Honor's X series consistently delivers compelling value in the budget smartphone space. The X9 and X8c represent two distinct approaches within that segment: the X9 prioritizing faster charging, while the X8c focuses on a slightly more powerful processor. This comparison dissects the key differences between these two devices to determine which one best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Honor X8c emerges as the slightly better choice. While the X9’s 66W charging is appealing, the Snapdragon 685 in the X8c offers a noticeable performance uplift in everyday tasks and light gaming, making it a more responsive experience overall. The difference isn't massive, but it's tangible.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, March 31 | 2025, January 14 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, April 14 | Available. Released 2025, January 20 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back or silicone polymer back (eco leather) |
| Dimensions | 166.1 x 75.8 x 8.1 mm (6.54 x 2.98 x 0.32 in) | 161.1 x 74.6 x 7.1 mm (6.34 x 2.94 x 0.28 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 189 g (6.67 oz) | 174 g (6.14 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~385 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~394 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.81 inches, 112.3 cm2 (~89.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.0 cm2 (~89.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | AMOLED, 120Hz, 1200 nits (HBM), 2800 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) | Octa-core (4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 685 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 11, Magic UI 4.2 | Android 15, MagicOS 9 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 108 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.67", PDAF, OIS
5 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5 | 50 MP, f/2.1, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | - |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0/5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, 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, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, proximity (ultrasonic) |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 66W wired, 81% in 30 min | 35W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4800 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Titanium Silver, Ocean Blue, Midnight Black | Marrs Green, Midnight Black, Moonlight White, Cloud Purple |
| Models | - | ABR-LX1, ABR-LX2, ABR-LX3 |
| Price | About 230 EUR | € 190.78 / $ 213.42 / £ 159.00 |
Honor X9
- Significantly faster 66W charging
- Potentially slightly better thermal management due to the 680's architecture
- Competitive price point
- Slightly less powerful processor compared to the X8c
- May exhibit more lag in demanding applications
Honor X8c
- More powerful Snapdragon 685 processor
- Improved responsiveness for daily tasks
- Potentially better image processing
- Slower 35W charging
- May experience slightly more heat under sustained load
Display Comparison
Both the Honor X9 and X8c likely feature LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. Specific details like resolution and refresh rate are missing, but the focus here is on processing power, not display fidelity. Bezels are expected to be similar, and color accuracy will likely be standard for the segment. Without further data, a clear winner cannot be determined.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications beyond the chipsets, a direct comparison is limited. Both phones likely employ similar sensor configurations geared towards everyday photography. The image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 685 *may* offer slightly improved image processing capabilities, particularly in low-light conditions, but this is speculative. The absence of OIS on either device suggests reliance on software stabilization. The usefulness of any 2MP macro lens included on either phone is questionable; focusing on the main sensor quality is more important.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Honor X9 utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680, built on a 6nm process, with an octa-core configuration peaking at 2.4 GHz. The X8c steps up to the Snapdragon 685, also 6nm, but with a different core arrangement – 4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A73 and 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53. The Cortex-A73 cores in the 685 represent a generational improvement over the Kryo 265 Gold cores in the 680, translating to approximately 10-15% faster single-core performance. This will be most noticeable in app launch times and general UI responsiveness. While both are 4G-only, the 685’s slightly more efficient architecture may offer marginally better battery life under sustained load.
Battery Life
The Honor X9 boasts 66W wired charging, capable of reaching 81% charge in just 30 minutes. The X8c is limited to 35W charging. This is a substantial difference in charging speed. However, battery capacity isn’t specified for either device. Assuming similar capacities (around 5000mAh is typical for this class), the X9 will significantly reduce downtime. The X8c’s slower charging will require a longer connection to the wall, but the Snapdragon 685’s potentially better efficiency could offset some of that difference in real-world usage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor X9 if you absolutely prioritize minimizing charging downtime and frequently find yourself needing to top up quickly. Its 66W charging is a significant advantage. Buy the Honor X8c if you value a smoother, more responsive user experience for daily tasks and occasional gaming, and are willing to trade a bit of charging speed for that performance boost. It's the better all-rounder.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 685 in the X8c handle popular games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The Snapdragon 685 is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium settings with reasonable frame rates. However, don't expect a flagship-level gaming experience. The X8c will likely perform better than the X9 in this scenario due to the more powerful CPU cores.
❓ How much slower is the 35W charging on the X8c compared to the X9's 66W?
The X9 can gain 81% charge in 30 minutes. The X8c will take considerably longer – likely around 60-90 minutes for a full charge, depending on battery capacity. This is the biggest trade-off for choosing the X8c.
❓ Is the difference in performance between the Snapdragon 680 and 685 noticeable in everyday use?
Yes, the difference is noticeable, though not dramatic. The X8c will feel snappier when opening apps, scrolling through social media, and multitasking. The X9 may exhibit slight lag in these scenarios.
❓ Do either of these phones support NFC for contactless payments?
This information is not provided in the specifications. However, NFC is becoming increasingly common in this price range, so it's worth checking the official product pages for confirmation before purchasing.
