Honor's X70 and 70 Lite represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. While both aim to deliver value, they take distinctly different approaches. The X70 prioritizes charging speed and a more modern chipset, while the 70 Lite focuses on providing 5G connectivity at an accessible price point. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and convenience, the Honor X70 emerges as the stronger contender. Its Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 chipset offers a noticeable performance uplift over the 70 Lite’s Snapdragon 480+, and the inclusion of 80W wired (and potentially wireless) charging significantly reduces downtime. The 70 Lite remains a viable option for those solely focused on 5G on a tight budget.
| 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 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | LTE |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, July 15 | 2023, March 20 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, July 18 | Available. Released 2023, March 31 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 161.9 x 76.1 x 7.8 or 8.0 mm | 163.7 x 75.1 x 8.7 mm (6.44 x 2.96 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 193 g or 199 g (6.81 oz) | 194 g (6.84 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Aluminosilicate glass | - |
| Resolution | 1200 x 2640 pixels (~427 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.79 inches, 112.1 cm2 (~90.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 3840Hz PWM, HDR, 800 nits (typ), 1800 nits (HBM), 6000 nits (peak) | TFT LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.3 GHz Cortex-A720s & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A720s & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A520s) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.9 GHz Kryo 460) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM4350-AC Snapdragon 480+ 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 810 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 15, Magic OS 9 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, Magic UI 8 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | Unspecified |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), PDAF, OIS | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, ASHA | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5), GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, compass, gyro, proximity (ultrasound) | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 80W wired
80W wireless (512GB model only)
Reverse wireless (512GB model only)
5W reverse wired | 22.5W wired |
| Type | Si/C Li-Ion 8300 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Green, White, Red | Ocean Blue, Titanium Silver, Midnight Black |
| Models | MTN-AN00 | RBN-NX1 |
| Price | About 170 EUR | About 120 EUR |
Honor X70
- Significantly faster 80W wired charging
- More powerful Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 chipset
- Potentially better power efficiency due to 4nm process
- Price may be higher than the 70 Lite
- Wireless charging only available on 512GB model
Honor 70 Lite
- More affordable price point
- 5G connectivity
- Acceptable performance for basic tasks
- Slow 22.5W charging
- Less powerful Snapdragon 480+ chipset
- Less efficient 8nm process
Display Comparison
Neither Honor specifies display details beyond size, leaving brightness and color accuracy as unknowns. However, the core difference lies in the underlying processing power needed to drive the display. The X70’s more powerful chipset can likely handle more complex display tasks, such as higher refresh rates (if supported, which isn't specified) and more efficient image processing. The 70 Lite’s older chipset may struggle with demanding visual workloads.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the chipset plays a crucial role in image processing. The X70’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 includes a more advanced Image Signal Processor (ISP) capable of faster and more sophisticated image processing, resulting in better low-light performance and dynamic range. While both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup, the X70’s ISP will likely extract more detail and clarity from the sensors. We can assume both phones will have a primary camera, but the X70 will likely have better computational photography capabilities.
Performance
The performance gap between the Honor X70 and 70 Lite is substantial. The X70’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 (4nm) is built on a more advanced manufacturing process than the 70 Lite’s Snapdragon 480+ (8nm). This 4nm process translates to improved power efficiency and thermal management, allowing the X70 to sustain peak performance for longer periods. The CPU architecture also favors the X70; its Cortex-A720s cores are significantly more capable than the Kryo 460 cores found in the 70 Lite. This difference will be most noticeable in demanding applications like gaming and video editing.
Battery Life
The Honor X70’s 80W wired charging is a game-changer, potentially allowing a full charge in under 30 minutes. The 70 Lite’s 22.5W charging is considerably slower. While battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, the X70’s more efficient Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 chipset will likely result in comparable or better battery life despite potentially having a similar capacity. The X70’s 512GB model adds the benefit of 80W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, offering unparalleled convenience.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor X70 if you need a phone that can handle everyday tasks smoothly, charges incredibly quickly, and potentially offers wireless charging. It’s ideal for users who value performance and don’t want to wait around for their phone to power up. Buy the Honor 70 Lite if you prioritize 5G connectivity above all else and are on a very limited budget, accepting compromises in processing power and charging speed.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 in the Honor X70 handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 is a capable chipset for mid-range gaming. While it won't deliver flagship-level performance, it should be able to run PUBG Mobile at medium settings with a stable frame rate. The 4nm process will also help mitigate thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions.
❓ Does the Honor X70 support wireless charging, and is it fast?
Yes, but only the 512GB model of the Honor X70 supports 80W wireless charging. This is exceptionally fast for wireless charging and will significantly reduce charging times compared to standard wireless chargers. The base model does not have wireless charging capabilities.
❓ Is the 5G connectivity on the Honor 70 Lite worth the trade-off in performance?
That depends on your needs. If you live in an area with robust 5G coverage and frequently use data-intensive applications, the 5G connectivity might be beneficial. However, if 5G isn't readily available or you primarily use Wi-Fi, the performance gains offered by the X70’s chipset will likely be more noticeable.
❓ How much faster is the 80W charging on the Honor X70 compared to the 22.5W charging on the 70 Lite?
The difference is substantial. 80W charging can potentially fully charge the X70 in under 30 minutes, while the 70 Lite’s 22.5W charging will likely take well over an hour. This difference is particularly noticeable for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly.