The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Infinix Hot 30 and Honor X9a represent compelling options for users seeking 5G connectivity without breaking the bank. While both aim for affordability, they take different approaches to achieving it, particularly in their chipset choices. This comparison will dissect the key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and future-proofing, the Honor X9a emerges as the stronger contender. Its Snapdragon 695, built on a more efficient 6nm process, offers a noticeable advantage in sustained performance and 5G capabilities, despite the Infinix Hot 30's slightly faster charging.
| 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 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | LTE |
| 5G bands | - | SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, March 31 | 2023, January 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, March 31 | Available. Released 2023, January 06 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 168.7 x 76.6 x 8.4 mm (6.64 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) | 161.6 x 73.9 x 7.9 mm (6.36 x 2.91 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 196 g (6.91 oz) | 175 g (6.17 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~396 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.78 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~89.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 500 nits (typ), 600 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769H Helio G88 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 13, XOS 12.6 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, MagicOS 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.6, (wide), 1/2.55", AF
0.08 MP, (depth) | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) |
| Features | Quad-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 50 MP, f/1.6, (wide), 1/2.55", AF
Auxiliary lens | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) |
| Video | 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.5, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | 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 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, proximity, compass |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, 55% in 30 min | 40W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5100 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Racing Black, Surfing Green, Sonic White, Free Fire | Titanium Silver, Emerald Green, Midnight Black |
| Models | X6831 | RMO-NX1 |
| Price | - | $ 212.08 |
Infinix Hot 30
- Faster 33W charging speeds
- Potentially lower price point
- Slightly higher clocked CPU cores
- Less efficient 12nm chipset
- Older chipset architecture
- Likely less capable ISP
Honor X9a
- More efficient 6nm Snapdragon 695
- Integrated 5G modem
- Potentially better image processing
- Slower 40W charging (though offset by efficiency)
- Potentially higher price
- Slightly lower clocked CPU cores
Display Comparison
Neither Infinix nor Honor provided display specs beyond the existence of a display. Assuming both utilize standard IPS LCD panels common in this price range, the key differentiator will be color accuracy and peak brightness. Without specific data, it's difficult to declare a winner, but Honor's brand reputation suggests slightly better calibration. Bezels are likely comparable, focusing on maximizing screen real estate within the budget constraints.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the chipset plays a role in image signal processing (ISP) capabilities. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon ISPs generally offer more advanced features and better noise reduction than MediaTek’s equivalent offerings. It’s reasonable to assume the Honor X9a will deliver slightly better image quality, particularly in low-light conditions, due to the more capable ISP. The absence of information on sensor sizes and lens apertures prevents a more definitive assessment.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Honor X9a’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 (6nm) boasts a more modern architecture and a smaller fabrication process than the Infinix Hot 30’s MediaTek Helio G88 (12nm). This 6nm process translates to improved power efficiency and reduced thermal throttling, meaning the X9a will likely maintain higher sustained performance during demanding tasks. While the Hot 30’s Cortex-A75 cores offer a slight clock speed advantage (2.0 GHz vs 2.2 GHz on the X9a’s Kryo 660 Gold), the Snapdragon 695’s overall architecture and efficiency give it the edge. The 5G modem integrated into the Snapdragon 695 is also a significant advantage for future-proofing.
Battery Life
The Infinix Hot 30’s 33W charging is faster than the Honor X9a’s 40W, claiming 55% charge in 30 minutes. However, the Snapdragon 695’s superior power efficiency means the X9a will likely consume less energy during typical usage. This efficiency could offset the slower charging speed, resulting in comparable real-world battery life. Without knowing the battery capacities of each device, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the X9a’s efficiency is a significant factor.
Buying Guide
Buy the Infinix Hot 30 if you need a phone primarily for basic tasks like social media, calls, and light web browsing, and value the fastest possible charging speeds within this price bracket. Buy the Honor X9a if you prioritize smoother multitasking, occasional gaming, reliable 5G connectivity, and a more efficient processor that will likely hold up better over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 695 in the Honor X9a handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The Snapdragon 695 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but you'll likely need to stick to medium graphics settings for a consistently smooth experience. While not a gaming powerhouse, it offers a noticeable improvement over the Helio G88 in sustained performance, reducing the likelihood of frame drops during extended gaming sessions.
❓ How much faster is the 33W charging on the Infinix Hot 30 compared to the 40W on the Honor X9a in real-world use?
While the Infinix Hot 30 claims a faster initial charge rate, the Honor X9a’s more efficient processor means it consumes less power overall. This difference in power consumption can minimize the practical charging time gap. You'll likely see a difference in the first 30 minutes, but a full 0-100% charge might be comparable.
❓ Does the Honor X9a support carrier aggregation for improved 5G speeds?
The Snapdragon 695 generally supports carrier aggregation, which allows it to combine multiple 5G channels for faster data speeds. However, the specific carrier aggregation bands supported will depend on the Honor X9a's regional variant and your carrier's network capabilities. Check with your carrier for compatibility.
