The sub-$250 smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Infinix Hot 40 Pro and Honor X9b are two contenders vying for dominance. The Infinix boasts impressive battery life and a focus on fast charging, while the Honor leverages Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 for a potentially smoother experience. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to determine which phone offers the best overall package.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing all-day battery and rapid charging, the Infinix Hot 40 Pro emerges as the winner. Its 12:56h active use score and 33W charging provide a tangible advantage. However, users seeking a more refined chipset and potentially better long-term software support may lean towards the Honor X9b.
| 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 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, December 05 | 2023, October 18 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, December | Available. Released 2023, October |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 168.6 x 76.6 x 8.3 mm (6.64 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) | 163.6 x 75.5 x 8 mm (6.44 x 2.97 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 199 g (7.02 oz) | 185 g (6.53 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~396 ppi density) | 1220 x 2652 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~431 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.78 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.78 inches, 112.6 cm2 (~91.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 500 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1200 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6450 Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 710 |
| OS | Android 13, XOS 13.5 | Android 13, Magic OS 7.2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.67", 0.64µm, AF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | Quad-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | - | 108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.67", PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | - |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.15", 0.7µm | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| 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, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, 20-75% in 35 min
Reverse wired | 35W wired
Reverse wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5800 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Palm Blue, Horizon Gold, Starlit Black, Starfall Green, Free Fire | Sunrise Orange, Midnight Black, Emerald Green |
| Models | X6837 | ALI-NX1 |
| Price | £ 179.95 / € 226.31 | About 970 EUR |
Infinix Hot 40 Pro
- Exceptional battery life (12:56h active use)
- Fast 33W charging with a documented 20-75% charge time of 35 minutes
- Competitive price point
- Older chipset architecture (Helio G99)
- Limited camera information
Honor X9b
- More efficient 4nm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset
- Potentially better thermal management
- Qualcomm’s software optimization reputation
- Battery life is unknown and potentially lower than the Infinix
- Limited camera information
Display Comparison
The Infinix Hot 40 Pro features a display capable of reaching 534 nits of peak brightness, paired with a 1822:1 contrast ratio. While respectable, this is a fairly standard brightness level for this price point. The Honor X9b’s display specifications are not provided, but Honor typically focuses on vibrant colors and good viewing angles in this segment. The lack of information on the X9b’s panel type makes a direct comparison difficult, but the Infinix’s measured brightness provides a concrete benchmark. Users who frequently use their phones outdoors will likely benefit from a higher peak brightness, giving the Hot 40 Pro a slight edge if the X9b doesn't exceed 534 nits.
Camera Comparison
Both phones’ camera details are limited to 'Photo / Video' capabilities. Without sensor size, aperture, or OIS information, a meaningful comparison is impossible. It’s safe to assume both will feature a primary camera and potentially multiple auxiliary lenses (likely including a 2MP macro, which offers limited practical benefit). Image processing will be a key differentiator, and brand reputation suggests Honor may have a slight advantage in software optimization for camera performance. However, without concrete specs, this remains speculative.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Infinix Hot 40 Pro utilizes the Mediatek Helio G99 (6nm), while the Honor X9b employs the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4nm). The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, built on a more efficient 4nm process, theoretically offers better power efficiency and thermal performance. Its CPU configuration – 4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 – is also architecturally superior to the Helio G99’s 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55. The Cortex-A78 cores in the Snapdragon are significantly more powerful than the A76 cores in the Helio. This translates to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking for the Honor X9b, particularly in demanding applications. However, the Helio G99 is a proven performer in its own right, and the 6nm process helps mitigate some of the efficiency gap.
Battery Life
The Infinix Hot 40 Pro shines in battery performance, achieving an impressive 12:56h of active use. While the Honor X9b’s battery capacity is unknown, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1’s 4nm efficiency could partially offset the Infinix’s longer runtime. The Infinix supports 33W wired charging, claiming a 20-75% charge in 35 minutes. The Honor X9b offers 35W wired charging, providing a slightly faster charging speed. Both phones also support reverse wired charging, adding to their versatility. The Infinix’s documented battery life gives it a clear advantage for users prioritizing endurance.
Buying Guide
Buy the Infinix Hot 40 Pro if you need exceptional battery life for extended use, frequent fast charging, and prioritize maximizing screen-on time. Buy the Honor X9b if you prefer a more modern chipset architecture, potentially better thermal management during sustained loads, and value Qualcomm’s reputation for software optimization, even if it means slightly less battery endurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio G99 in the Infinix Hot 40 Pro struggle with graphically demanding games like PUBG or Genshin Impact?
The Helio G99 is capable of running PUBG at medium settings, but Genshin Impact may require significant compromises in graphics quality to maintain a playable framerate. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 in the Honor X9b will likely offer a smoother experience in these titles, but neither phone is a dedicated gaming device.
❓ How does the 33W charging on the Infinix Hot 40 Pro compare to the 35W charging on the Honor X9b in real-world usage?
While the Honor X9b has slightly higher wattage, the Infinix Hot 40 Pro’s 33W charging is still quite fast, achieving a 20-75% charge in 35 minutes. The difference in charging speed will likely be minimal in everyday use, and the Infinix’s superior battery life means you’ll need to charge it less frequently.
❓ Does the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 in the Honor X9b offer noticeable improvements in app loading times compared to the Helio G99?
Yes, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1’s more modern CPU architecture (Cortex-A78 cores) will result in faster app loading times and smoother multitasking compared to the Helio G99. This difference will be most noticeable when switching between multiple apps or running demanding applications.
