The Lenovo Z6 Youth and Honor 8X Max represent a fascinating intersection of value and performance from 2019. Both aimed to deliver a compelling experience without breaking the bank, but they took different approaches. The Z6 Youth leverages the newer, more efficient Snapdragon 710, while the 8X Max opts for the established Snapdragon 660. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which phone offers the best overall package.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and future-proofing, the Lenovo Z6 Youth is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 710 offers a noticeable performance uplift over the 660 in the Honor 8X Max, despite the 8X Max having slightly faster charging. The 710’s 10nm process also suggests better long-term efficiency.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 - Global |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, May. Released 2019, May | 2018, September. Released 2018, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 156.6 x 74.3 x 7.9 mm (6.17 x 2.93 x 0.31 in) | 177.6 x 86.3 x 8.1 mm (6.99 x 3.40 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 164 g (5.78 oz) | 210 g (7.41 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 1080 x 2244 pixels, 18.7:9 ratio (~350 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 7.12 inches, 127.8 cm2 (~83.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, HDR10 | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver) | Octa-core (4x1.95 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM710 Snapdragon 710 (10 nm) | Qualcomm SDM660 Snapdragon 660 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 616 | Adreno 512 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), ZUI 11 | Android 8.1 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 9 (Pie), EMUI 9 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 16 MP, f/2.0, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | 16 MP, f/1.8, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, (telephoto), PDAF, 2x optical zoom
5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | microUSB 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, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 18W wired
5W reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4050 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Red, Green | Black, Blue, Red |
| Models | L38111 | ARE-AL00, ARE-L22HN, ARE-AL10 |
| Price | About 160 EUR | About 250 EUR |
Lenovo Z6 Youth
- More powerful Snapdragon 710 chipset
- More efficient 10nm process
- Potentially better image processing
- Slower charging speed (15W)
- Smaller screen size may not appeal to all
Honor 8X Max
- Faster charging speed (18W)
- Larger display for media consumption
- Reverse wired charging capability
- Less powerful Snapdragon 660 chipset
- Less efficient 14nm process
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly standout display. Both likely feature LCD panels, common for this price bracket. The Honor 8X Max’s larger screen size (7.12 inches vs. the Z6 Youth’s 6.3 inches) will appeal to media consumers, but this comes at the cost of a lower pixel density. Without specific brightness or color accuracy data, it’s difficult to declare a clear winner; however, the Z6 Youth’s smaller size may result in a sharper image. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices, typical of phones from this era.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs beyond the chipsets, a direct comparison is challenging. Both phones likely feature multi-camera setups geared towards providing versatility. However, the image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 710 is more advanced than that of the 660, suggesting better image processing capabilities, particularly in low-light conditions. The Z6 Youth is likely to produce more detailed and dynamic photos. The presence of any OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) would be a significant advantage, but this information is unavailable. We can assume both phones include standard features like HDR and scene detection.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Lenovo Z6 Youth’s Snapdragon 710 (10nm) is a significant step up from the Honor 8X Max’s Snapdragon 660 (14nm). The 710’s Kryo 360 cores, with their 2x2.2 GHz Gold and 6x1.7 GHz Silver configuration, offer a performance advantage over the 660’s 4x1.95 GHz Gold and 4x1.8 GHz Silver setup. The 10nm process node of the 710 also translates to improved power efficiency and reduced thermal throttling during sustained workloads. Gamers and multitasking users will see a tangible benefit from the Z6 Youth’s superior processing power. While both likely utilize similar RAM configurations, the 710’s more efficient architecture will allow it to handle memory management more effectively.
Battery Life
The Honor 8X Max has a slight edge in charging speed with its 18W wired charging compared to the Z6 Youth’s 15W. While the 8X Max also supports 5W reverse wired charging, its practical utility is limited. Battery capacity is not specified, but the larger physical size of the 8X Max suggests it may house a slightly larger battery. However, the Snapdragon 710’s superior power efficiency in the Z6 Youth could offset any capacity difference, resulting in comparable real-world battery life. The 710’s efficiency will be particularly noticeable during demanding tasks like gaming.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lenovo Z6 Youth if you need a phone that feels snappier in everyday tasks and can handle more demanding games with greater consistency. It’s ideal for users who value performance and want a device that will remain usable for longer. Buy the Honor 8X Max if you prioritize slightly faster charging speeds and potentially better software optimization (depending on regional ROMs), and are less concerned with pushing the phone to its performance limits.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 660 in the Honor 8X Max struggle with modern apps?
While the Snapdragon 660 was a capable chip in its time, it will likely show its age with newer, more demanding applications. Expect longer loading times and occasional stuttering, especially when multitasking. The Snapdragon 710 in the Z6 Youth offers a significantly smoother experience.
❓ Is the 5W reverse charging on the Honor 8X Max actually useful?
The 5W reverse charging is a niche feature. It's very slow and only suitable for topping up small devices like Bluetooth earbuds or smartwatches in an emergency. Don't expect to significantly charge a smartphone with it.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 710 handle gaming compared to the 660?
The Snapdragon 710 offers a noticeable improvement in gaming performance. It can handle most popular mobile games at medium to high settings with playable frame rates. The Snapdragon 660 will struggle with more demanding titles and may require lower settings to maintain smooth gameplay.
❓ Which phone is likely to receive more software updates?
Given the age of both devices, neither is likely to receive significant software updates at this point. Honor’s update track record has been inconsistent, and Lenovo’s support for older models is limited. Expect security patches to cease entirely.
