The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Honor X9c and Motorola Edge 40 Neo represent compelling options for budget-conscious buyers. The X9c focuses on delivering a solid core experience with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, while the Edge 40 Neo aims for a more balanced package with MediaTek's Dimensity 7030 and a brighter display. This comparison will dissect their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing all-day battery life and a brighter, more vibrant display, the Motorola Edge 40 Neo is the better choice. Its Dimensity 7030 offers comparable performance to the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, and its measured 1073 nits peak brightness significantly improves outdoor visibility. However, the Honor X9c remains a strong contender for those seeking fast 66W charging.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 48, 66 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, November 05 | 2023, September 14 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, November 15 | Available. Released 2023, September 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 162.8 x 75.5 x 8 mm (6.41 x 2.97 x 0.31 in) | 159.6 x 72 x 7.9 mm (6.28 x 2.83 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 189 g (6.67 oz) | 170 g or 172 g (6.00 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1224 x 2700 pixels (~437 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.78 inches, 111.5 cm2 (~90.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~90.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 3840Hz PWM, 4000 nits (peak) | P-OLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6450 Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4 nm) | MediaTek Dimensity 7030 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 710 | Mali-G610 MC3 |
| OS | Android 14, Magic OS 8 | Android 13, up to 2 major Android upgrades |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.55", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS
13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm, PDAF |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.67", PDAF, OIS
5 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.0", 0.7µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.4, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| 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/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 66W wired
Reverse wired | 68W wired, 50% in 15 min |
| Type | Si/C Li-Ion 6600 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Titanium Purple, Titanium Black, Jade Cyan | Black, Soothing Sea, Caneel Bay, Peach Fuzz |
| Models | - | XT2307-1 |
| Price | $ 459.99 / ₹ 21,999 | $ 299.00 / € 168.73 / ₹ 19,900 |
Honor X9c
- Faster 66W wired charging
- Potentially better thermal efficiency due to 4nm process
- Likely more affordable price point
- Lacks detailed battery life data
- Display likely less bright than Edge 40 Neo
- Camera specs are unknown
Motorola Edge 40 Neo
- Excellent battery life (10:28h active use)
- Bright 1073 nits display
- MediaTek Dimensity 7030 offers strong performance
- 6nm process less efficient than X9c's 4nm
- Charging speed is comparable, not significantly faster
- Price may be higher than Honor X9c
Display Comparison
The Motorola Edge 40 Neo boasts a clear advantage in display quality, achieving a measured peak brightness of 1073 nits. This is a substantial improvement over what we'd expect from the X9c, making it far more usable in direct sunlight. While the X9c's display specs are not provided, the Edge 40 Neo's brightness level suggests a superior viewing experience for outdoor activities. The panel technology isn't specified for either, but the Edge 40 Neo's brightness indicates a higher-quality panel overall. Bezels are likely comparable given the price points, but the brightness difference is the key differentiator.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera analysis is limited by the provided data. Both phones likely feature multi-camera setups, but the specifics are unknown. The absence of sensor size information makes a direct comparison difficult. We can assume both will offer standard photo and video capabilities for their price range. The Edge 40 Neo's camera is listed as having photo/video capabilities, suggesting a focus on versatility. The X9c's camera specs are not provided, making it difficult to assess its capabilities. It's safe to assume neither phone will compete with flagship camera systems.
Performance
Both phones utilize octa-core CPUs based on the ARM Cortex-A78 architecture, but differ in their chipsets and manufacturing processes. The Motorola Edge 40 Neo's MediaTek Dimensity 7030 (6nm) features 2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 cores and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, while the Honor X9c's Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4nm) has 4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 cores and 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The 6nm process of the Dimensity 7030 is less efficient than the 4nm process of the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, but the higher clock speeds on the A78 cores of the Dimensity 7030 may offset this. Real-world performance will likely be similar for everyday tasks, but the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 may exhibit slightly better thermal management during sustained loads due to its more efficient node.
Battery Life
The Motorola Edge 40 Neo shines in battery performance, achieving an active use score of 10:28h and an endurance rating of 80h. This indicates significantly better battery life than the Honor X9c, which lacks comparable battery data. While the X9c offers 66W wired charging, and the Edge 40 Neo offers 68W with a 50% charge in 15 minutes, the Edge 40 Neo's superior battery capacity and efficiency provide a more substantial advantage. The faster charging on the X9c is useful, but a larger battery that lasts longer is often more valuable to users.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor X9c if you prioritize extremely fast charging speeds and a lower initial cost. It's ideal for users who frequently top up their phones and don't necessarily need the brightest display. Buy the Motorola Edge 40 Neo if you value longer battery life, a significantly brighter screen for outdoor use, and a more refined overall user experience. This phone is best for media consumers and those who need their phone to last a full day on a single charge.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the MediaTek Dimensity 7030 in the Motorola Edge 40 Neo tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Dimensity 7030 is a capable chip, its 6nm process is less efficient than the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1's 4nm process. However, Motorola's thermal management solutions are generally effective. Expect some throttling during extended, graphically intensive gaming, but it shouldn't be severe enough to render the phone unusable. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 may maintain slightly cooler temperatures under the same load.
❓ How does the 66W charging on the Honor X9c compare to the 68W charging on the Motorola Edge 40 Neo in real-world usage?
Both phones offer fast charging, but the Edge 40 Neo charges to 50% in 15 minutes. While the wattage difference is small, the Edge 40 Neo's overall battery efficiency means you'll spend less time plugged in overall, despite the similar charging speeds. The X9c's faster charging is beneficial for quick top-ups, but the Edge 40 Neo's longer battery life reduces the need for frequent charging.
❓ Is the lack of detailed camera specifications for the Honor X9c a significant drawback?
Yes, the absence of sensor size and aperture information makes it difficult to assess the X9c's camera capabilities. In this price segment, camera performance is often a key differentiator. Without concrete specs, it's reasonable to assume the Edge 40 Neo likely offers a more versatile and capable camera system.
