The Honor X7 and Realme 9i 5G represent compelling options in the crowded sub-$200 smartphone market. While both aim for affordability, they take different approaches to performance and connectivity. The Honor X7 prioritizes a Qualcomm chipset and a focus on efficiency, while the Realme 9i 5G brings 5G connectivity to the table with a MediaTek Dimensity processor. This comparison will dissect the key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing future-proofing and faster data speeds, the Realme 9i 5G is the better choice. Its MediaTek Dimensity 810 chipset, coupled with 5G support, offers a noticeable advantage over the Honor X7’s Snapdragon 680, despite slightly slower charging. However, users on a strict budget who don't need 5G will find the Honor X7 a capable device.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 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, March 30 | 2022, August 18 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, April 14 | Available. Released 2022, August 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 167.6 x 77.2 x 8.6 mm (6.60 x 3.04 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 + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 198 g (6.98 oz) | 187 g (6.60 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Panda Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.74 inches, 109.7 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11, Magic UI 4.2 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, Realme UI 4.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide) |
| Triple | - | 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 | 8 MP, f/2.0, (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 (market/region dependent) | No |
| Positioning | GPS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | 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, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 22.5W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Ocean Blue, Titanium Silver | Soulful Blue, Rocking Black, Gold |
| Models | CMA-LX2, CMA-LX1, CMA-LX3 | RMX3612 |
| Price | About 90 EUR | About 180 EUR |
Honor X7
- Faster 22.5W charging
- Potentially better battery efficiency with Snapdragon 680
- Reliable performance for everyday tasks
- Lacks 5G connectivity
- Less powerful CPU compared to Dimensity 810
Realme 9i 5G
- 5G connectivity for faster data speeds
- More powerful MediaTek Dimensity 810 processor
- Potential for higher refresh rate display
- Slower 18W charging
- Potentially lower battery life due to chipset power draw
Display Comparison
Neither Honor nor Realme provide display specifications beyond the basic panel type. Assuming both utilize IPS LCDs common in this price bracket, the display experience will likely be similar. However, the Realme 9i 5G’s potential for higher refresh rate support (often found in Dimensity 810-powered devices) could offer smoother scrolling, a feature absent in the Honor X7. Bezels are likely comparable, and color accuracy will depend on software calibration, a factor not specified in the provided data.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is difficult. Both phones likely feature a primary camera and multiple secondary sensors (often including a depth and macro lens). The image processing algorithms will heavily influence the final image quality. Given the price point, expect similar performance in good lighting conditions. Low-light performance will likely be a weakness for both, but the larger sensor (if present) on either device will have an advantage. The absence of OIS on either phone suggests reliance on software stabilization.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme 9i 5G’s MediaTek Dimensity 810, with its 2x Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.4 GHz, offers a performance edge over the Honor X7’s Snapdragon 680. While both are 6nm chips, the Dimensity 810’s core architecture is more modern, translating to better multi-core performance. The Snapdragon 680’s Kryo 265 Gold cores, while efficient, are less powerful. The Realme 9i 5G also benefits from 5G connectivity, a feature the Snapdragon 680 lacks. This impacts real-world performance for tasks like downloading large files or streaming high-resolution video. The Honor X7 will likely exhibit better sustained performance under load due to the Snapdragon's efficiency, but the Realme 9i 5G has a higher peak.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn't specified, but both phones likely fall in the 5000mAh range, typical for this segment. The Realme 9i 5G’s 18W charging is slower than the Honor X7’s 22.5W. This means the Honor X7 will likely charge from 0-100% faster, potentially offering a more convenient charging experience. However, the Dimensity 810’s potentially higher power consumption could offset this advantage, leading to similar overall battery life in real-world usage. The efficiency of the Snapdragon 680 could give the Honor X7 a slight edge in longevity.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor X7 if you need a reliable, efficient phone for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light multimedia consumption, and 5G isn't a priority. Its Snapdragon 680 chipset offers good power efficiency. Buy the Realme 9i 5G if you want 5G connectivity for faster download and streaming speeds, and are willing to trade a bit of charging speed for that future-proofing. It’s ideal for users who frequently consume data-intensive content on the go.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Dimensity 810 in the Realme 9i 5G overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Dimensity 810 is a capable processor, sustained gaming can generate heat. However, the 6nm process node helps with thermal efficiency. Expect some throttling after extended periods, but the Realme 9i 5G should handle moderate gaming sessions without significant issues. The Honor X7's Snapdragon 680 will likely run cooler, but at the cost of overall performance.
❓ Is the 5G connectivity on the Realme 9i 5G actually useful if I don't have widespread 5G coverage in my area?
Even with limited 5G coverage, the Realme 9i 5G benefits from carrier aggregation on 4G networks, potentially leading to faster speeds than the Honor X7. Furthermore, investing in a 5G-enabled phone future-proofs your device as 5G infrastructure expands. The phone will seamlessly switch between 5G and 4G networks as available.
❓ How significant is the charging speed difference between 22.5W (Honor X7) and 18W (Realme 9i 5G) in real-world use?
The 22.5W charging on the Honor X7 will likely result in a noticeably faster 0-100% charge time, potentially shaving off 30-60 minutes compared to the Realme 9i 5G. However, the impact on daily use is less significant if you primarily charge your phone overnight or in short bursts throughout the day.
