The itel S23+ and Honor X9b represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. While both aim to deliver essential features at accessible price points, they diverge significantly in their core hardware. This comparison dissects those differences, focusing on the impact of their respective chipsets and charging capabilities on real-world performance.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing smooth multitasking and faster charging, the Honor X9b is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset, built on a 4nm process, provides a noticeable performance uplift over the itel S23+'s Unisoc Tiger T616. However, the itel S23+ remains a viable option for those on a tighter budget who prioritize affordability.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 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, September 19 | 2023, October 18 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, September 19 | Available. Released 2023, October |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 7.9 mm thickness | 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 | 178 g (6.28 oz) | 185 g (6.53 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~388 ppi density) | 1220 x 2652 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~431 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 | 6.78 inches, 112.6 cm2 (~91.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 500 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1200 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6450 Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Adreno 710 |
| OS | Android 13, itel OS 13 | Android 13, Magic OS 7.2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 50 MP, f/1.6, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Triple | - | 108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.67", PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0 | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 35W wired
Reverse wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5800 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Cyan | Sunrise Orange, Midnight Black, Emerald Green |
| Models | S681LN | ALI-NX1 |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 970 EUR |
itel S23+
- More affordable price point
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks
- Acceptable performance for light usage
- Less powerful chipset
- Slower charging speed
- Potential for throttling under load
Honor X9b
- Superior performance with Snapdragon 6 Gen 1
- Faster 35W charging with reverse wired charging
- Improved power efficiency
- Higher price compared to itel S23+
- May still exhibit some throttling during extended gaming
- Potentially larger physical size
Display Comparison
Neither device's display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the price points, both likely utilize LCD panels. The Honor X9b, benefiting from a larger marketing budget, may incorporate a slightly higher quality panel with better color accuracy. The absence of information regarding refresh rates suggests both are likely capped at 60Hz. Bezels are expected to be relatively substantial on both devices, typical for this segment.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a precise comparison is difficult. However, the chipset plays a crucial role in image processing. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) is more advanced, enabling better noise reduction, dynamic range, and overall image quality. While both phones likely feature a primary camera, the Honor X9b will likely deliver superior results, particularly in low-light conditions. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is unlikely to significantly impact the overall camera experience.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Honor X9b’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4nm) is a substantial upgrade over the itel S23+'s Unisoc Tiger T616 (12nm). The 4nm fabrication process of the Snapdragon offers significantly improved power efficiency and thermal performance, translating to less throttling during sustained workloads. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1’s CPU configuration – 4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 – is architecturally superior to the itel’s 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55, offering better single-core and multi-core performance. This will be most noticeable in app launch times, multitasking, and demanding applications.
Battery Life
While battery capacities are not specified, the Honor X9b’s 35W wired charging is a major advantage. This allows for a significantly faster 0-100% charge compared to the itel S23+'s 18W charging. Even with a similar battery capacity, the faster charging speed provides greater convenience. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1’s 4nm efficiency also contributes to potentially better battery life, as it consumes less power during operation.
Buying Guide
Buy the itel S23+ if you need a functional smartphone for basic tasks like calls, messaging, and light social media use, and your budget is extremely limited. Buy the Honor X9b if you prefer a more responsive experience for multitasking, occasional gaming, and appreciate the convenience of significantly faster 35W charging, even if it comes at a higher price.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Honor X9b handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 in the Honor X9b is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but likely at medium settings to maintain a stable frame rate. The 4nm process helps mitigate throttling, but extended gaming sessions may still result in some performance drops. The itel S23+ will struggle with PUBG Mobile, likely requiring the lowest settings and still experiencing significant lag.
❓ Does the Honor X9b's faster charging significantly reduce charging time compared to the itel S23+?
Yes, the 35W charging on the Honor X9b will dramatically reduce charging time. Expect a full charge in approximately 60-75 minutes, compared to potentially over 2 hours for the itel S23+ with its 18W charger. This is a significant convenience factor for users who frequently need to top up their battery.
❓ Is the Unisoc Tiger T616 chipset in the itel S23+ sufficient for everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
Yes, the Unisoc Tiger T616 is adequate for basic tasks like web browsing, social media, and messaging. However, it will exhibit noticeable slowdowns when multitasking or running more demanding applications. Users expecting a fluid and responsive experience should opt for the Honor X9b.
