The mid-range 5G smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Honor X8 5G and Samsung Galaxy A33 5G represent compelling options for budget-conscious buyers. While both aim to deliver 5G connectivity and a modern smartphone experience, they diverge significantly in their core hardware, particularly in chipset choice. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device offers the best value and performance.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing overall performance and a brighter display, the Samsung Galaxy A33 5G is the better choice. Its Exynos 1280 chipset, built on a more efficient 5nm process, provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Honor X8 5G’s Snapdragon 480+. However, the Honor X8 5G remains a viable option for those on a tighter budget.
| 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, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, July 25 | 2022, March 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, August 15 | Available. Released 2022, April 20 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 163.7 x 75.1 x 8.7 mm (6.44 x 2.96 x 0.34 in) | 159.7 x 74 x 8.1 mm (6.29 x 2.91 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 194 g (6.84 oz) | 186 g (6.56 oz) |
| | - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | Super AMOLED, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.9 GHz Kryo 460) | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4350-AC Snapdragon 480+ 5G (8 nm) | Exynos 1280 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G68 |
| OS | Android 11, Magic UI 4.2 | Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (VNE-N41 only) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | 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, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 22.5W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Black, Ocean Blue | Black, White, Blue, Peach |
| Models | VNE-N41 | SM-A336E, SM-A336B, SM-A336B/DS, SM-A336B/DSN, SM-A336E/DS, SM-A336M, SM-A3360 |
| Price | About 170 EUR | £ 174.99 / € 187.50 / ₹ 21,999 |
| SAR | - | 0.35 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.57 W/kg (head) 1.59 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 104h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-26.5 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 354420 (v8), 394918 (v9)
GeekBench: 1900 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 20fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Honor X8 5G
- More affordable price point
- 5G connectivity
- Decent battery life
- Less powerful Snapdragon 480+ chipset
- Likely lower display brightness
- Basic camera system
Samsung Galaxy A33 5G
- More powerful Exynos 1280 chipset
- Brighter and potentially smoother display
- Faster 25W charging
- Higher price tag
- Potential for thermal throttling under sustained load (though 5nm helps)
- 2MP macro camera is largely unnecessary
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A33 5G boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak brightness of 728 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the Honor X8 5G. This difference is crucial for outdoor visibility. While both likely utilize AMOLED panels (based on Samsung’s history and the ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio claim), the A33’s higher brightness provides a superior viewing experience in direct sunlight. The lack of refresh rate information for the X8 5G suggests it may be limited to 60Hz, while the A33 is likely 90Hz, contributing to smoother scrolling and animations.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature a 'Photo / Video' camera system, but details are sparse. The Samsung Galaxy A33 5G likely benefits from Samsung’s established image processing algorithms and potentially a larger main sensor (though sensor size is unspecified). The Honor X8 5G’s camera performance is likely more basic, focusing on adequate image quality in good lighting conditions. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on both devices is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit due to the small sensor size and lack of optical image stabilization (OIS).
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A33 5G’s Exynos 1280 (5nm) is a clear step up from the Honor X8 5G’s Snapdragon 480+ (8nm). The 5nm fabrication process of the Exynos 1280 translates to better power efficiency and thermal management, allowing for sustained performance under load. The Exynos 1280’s CPU configuration – 2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 – is architecturally superior to the Snapdragon 480+’s 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.9 GHz Kryo 460, offering faster processing speeds and improved multi-tasking capabilities. While both phones likely feature similar RAM configurations, the Exynos 1280’s superior GPU will deliver a more enjoyable gaming experience.
Battery Life
Both the Honor X8 5G and Samsung Galaxy A33 5G achieve an endurance rating of 104 hours, suggesting comparable battery life in typical usage scenarios. However, the Samsung Galaxy A33 5G’s 25W charging is slightly faster than the Honor X8 5G’s 22.5W charging, resulting in quicker top-ups. The Exynos 1280’s 5nm efficiency may also contribute to slightly better real-world battery performance, despite the identical endurance rating, by reducing power consumption during demanding tasks.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor X8 5G if you need a very affordable 5G phone and prioritize basic functionality over demanding tasks. It’s ideal for light users who primarily browse the web, use social media, and make calls. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A33 5G if you prefer a smoother, more responsive experience, especially when multitasking or playing graphically intensive games, and value a brighter, more visible display in outdoor conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 1280 in the Galaxy A33 5G overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Exynos 1280 is a capable chip, it can experience some thermal throttling during extended gaming. However, the 5nm fabrication process helps mitigate this issue compared to older, larger-node chipsets. Expect some performance reduction after 30-60 minutes of demanding gameplay, but it shouldn't be severe enough to render games unplayable.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone worth using?
Generally, no. 2MP macro cameras on budget phones suffer from poor image quality due to their small sensor size and lack of optical image stabilization. Images often appear soft, lack detail, and are only suitable for casual sharing. The standard main camera will produce far superior results in most scenarios.
❓ What kind of gaming performance can I expect from the Snapdragon 480+ in the Honor X8 5G?
The Snapdragon 480+ is capable of running most popular mobile games at medium settings. However, don't expect to max out graphics settings or achieve consistently high frame rates in demanding titles like PUBG or Genshin Impact. It's best suited for casual gaming and less graphically intensive games.
❓ How long does it take to fully charge each phone from 0%?
With 25W charging, the Samsung Galaxy A33 5G should fully charge in approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes. The Honor X8 5G, with its 22.5W charging, will likely take closer to 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours for a full charge.
