The smartphone market is brimming with options, especially in the mid-range segment. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Huawei Mate 40E 4G and the Honor X7a. Both offer compelling features, but cater to slightly different needs. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide which one deserves your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Huawei Mate 40E 4G clearly takes the performance crown thanks to its significantly more powerful Kirin 990E chipset. However, the Honor X7a offers a more budget-friendly price point and a larger display. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your priorities: power or affordability.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | LTE |
| 5G bands | - | SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, June 28 | 2023, January 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, June 29 | Available. Released 2023, January 06 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame | - |
| Dimensions | 158.6 x 72.5 x 8.8 mm (6.24 x 2.85 x 0.35 in) | 167.5 x 76.9 x 8.3 mm (6.59 x 3.03 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 188 g (6.63 oz) | 196 g (6.91 oz) |
| | IP53, dust and splash resistant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2376 pixels (~402 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.7 cm2 (~89.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.75 inches, 110.0 cm2 (~85.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, HDR10, 90Hz | TFT LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.86 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x2.36 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Kirin 990E (7 nm+) | Mediatek MT6765H Helio G37 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MP14 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | HarmonyOS 2.0 | Android 12, Magic UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Nano Memory (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, Leica optics, LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.4, 18mm (ultrawide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.9, 27mm (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, 85mm (telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom
16 MP, f/2.2, 17mm (ultrawide) | - |
| Video | 4K, 1080p, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | - |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.4, 18mm (ultrawide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 4K, 720p@240fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | 32-bit/384kHz audio
| - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a+B2b), GALILEO (E1+E5a+E5b), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, 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, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 40W wired
40W wireless
5W reverse wired | 22.5W wired
5W reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4200 mAh | Li-Po 5330 or 6000 mAh (market/region dependent) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Silver, White, Black | Titanium Silver, Ocean Blue, Midnight Black |
| Models | OCE-AL50 | RKY-LX1, RKY-LX2, RKY-LX3 |
| Price | About 550 EUR | About 120 EUR |
Huawei Mate 40E 4G
- Superior Performance
- Better Camera Quality
- Faster Charging (40W)
- Premium Build Quality
- Good Software Support (Huawei EMUI)
- Limited Google Services (due to US sanctions)
- Potentially Higher Price
- No 5G Connectivity
Honor X7a
- More Affordable
- Larger Display
- Decent Battery Life
- Stylish Design
- 5W Reverse Charging
- Weaker Performance
- Mediocre Camera
- Slower Charging (22.5W)
- Less Refined Software
Display Comparison
The Honor X7a boasts a larger 6.8-inch display compared to the Mate 40E's 6.63-inch screen. Both utilize an LCD panel, but the X7a's larger size makes it more immersive for media consumption. Resolution is similar, offering decent clarity for the price range. The Mate 40E might have slightly better color accuracy due to Huawei's display tuning, but the difference is subtle.
Camera Comparison
The Mate 40E 4G generally offers a superior camera experience. While both phones have multiple rear cameras, the Mate 40E's Kirin 990E ISP provides better image processing. Expect more detailed photos, better low-light performance, and more accurate colors. The X7a's camera is decent for casual snapshots, but lacks the refinement of the Mate 40E.
Performance
This is where the Mate 40E 4G shines. The Kirin 990E chipset is a substantial upgrade over the Helio G37 in the Honor X7a. Expect significantly faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the Mate 40E. The X7a is adequate for basic tasks, but struggles with demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both phones offer respectable battery life. The Honor X7a, with its less power-hungry chipset, might edge out the Mate 40E in terms of longevity. However, the Mate 40E's 40W wired and wireless charging significantly reduces charging times, offering a faster top-up experience.
Buying Guide
The Huawei Mate 40E 4G is ideal for users who prioritize performance, camera quality, and fast charging. It's a good choice for those who want a flagship-like experience without the flagship price tag. The Honor X7a is best suited for budget-conscious buyers who value a large display, long battery life, and a stylish design. It's a solid option for everyday tasks and media consumption.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Huawei Mate 40E have Google Play Services?
No, due to US sanctions, the Huawei Mate 40E does not come with Google Play Services pre-installed. Users can explore alternative app stores or sideload apps.
❓ Is the Honor X7a good for gaming?
The Honor X7a is adequate for casual games, but its weaker chipset struggles with demanding titles. Expect lower frame rates and potential lag.
