The Realme C73 and Honor X9b represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range smartphone market. The C73 leverages MediaTek's Dimensity 6300, while the X9b opts for Qualcomm's Snapdragon 6 Gen 1. This comparison will dissect their core differences, focusing on performance, charging, and overall user experience to determine which device delivers the most value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and faster charging, 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 demanding tasks, complemented by its 35W charging capability. However, the Realme C73 remains a viable option for budget-conscious buyers.
| 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 | 2025, June 02 | 2023, October 18 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, June 02 | Available. Released 2023, October |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 165.7 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) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 197 g (6.95 oz) | 185 g (6.53 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1604 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~264 ppi density) | 1220 x 2652 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~431 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.2 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.78 inches, 112.6 cm2 (~91.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 625 nits | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1200 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 6300 (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6450 Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 710 |
| OS | Android 15, Realme UI 6.0 | Android 13, Magic OS 7.2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/3.1", PDAF | - |
| 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 | Panorama | - |
| 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 | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, QZSS, BDS | 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 | 15W wired
5W reverse wired | 35W wired
Reverse wired |
| Type | 6000 mAh | Li-Po 5800 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Jade Green, Crystal Purple, Onyx Black | Sunrise Orange, Midnight Black, Emerald Green |
| Models | - | ALI-NX1 |
| Price | ₹ 10,228 | About 970 EUR |
Realme C73
- Potentially lower price point
- Reverse wired charging (5W)
- Decent performance for basic tasks
- Slower 15W charging
- Less efficient 6nm Dimensity 6300
- Likely less capable ISP for camera processing
Honor X9b
- Faster 35W charging
- More efficient 4nm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1
- Superior CPU architecture for multitasking
- Potentially higher price
- No reverse wired charging
- May require more careful thermal management under extreme load
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. While specific panel details (like OLED vs LCD) are missing, the focus here is on processing power. Display quality will likely be similar, with both targeting a 6.67-inch size. The absence of high refresh rates on either device suggests a focus on power efficiency rather than visual fluidity. Bezels are likely comparable, typical of this price bracket.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs beyond the chipsets, a direct comparison is limited. However, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 typically offers superior image signal processing (ISP) capabilities, potentially leading to better dynamic range and noise reduction in photos and videos. The Realme C73 will likely rely more heavily on software processing to compensate for any hardware limitations. The absence of information regarding sensor size and OIS makes it difficult to assess low-light performance definitively.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Honor X9b’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4nm) has a clear architectural advantage over the Realme C73’s MediaTek Dimensity 6300 (6nm). The 4nm process node translates to improved thermal efficiency, meaning the X9b is less likely to throttle under sustained load. While the C73’s Cortex-A76 cores offer respectable performance, the X9b’s Cortex-A78 cores are a generation newer and more efficient. The X9b’s CPU configuration (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) is geared towards more responsive multitasking compared to the C73’s (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55).
Battery Life
The Realme C73’s 15W charging is a significant disadvantage compared to the Honor X9b’s 35W charging. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging of the X9b will translate to considerably quicker top-ups. A full charge on the C73 will take significantly longer. The 4nm process of the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 also contributes to better power efficiency, potentially offsetting any capacity difference between the two devices. The X9b also offers 5W reverse wired charging, a feature absent on the C73.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme C73 if you prioritize a lower upfront cost and are primarily focused on everyday tasks like social media, browsing, and light multimedia consumption. Buy the Honor X9b if you value smoother multitasking, better gaming performance, and significantly faster charging speeds, even if it means spending a bit more. The X9b is the better choice for users who push their phones harder.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 in the Honor X9b handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium to high settings with stable frame rates. The 4nm process and improved CPU architecture contribute to better sustained performance, reducing the likelihood of significant frame drops during extended gaming sessions compared to the Dimensity 6300.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Realme C73 with its 15W charger?
Given the 15W charging speed, a full charge from 0% to 100% on the Realme C73 will likely take around 2.5 to 3.5 hours, depending on battery capacity. This is considerably slower than the Honor X9b’s 35W charging.
❓ Does the Dimensity 6300 in the Realme C73 struggle with multitasking?
While the Dimensity 6300 is adequate for basic multitasking, it may exhibit some slowdown when running numerous apps simultaneously. The Honor X9b’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, with its more efficient CPU cores, handles multitasking more smoothly.
❓ Is the difference in chipset performance noticeable in everyday use?
For basic tasks like browsing, social media, and messaging, the difference may be subtle. However, when opening apps, switching between them, or performing more demanding tasks like video editing, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 in the Honor X9b will provide a noticeably snappier and more responsive experience.
