The Realme 13 Pro+ and Honor X9b represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a premium experience without the flagship price tag, they take different approaches. The Realme 13 Pro+ prioritizes charging speed and processing power, while the Honor X9b focuses on a balanced experience with a more efficient chipset. This comparison will dissect their key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing performance and rapid charging, the Realme 13 Pro+ is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset and 80W charging significantly outperform the Honor X9b’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 and 35W charging. However, the Honor X9b offers a solid, efficient experience for everyday tasks.
| 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, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 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 | 2024, July 30 | 2023, October 18 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, August 06 | Available. Released 2023, October |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 7i), plastic frame, glass back | - |
| Dimensions | 161.3 x 73.9 x 8.2 or 8.4 mm | 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 | 185.5 g or 190 g (6.56 oz) | 185 g (6.53 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 7i | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~394 ppi density) | 1220 x 2652 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~431 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 108.0 cm2 (~90.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.78 inches, 112.6 cm2 (~91.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 600 nits (typ), 1200 nits (HBM), 2000 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1200 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.40 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7435-AB Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM6450 Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 710 | Adreno 710 |
| OS | Android 14, Realme UI 5.0 | Android 13, Magic OS 7.2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | 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 |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS
50 MP, f/2.7, 73mm, (periscope telephoto), 1/1.95", 0.8µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom
8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.67", PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.5, 21mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes, 360˚ (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band | 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 | 80W wired, 50% in 19 min, 100% in 49 min | 35W wired
Reverse wired |
| Type | 5200 mAh | Li-Po 5800 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Monet Gold, Emerald Green, Monet Purple | Sunrise Orange, Midnight Black, Emerald Green |
| Models | RMX3920, RMX3921 | ALI-NX1 |
| Price | $ 549.00 / ₹ 24,999 | About 970 EUR |
Realme 13 Pro+
- Significantly faster charging (80W)
- More powerful processor (Snapdragon 7s Gen 2)
- Higher peak display brightness
- Lacks reverse wireless charging
- Potentially higher price point
Honor X9b
- More efficient chipset (Snapdragon 6 Gen 1)
- Reverse wired charging capability
- Potentially lower price point
- Slower charging (35W)
- Less powerful processor
Display Comparison
While both devices likely feature OLED panels (based on brand trends), the Realme 13 Pro+ boasts a measured peak brightness of 1398 nits, suggesting a significantly more visible display in direct sunlight compared to the Honor X9b, for which brightness data is unavailable. The Realme’s higher brightness will benefit outdoor users and those who consume HDR content. We expect both to offer FHD+ resolutions, but the Realme’s brightness advantage is a key differentiator.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is limited. However, the chipset difference suggests the Realme 13 Pro+ will have more processing power dedicated to image processing, potentially leading to better low-light performance and faster image capture. The Honor X9b will likely focus on computational photography to enhance image quality, but may be limited by its less powerful chipset. We anticipate both phones will feature multi-camera systems, but the Realme’s processing advantage is a key factor.
Performance
The Realme 13 Pro+ is equipped with the Qualcomm SM7435-AB Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4 nm) chipset, featuring an octa-core CPU configuration with 4x2.40 GHz Cortex-A78 and 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This is a substantial upgrade over the Honor X9b’s Qualcomm SM6450 Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4 nm) with its 4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 and 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The higher clock speeds and more efficient architecture of the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 translate to noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance. The Realme will handle graphically intensive games with higher frame rates and fewer stutters.
Battery Life
The Realme 13 Pro+ shines in the charging department with its 80W wired charging capability, achieving 50% charge in just 19 minutes and a full charge in 49 minutes. The Honor X9b’s 35W wired charging is considerably slower. While battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, the Realme’s faster charging mitigates concerns about potentially smaller battery size. The Honor X9b does offer reverse wired charging, a feature absent in the Realme 13 Pro+, which could be useful for topping up accessories.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme 13 Pro+ if you need a phone capable of handling demanding apps and games, and if minimizing charging downtime is crucial. Its faster processor and charging will appeal to power users and gamers. Buy the Honor X9b if you prefer a phone that prioritizes efficiency and a balanced experience for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and communication. It’s a strong choice for users who don’t require top-tier performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 in the Realme 13 Pro+ handle demanding games like Genshin Impact?
Yes, the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 is a capable chipset for gaming. While it won't match the performance of flagship processors, it should handle Genshin Impact at medium to high settings with playable frame rates. The Realme 13 Pro+'s thermal management will be crucial for sustained performance.
❓ How much slower is the 35W charging on the Honor X9b compared to the Realme 13 Pro+'s 80W?
The difference is substantial. The Realme 13 Pro+ can fully charge in 49 minutes, while the Honor X9b will likely take well over an hour, potentially closer to 90-120 minutes, depending on battery capacity. This makes the Realme a much better choice for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly.
❓ Does the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 in the Honor X9b struggle with multitasking?
The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 is a capable processor for everyday tasks, but it may show some slowdown when handling a large number of apps simultaneously. It's best suited for moderate multitasking, rather than running numerous demanding applications at once.
