz, 850 nits (peak) | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 450 nits (typ), 600 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 Dimensity 6100+ (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 613 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 14, MagicOS 8 | Android 13, MIUI 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 1/2.76", 1.12µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| 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, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | 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, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 35W wired
Reverse wired | 18W wired, PD |
| Type | Li-Po 5200 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Black, Forest Green | Starry Black, Twilight Blue, Starry Silver, Starlight Black, Startrail Green, Startrail Silver |
| Models | - | 23124RN87G, 23124RN87I, 23124RN87C |
| Price | - | $ 198.99 / £ 119.00 / € 116.99 / ₹ 10,895 |
| SAR | - | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.09 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.98 W/kg (head) 0.98 W/kg (body) |
Honor X6b
- More powerful and efficient Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset
- Faster 35W wired charging with reverse charging
- Potentially better image processing from Qualcomm ISP
- May be slightly more expensive than the Redmi 13C 5G
- Specific display details are unknown
Xiaomi Redmi 13C 5G
- Lower upfront cost
- 5G connectivity
- PD support for charging
- Less powerful Dimensity 6100+ chipset
- Slower 18W charging
- Potentially lower image quality
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. While specific display specs (resolution, panel type) are missing, the focus here is on the underlying performance. The display quality will likely be similar, targeting the budget segment. However, the chipset's ability to efficiently drive the display is where differences may emerge. The Snapdragon 4 Gen 2's ISP could offer slightly better image processing for display output, but this is speculative without further data.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the chipset's ISP (Image Signal Processor) plays a crucial role. Qualcomm's ISPs are generally known for strong image processing capabilities, potentially giving the Honor X6b an edge in image quality, especially in challenging lighting conditions. The Redmi 13C 5G will likely rely on MediaTek’s ISP, which is competent but may not match Qualcomm’s processing prowess. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on the Redmi 13C 5G is a common budget feature, but its utility is limited due to the low resolution.
Performance
The core of the difference lies in the chipsets. The Honor X6b’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 (4nm) utilizes a more modern architecture and a smaller fabrication process than the Redmi 13C 5G’s MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ (6nm). The 4nm process inherently leads to better power efficiency and potentially lower thermal output. While both CPUs feature a 2x2.2 GHz core configuration, the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 uses Cortex-A78 cores, which offer a performance advantage over the Dimensity 6100+'s Cortex-A76 cores. This translates to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking on the Honor X6b. The Redmi 13C 5G's 2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores are slightly slower than the X6b's 1.95 GHz A55 cores, further widening the performance gap.
Battery Life
The Honor X6b features 35W wired charging, a significant advantage over the Redmi 13C 5G’s 18W wired charging with PD. This means the X6b will recharge much faster, minimizing downtime. While battery capacity isn't specified, the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2’s superior power efficiency suggests the X6b could offer comparable or even better battery life despite potentially having a smaller battery capacity. The 35W charging also includes reverse wired charging, a feature absent on the Redmi 13C 5G.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor X6b if you need a phone that can handle multitasking, moderate gaming, and daily tasks with consistent performance, and you value efficient power usage. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 13C 5G if you prioritize a slightly lower upfront cost and are primarily focused on basic smartphone functions like calling, messaging, and light social media use, and aren't concerned with demanding applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 in the Honor X6b handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
While not a gaming powerhouse, the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 should be capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium settings with reasonable frame rates. The 4nm process will help mitigate thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions, providing a more consistent experience than the Dimensity 6100+.
❓ Does the Redmi 13C 5G support carrier aggregation for faster 5G speeds?
The Redmi 13C 5G's 5G support is a key feature, but specific details regarding carrier aggregation are not available. Carrier aggregation support varies by region and carrier, so it's best to check with your provider to confirm compatibility and potential speed improvements.
❓ How much faster is the 35W charging on the Honor X6b compared to the 18W charging on the Redmi 13C 5G?
The 35W charging on the Honor X6b will significantly reduce charging times. Expect a 0-100% charge in approximately 60-75 minutes, compared to potentially 90-120 minutes on the Redmi 13C 5G. This difference is particularly noticeable for quick top-ups.
