The Oppo A2 and Honor X9b represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a balanced experience, they take different approaches to achieving it – Oppo focusing on a MediaTek Dimensity chipset and Honor opting for Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 1. This comparison will dissect their key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and future-proofing, the Honor X9b emerges as the stronger contender. Its Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, built on a more efficient 4nm process, offers a noticeable advantage in multi-tasking and gaming, despite the Oppo A2’s slightly faster peak charging speed.
| 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, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, November 03 | 2023, October 18 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, November 06 | Available. Released 2023, October |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 165.6 x 76 x 8 mm (6.52 x 2.99 x 0.31 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 | 193 g (6.81 oz) | 185 g (6.53 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Panda glass | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~392 ppi density) | 1220 x 2652 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~431 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.72 inches, 109.0 cm2 (~86.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.78 inches, 112.6 cm2 (~91.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 680 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 Dimensity 6020 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM6450 Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 710 |
| OS | Android 13, ColorOS 13.1 | Android 13, Magic OS 7.2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | No |
| Internal | 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), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| 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@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | 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 |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, 51% in 30 min | 35W wired
Reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5800 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Mystery Black, Glowing Green, Violet | Sunrise Orange, Midnight Black, Emerald Green |
| Models | PJB110 | ALI-NX1 |
| Price | About 220 EUR | About 970 EUR |
Oppo A2
- Faster charging speed (33W)
- Potentially more vibrant image processing
- Competitive price point
- Less efficient 7nm Dimensity 6020 chipset
- Potentially lower sustained performance
- Lacks reverse wired charging
Honor X9b
- More efficient 4nm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset
- Superior multi-tasking and gaming performance
- Reverse wired charging capability
- Slightly slower charging speed (35W)
- Potentially less saturated image processing
- May be slightly more expensive
Display Comparison
Neither Oppo nor Honor provided display specs beyond the devices themselves. However, given the price bracket, we can assume both utilize LCD panels. The key differentiator will likely be color accuracy and peak brightness. Without specific data, it's difficult to declare a winner, but Honor’s brand history suggests a slightly more color-accurate display. Bezels are expected to be comparable, typical of this segment.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the market segment suggests both phones will feature a primary camera around the 50MP mark. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) generally offers better image processing capabilities, potentially resulting in more detailed and dynamic photos, especially in challenging lighting conditions. The Oppo A2’s image processing will likely lean towards more saturated colors, a common trend in the brand. We anticipate both phones will include standard auxiliary lenses (ultrawide, depth) of limited utility.
Performance
The core battleground lies in the chipsets. The Honor X9b’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4nm) boasts a more modern architecture with 4x Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.2 GHz, compared to the Oppo A2’s MediaTek Dimensity 6020 (7nm) which uses 2x Cortex-A76 cores at the same speed. The 4nm process of the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 translates to superior power efficiency and thermal management, meaning less throttling during prolonged gaming or demanding applications. While both are octa-core CPUs, the A78 cores in the Snapdragon offer a performance edge. The Dimensity 6020 will be adequate for daily tasks, but the X9b will handle heavier workloads more gracefully.
Battery Life
The Oppo A2 offers 33W wired charging, claiming 51% charge in 30 minutes, while the Honor X9b steps up to 35W and includes reverse wired charging. While the difference in charging speed isn’t massive, the X9b’s reverse charging is a useful feature for topping up accessories. Battery capacity is not specified, but given the phone's weight and dimensions, we can estimate both will be in the 5000mAh range. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1’s superior efficiency will likely translate to longer real-world battery life, even with similar capacity, as it consumes less power during typical usage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo A2 if you prioritize quick charging and are primarily a casual user focused on everyday tasks like social media and light browsing. Its 33W charging will get you back up and running faster. Buy the Honor X9b if you value smoother performance during demanding tasks, appreciate a more efficient chipset for longer battery life under load, and want a phone that feels more responsive during heavy use.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 in the Honor X9b handle demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty Mobile smoothly?
Yes, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 is capable of running PUBG and Call of Duty Mobile at medium to high settings with stable frame rates. The 4nm process and Cortex-A78 cores provide the necessary processing power and thermal headroom for a good gaming experience, unlike the Dimensity 6020 which may struggle with sustained performance.
❓ Does the Oppo A2’s 33W charging significantly outperform the Honor X9b’s 35W in real-world usage?
The difference in charging speed is marginal. While the Oppo A2 claims 51% in 30 minutes, the Honor X9b will likely be only slightly slower. The more significant advantage of the X9b is its inclusion of reverse wired charging, allowing you to charge other devices.
❓ Is the image processing on the Honor X9b more natural, or does it still apply heavy beautification effects?
Honor’s image processing tends to be more balanced than Oppo’s, aiming for a more natural look with accurate colors. While some beautification may be applied by default, it’s generally less aggressive than Oppo’s tendency towards highly saturated and smoothed images. Users can typically adjust these settings in the camera app.
