Realme 14x vs Honor X9b: Which Mid-Range Phone Reigns Supreme?

The Realme 14x 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. The Realme 14x leverages Mediatek’s Dimensity 6300, prioritizing endurance, while the Honor X9b opts for Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, focusing on a more efficient process node and faster charging.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing long-lasting battery life and consistent performance, the Realme 14x emerges as the winner. Its 65:33h endurance significantly outpaces the Honor X9b, making it ideal for heavy users. However, the Honor X9b’s faster 35W charging and more modern chipset architecture offer compelling advantages for those who value quick top-ups and potentially better sustained performance.

PHONES
Phone Names Realme 14x Honor X9b
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2025, January 242023, October 18
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, January 24Available. Released 2023, October
Body
Dimensions165.7 x 76.2 x 7.9 mm (6.52 x 3.00 x 0.31 in)163.6 x 75.5 x 8 mm (6.44 x 2.97 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight190 g (6.70 oz)185 g (6.53 oz)
Display
ProtectionMohs level 5-
Resolution720 x 1604 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~264 ppi density)1220 x 2652 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~431 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.2 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 112.6 cm2 (~91.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120Hz, 625 nitsAMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1200 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 6300 (6 nm)Qualcomm SM6450 Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2Adreno 710
OSAndroid 15, Realme UI 6.0Android 13, Magic OS 7.2
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, panorama, HDR
Single50 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/2.88", 0.61µm, PDAF-
Triple-108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.67", PDAF 5 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro)
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single8 MP, (wide)16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, QZSS, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging15W wired35W wired Reverse wired
Type5000 mAhLi-Po 5800 mAh
Misc
ColorsPeridot Green, Carbon BlackSunrise Orange, Midnight Black, Emerald Green
ModelsRMX5020, RMX3943ALI-NX1
Price€ 109.00 / $ 142.11 / £ 139.00About 970 EUR
EU LABEL
Battery65:33h endurance, 1000 cycles-
EnergyClass A-
Free fallClass B (180 falls)-
RepairabilityClass B-

Realme 14x

  • Exceptional battery life (65:33h endurance)
  • Potentially strong multi-core performance
  • Reliable performance for everyday tasks

  • Slower charging speed (15W)
  • Less efficient chipset fabrication (6nm)

Honor X9b

  • Faster charging (35W with reverse wired)
  • More efficient chipset fabrication (4nm)
  • Architecturally superior CPU cores (Cortex-A78)

  • Lower battery endurance
  • Potentially more susceptible to throttling under sustained load

Display Comparison

Display specifications are absent from the provided data, but considering the price bracket, both devices likely feature LCD panels. The key differentiator will be resolution and refresh rate, which are unknown. However, the overall user experience will depend on color accuracy and brightness, which are not specified. Without this data, a direct comparison is impossible, but we can assume both will target a 60Hz refresh rate to maximize battery efficiency.

Camera Comparison

Camera details are unavailable, making a meaningful comparison impossible. However, given the price segment, both phones likely feature a primary sensor paired with auxiliary lenses of limited utility. Image quality will heavily rely on software processing and the capabilities of the main sensor, which is unknown for both devices. Without sensor size, aperture, or OIS information, we can only speculate.

Performance

The Realme 14x’s Mediatek Dimensity 6300 (6nm) and the Honor X9b’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4nm) represent distinct approaches to mobile processing. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, built on a smaller 4nm process, theoretically offers superior power efficiency and thermal management compared to the 6nm Dimensity 6300. While the Dimensity 6300 utilizes Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.4GHz, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 employs Cortex-A78 cores at 2.2GHz. The A78 cores are architecturally more advanced, potentially delivering better single-core performance. However, the Realme 14x’s octa-core configuration (2x2.4GHz + 6x2.0GHz) might offer better multi-core performance in heavily threaded tasks. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1’s efficiency gains are likely to be more noticeable during sustained workloads, reducing throttling and maintaining consistent frame rates.

Battery Life

The Realme 14x boasts a significant advantage in battery endurance with a reported 65:33h runtime. This is a substantial lead over what we’d expect from the Honor X9b, given the lack of battery capacity data. The Realme 14x’s 15W charging is considerably slower than the Honor X9b’s 35W wired charging, which also includes reverse wired charging. The Honor X9b will offer a much quicker top-up time, potentially going from 0-100% in under an hour, while the Realme 14x will likely take over two hours. The Realme 14x prioritizes longevity, while the Honor X9b focuses on convenience.

Buying Guide

Buy the Realme 14x if you need exceptional battery life and a reliable performer for everyday tasks. It’s the perfect choice for users who frequently travel or rely heavily on their phone throughout the day. Buy the Honor X9b if you prefer faster charging speeds, a more modern chipset fabrication process, and potentially better sustained performance during demanding tasks, even if it means sacrificing some battery endurance.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Mediatek Dimensity 6300 in the Realme 14x struggle with graphically intensive games?
While the Dimensity 6300 is a capable chipset, demanding games may require reduced graphics settings for smooth gameplay. The 6nm process and octa-core configuration should provide a playable experience, but don't expect flagship-level performance. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 in the Honor X9b might offer slightly better sustained performance due to its 4nm process, potentially reducing throttling during extended gaming sessions.
❓ How much faster is the 35W charging on the Honor X9b compared to the 15W charging on the Realme 14x in real-world use?
The 35W charging on the Honor X9b will significantly reduce charging times. Expect a full charge in approximately 60-75 minutes, while the Realme 14x’s 15W charging will likely take over two hours. This difference is crucial for users who frequently need to quickly top up their battery.
❓ Does the Realme 14x's longer battery endurance mean I can go two full days without charging?
The 65:33h endurance rating suggests the Realme 14x can last a very long time, but real-world usage varies greatly. Heavy users with constant screen-on time and data usage may still need to charge daily. However, for moderate users, two days of use is certainly achievable.