The Realme C85 Pro and Honor X9b represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive budget and mid-range smartphone space. Both leverage Qualcomm's Snapdragon 6-series, but employ different generations and manufacturing processes. This comparison dives deep into the architectural differences, performance implications, and charging capabilities to determine which device delivers the best value.
🏆 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 4nm process, offers a noticeable efficiency and performance advantage over the Realme C85 Pro’s Snapdragon 685, despite the Realme’s faster 45W charging.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, November 02 | 2023, October 18 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, November 13 | Available. Released 2023, October |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 78 x 8.1 mm (6.47 x 3.07 x 0.32 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 | 205 g (7.23 oz) | 185 g (6.53 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2344 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~380 ppi density) | 1220 x 2652 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~431 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 113.4 cm2 (~88.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.78 inches, 112.6 cm2 (~91.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 120Hz, 1200 nits (HBM), 4000 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1200 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 685 (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6450 Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | 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 | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 50 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), PDAF | - |
| Triple | - | 108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.67", PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30/120fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Panorama | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | 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, accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 45W wired
Reverse wired
Bypass charging | 35W wired
Reverse wired |
| Type | Si/C Li-Ion 7000 mAh | Li-Po 5800 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Parrot Purple, Peacock Green | Sunrise Orange, Midnight Black, Emerald Green |
| Models | RMX5555 | ALI-NX1 |
| Price | - | About 970 EUR |
Realme C85 Pro
- Faster 45W charging for quicker top-ups.
- Potentially lower price point.
- Snapdragon 685 is a proven, reliable chipset.
- Less efficient 6nm process leads to more heat.
- Older CPU architecture (Cortex-A73) limits performance.
- Likely to exhibit more throttling under sustained load.
Honor X9b
- More efficient 4nm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1.
- Superior CPU architecture (Cortex-A78) for better performance.
- Likely better sustained performance and less throttling.
- Slower 35W charging.
- Potentially higher price point.
- May lack some of the Realme's software features.
Display Comparison
Neither device's display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the price points, we can assume both utilize LCD panels. The key differentiator will likely be peak brightness and color accuracy. Honor, historically, has focused on display quality, potentially giving the X9b an edge. The absence of information regarding refresh rates (60Hz vs 90Hz) is a significant omission, impacting perceived smoothness.
Camera Comparison
Without specific camera sensor details, a detailed comparison is challenging. However, the chipset plays a role in image signal processing (ISP) capabilities. The newer Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 in the Honor X9b likely benefits from an improved ISP, potentially leading to better image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. The absence of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on either device is a notable omission, suggesting reliance on software stabilization. We anticipate both phones will feature a primary camera and multiple auxiliary lenses, but the quality of those auxiliary lenses is likely to be minimal.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Honor X9b’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4nm) represents a significant leap over the Realme C85 Pro’s Snapdragon 685 (6nm). The 4nm process inherently provides better power efficiency, translating to less heat generation and sustained performance. Furthermore, the X9b utilizes Cortex-A78 cores in its CPU configuration (4x2.2 GHz), offering a performance boost over the C85 Pro’s Cortex-A73 cores (4x2.8 GHz). While the C85 Pro's cores have a higher clock speed, the architectural improvements in the A78 cores of the X9b will result in superior real-world performance, especially in demanding applications. The X9b is likely to exhibit less throttling during extended gaming sessions.
Battery Life
The Realme C85 Pro boasts 45W wired charging, significantly faster than the Honor X9b’s 35W. This translates to quicker top-ups, a crucial advantage for users who frequently need to recharge. However, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1’s superior efficiency in the X9b could offset the charging speed difference. The actual battery capacity of both devices is unknown, but the 4nm process of the X9b will likely result in longer battery life for a given capacity, even with a slower charging rate. Both devices support reverse wired charging, a convenient feature for topping up accessories.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme C85 Pro if you prioritize the fastest possible charging speeds and are primarily focused on everyday tasks like social media, calls, and light web browsing. Buy the Honor X9b if you value smoother multitasking, better gaming performance, and a more efficient chipset that will likely hold up better over time, even if it means slightly slower charging.
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 a capable chipset for gaming. While it won't deliver flagship-level performance, it should handle PUBG Mobile at medium to high settings with reasonable frame rates. The 4nm process will also help mitigate thermal throttling, allowing for more sustained gameplay compared to the Realme C85 Pro.
❓ How much faster is the 45W charging on the Realme C85 Pro in real-world use?
While 45W is faster on paper, the actual difference depends on battery capacity (which is unknown). Expect a 0-100% charge on the Realme C85 Pro to be approximately 30-60 minutes faster than the Honor X9b. However, the X9b's more efficient chipset may mean you don't need to charge as frequently.
❓ Does either phone support 5G connectivity?
Based on the chipsets, neither phone supports 5G connectivity. Both the Snapdragon 685 and Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 are 4G LTE-only chipsets. This is typical for phones in this price range.
❓ Is the difference in CPU architecture (A73 vs A78) noticeable in everyday tasks?
For basic tasks like browsing and social media, the difference might be subtle. However, when multitasking, opening multiple apps, or performing more demanding operations, the Cortex-A78 cores in the Honor X9b will provide a noticeably smoother and more responsive experience.
