The Motorola S50 Neo and Honor X9b represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range smartphone market. Both devices leverage Qualcomm's Snapdragon 6-series, but employ different generations and manufacturing processes. This comparison dissects the nuances of the Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 in the S50 Neo against the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 powering the X9b, focusing on performance, efficiency, and charging capabilities to determine which phone delivers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and slightly faster charging, the Honor X9b emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, built on a 4nm process, offers improved efficiency and potentially less thermal throttling compared to the 6nm Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 in the Motorola S50 Neo. However, the S50 Neo remains a strong contender for users seeking a balanced package.
| 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 | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA/Sub6 | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, June 25 | 2023, October 18 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, June 28 | Available. Released 2023, October |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back or silicone polymer (eco leather) back | - |
| Dimensions | 161.9 x 73.1 x 7.6 mm (6.37 x 2.88 x 0.30 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 | 171 g or 173 g (6.03 oz) | 185 g (6.53 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) | 1220 x 2652 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~431 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~91.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.78 inches, 112.6 cm2 (~91.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | P-OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1600 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1200 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6450 Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 710 |
| OS | Android 14 | Android 13, Magic OS 7.2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8 (wide), 1/1.95", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide) | - |
| Features | 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 | 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.5, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical); unspecified sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 30W wired | 35W wired
Reverse wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5800 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Olivine, Surf, Gray | Sunrise Orange, Midnight Black, Emerald Green |
| Models | XT2427-4 | ALI-NX1 |
| Price | - | About 970 EUR |
Motorola S50 Neo
- Potentially cleaner software experience (Motorola's near-stock Android)
- Competitive price point
- Reliable Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 performance for everyday tasks
- Less efficient 6nm Snapdragon 6s Gen 3
- Slower charging speed (30W)
- Lacks reverse wired charging
Honor X9b
- More efficient 4nm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1
- Faster 35W wired charging with reverse charging
- Potentially better sustained performance due to improved thermal management
- Honor's software can be more heavily customized
- May be slightly more expensive than the S50 Neo
- Potential for bloatware
Display Comparison
Neither device's display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the price bracket, both likely utilize LCD panels. The absence of LTPO technology suggests neither will offer adaptive refresh rates for power saving. Bezels and color accuracy will likely be similar, with the user experience hinging on software calibration. The Honor X9b's brand history suggests a focus on larger displays, potentially offering a more immersive viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
Without specific camera sensor details, analysis is limited. However, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 typically supports more advanced image signal processors (ISPs) than the 6s Gen 3, potentially leading to better image processing and low-light performance on the Honor X9b. The absence of information regarding OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) suggests neither phone likely includes it, relying on software stabilization. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is likely a marketing feature with limited practical benefit, and should not be a deciding factor.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Honor X9b’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4nm) benefits from a smaller fabrication node, translating to improved power efficiency and potentially better thermal management compared to the Motorola S50 Neo’s Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 (6nm). While both feature octa-core CPUs clocked at 2.2 GHz, the X9b utilizes four Cortex-A78 cores, offering a performance advantage over the S50 Neo’s Kryo 660 Gold cores in multi-threaded workloads. This means the X9b will likely handle demanding apps and multitasking more smoothly. The 6 Gen 1's Adreno 643 GPU also provides a performance edge over the 6s Gen 3's Adreno 619, benefiting gaming and graphics-intensive applications.
Battery Life
The Honor X9b boasts 35W wired charging, a noticeable step up from the Motorola S50 Neo’s 30W charging. This translates to faster 0-100% charge times for the X9b. Furthermore, the X9b supports reverse wired charging, allowing it to act as a power bank for other devices – a feature absent on the S50 Neo. While battery capacity isn't specified, the more efficient Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 in the X9b could offset a potentially smaller battery size, resulting in comparable or even better real-world battery life.
Buying Guide
Buy the Motorola S50 Neo if you prioritize a streamlined software experience and are comfortable with potentially slightly lower sustained performance in demanding tasks. Buy the Honor X9b if you prefer a more feature-rich experience, benefit from the efficiency of the 4nm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, and appreciate the convenience of reverse wired charging for accessories.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 in the Honor X9b noticeably outperform the 6s Gen 3 in gaming?
Yes, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1's Adreno 643 GPU offers a performance advantage over the 6s Gen 3's Adreno 619. While both can handle most mobile games, the X9b will likely deliver higher frame rates and smoother gameplay in more demanding titles, especially at higher settings. The 4nm process also helps maintain performance under sustained load.
❓ Does the Honor X9b's reverse wired charging work with all devices?
The Honor X9b's reverse wired charging is compatible with most devices that support charging via USB-C. However, the charging speed will vary depending on the receiving device's power requirements and charging protocol. It's ideal for topping up accessories like wireless earbuds or smartwatches.
❓ Is the software experience significantly different between Motorola and Honor?
Yes. Motorola is known for its near-stock Android experience with minimal bloatware, offering a clean and responsive interface. Honor, on the other hand, utilizes its Magic UI, which is based on Android but includes significant customizations and pre-installed apps. This can be a matter of personal preference.
