Realme Neo7 SE vs Honor X8c: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range Performance

The Realme Neo7 SE and Honor X8c represent distinct approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The Neo7 SE aggressively targets performance with a flagship-adjacent chipset, while the X8c prioritizes efficiency and a more balanced feature set. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device delivers the best value for your money.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing raw performance and fast charging, the Realme Neo7 SE is the clear winner. Its Dimensity 8400 Max offers a substantial leap in processing power over the Honor X8c’s Snapdragon 685. However, the Honor X8c provides a more efficient experience and a lower entry price, making it suitable for everyday tasks.

PHONES
Phone Names Realme Neo7 SE Honor X8c
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, 3, 4, 5, 8, 19, 20, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66LTE
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2025, February 252025, January 14
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, February 25Available. Released 2025, January 20
Body
Build-Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back or silicone polymer back (eco leather)
Dimensions162.5 x 76.3 x 8.6 mm (6.40 x 3.00 x 0.34 in)161.1 x 74.6 x 7.1 mm (6.34 x 2.94 x 0.28 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight212 g (7.48 oz)174 g (6.14 oz)
Display
ProtectionCrystal Armor glass-
Resolution1264 x 2780 pixels (~450 ppi density)1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~394 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 111.7 cm2 (~90.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 108.0 cm2 (~89.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR, 1600 nits (HBM), 6000 nits (peak)AMOLED, 120Hz, 1200 nits (HBM), 2800 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.25 GHz Cortex-A725 & 3x3.0 GHz Cortex-A725 & 4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A725)Octa-core (4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 8400 Max (4 nm)Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 685 (6 nm)
GPUMali-G720Adreno 610
OSAndroid 15, Realme UI 6.0Android 15, MagicOS 9
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.95", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm108 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.67", PDAF, OIS 5 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
FeaturesColor spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesPanorama-
Single16 MP, f/2.4, 23mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm50 MP, f/2.1, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.4, A2DP, LE (planned upgrade to 6.0)5.0/5.1, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), GLONASSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-CUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, proximity (ultrasonic)
Battery
Charging80W wired, 23 min to 50%35W wired
TypeSi/C Li-Ion 7000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlue, White, BlackMarrs Green, Midnight Black, Moonlight White, Cloud Purple
Models-ABR-LX1, ABR-LX2, ABR-LX3
PriceAbout 240 EUR€ 190.78 / $ 213.42 / £ 159.00

Realme Neo7 SE

  • Significantly faster processor (Dimensity 8400 Max)
  • Ultra-fast 80W charging
  • Potentially better gaming performance

  • Likely higher price
  • Potentially shorter battery life due to power-hungry chipset

Honor X8c

  • More affordable price
  • Better power efficiency (Snapdragon 685)
  • Potentially longer battery life

  • Slower processor
  • Slower 35W charging

Display Comparison

Neither device's display specifications are provided, so we must infer. Given the price points, both likely feature LCD panels. However, the Realme Neo7 SE, positioned as a performance-focused device, may benefit from a higher refresh rate (potentially 120Hz) to complement its powerful chipset. The Honor X8c, aiming for efficiency, likely sticks to a standard 60Hz panel. Bezels are expected to be similar, with both devices likely employing plastic frames to keep costs down. Color accuracy will likely be adequate for general use on both, but neither is expected to challenge flagship-level color calibration.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the chipset difference suggests the Realme Neo7 SE will have a more capable image signal processor (ISP), enabling faster image processing and potentially better low-light performance. The Honor X8c’s Snapdragon 685 ISP is sufficient for everyday photography, but will likely fall short in challenging conditions. We can expect both phones to include a primary camera, ultrawide, and potentially a macro lens, but the quality of these sensors will vary. The Neo7 SE is more likely to offer features like 4K video recording, while the X8c may be limited to 1080p.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme Neo7 SE’s Mediatek Dimensity 8400 Max (4nm) is a significant upgrade over the Honor X8c’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 685 (6nm). The Dimensity 8400 Max boasts a more modern CPU architecture – Cortex-A725 cores – and a higher clock speed (up to 3.25 GHz) compared to the Snapdragon 685’s Cortex-A73 cores (2.8 GHz). This translates to substantially faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a far superior gaming experience. The 4nm process node of the Dimensity 8400 Max also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling during sustained workloads. While the Snapdragon 685 is adequate for basic tasks, it will struggle with graphically intensive games and demanding applications. The Neo7 SE's likely use of faster LPDDR5x RAM further enhances its performance advantage.

Battery Life

The Realme Neo7 SE’s 80W wired charging is a game-changer, promising a 50% charge in just 23 minutes. This is significantly faster than the Honor X8c’s 35W charging. While battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, the faster charging of the Neo7 SE mitigates the impact of a potentially smaller battery. The Snapdragon 685 in the X8c is more power-efficient, potentially leading to longer battery life during typical usage. However, the Neo7 SE’s ability to quickly top up its battery offers convenience and peace of mind.

Buying Guide

Buy the Realme Neo7 SE if you need a phone capable of handling demanding games, video editing, or multitasking without slowdowns, and if 80W charging is a priority. Buy the Honor X8c if you prefer a more power-efficient device for everyday use – browsing, social media, and light gaming – and value a lower price point and potentially longer battery life between charges.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Dimensity 8400 Max in the Realme Neo7 SE overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Dimensity 8400 Max's 4nm process node is designed for improved thermal efficiency. While some heat generation is inevitable during gaming, it's less likely to throttle significantly compared to older, larger-node chipsets. Realme likely incorporates thermal management solutions to further mitigate heat buildup.
❓ Is the Snapdragon 685 in the Honor X8c powerful enough for playing popular games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile?
The Snapdragon 685 can run PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile, but you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to medium or low to achieve a playable frame rate. Expect occasional stuttering and reduced visual fidelity compared to devices with more powerful chipsets.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Realme Neo7 SE from 0% to 100% with the 80W charger?
While the specs state 23 minutes to 50%, a full 0-100% charge on the Realme Neo7 SE with the 80W charger is expected to take around 35-40 minutes, depending on background processes and battery temperature.
❓ Does the Honor X8c support software updates and security patches regularly?
Honor has improved its software update commitment in recent years. While not as frequent as updates from Samsung or Google, the Honor X8c is expected to receive at least two major Android updates and regular security patches for a reasonable period.