The Realme XT 730G and Honor 9X Pro represent compelling options in the mid-range smartphone market, both aiming to deliver a balanced experience without breaking the bank. However, they approach this goal with different chipsets – Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 730G and Huawei’s Kirin 810 – and varying strengths in areas like charging and display. This comparison dissects these differences to help you choose the right phone for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing fast charging and a slightly more modern chipset, the Realme XT 730G emerges as the winner. Its 30W charging significantly reduces downtime. However, the Honor 9X Pro’s excellent 104-hour endurance rating and comparable performance make it a strong contender for those valuing battery life above all else.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat12 600/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | Not announced yet | 2019, July 23. Released 2019, August 09 |
| Status | Cancelled | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 158.7 x 75.2 x 8.6 mm (6.25 x 2.96 x 0.34 in) | 163.5 x 77.3 x 8.8 mm (6.44 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 183 g (6.46 oz) | 202 g (7.13 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~391 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.59 inches, 106.6 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x1.88 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM730 Snapdragon 730G (8 nm) | Kirin 810 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Mali-G52 MP6 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), planned upgrade to Android 10, ColorOS 6 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, EMUI 9.1, no Google Play Services |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 13mm (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, 120˚ (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | - |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | Motorized pop-up 16 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE (International)5.0, A2DP, LE (China) |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 30W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Pearl White, Pearl Blue | Midnight Black, Phantom Purple |
| Models | - | HLK-AL10, HLK-TL10, HLK-L41, HLK-L42 |
| Price | - | About 230 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 104h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1319:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-31.1 LUFS (Below average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 312668 (v8)
GeekBench: 7836 (v4.4), 1911 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 18fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Realme XT 730G
- 30W Fast Charging for quick power-ups
- Snapdragon 730G offers solid gaming performance
- 8nm process provides good efficiency
- Battery capacity is unknown
- Display specifications are limited
Honor 9X Pro
- Exceptional 104-hour battery endurance
- 7nm Kirin 810 potentially offers better efficiency
- 517 nits peak brightness provides good visibility
- Slow 10W charging
- GPU performance may be slightly lower than Snapdragon 730G
Display Comparison
The Honor 9X Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 517 nits and a 1319:1 contrast ratio, providing a visually pleasing experience. While the Realme XT 730G’s display specifications aren’t provided, the Honor’s contrast ratio is a strong point. Both devices share the same nominal contrast ratio of 1319:1, suggesting similar panel technology. The Honor 9X Pro’s brightness is sufficient for outdoor visibility, but the Realme XT 730G’s display quality remains unknown without further data. The lack of information on Realme’s panel tech (e.g., refresh rate, PWM dimming) makes a definitive comparison difficult.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, lacking specific details. Without sensor size, aperture, or OIS information, a meaningful camera comparison is impossible. It’s reasonable to assume both phones offer a multi-camera setup typical of the mid-range segment, but the quality will heavily depend on the image processing algorithms and sensor quality, which are unknown. The absence of details necessitates caution; relying on megapixel counts alone would be misleading.
Performance
The Realme XT 730G utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G, fabricated on an 8nm process, while the Honor 9X Pro features the Kirin 810 built on a more efficient 7nm node. While the Kirin 810’s 7nm process *suggests* better power efficiency, the Snapdragon 730G’s Kryo 470 Gold cores (2x2.2 GHz) are optimized for sustained performance. Both CPUs employ an octa-core configuration with similar clock speeds for their performance cores (2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 in the Honor vs 2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold in the Realme). The Snapdragon 730G’s Adreno 618 GPU is generally considered to offer a slight edge in gaming performance over the Kirin 810’s Mali-G52 MP6. The 7nm process of the Kirin 810 could translate to slightly lower temperatures under sustained load, but the Snapdragon 730G’s optimized cores provide a strong counterpoint.
Battery Life
The Honor 9X Pro shines with an impressive endurance rating of 104 hours, indicating exceptional battery life. However, it’s hampered by a slow 10W wired charging solution. The Realme XT 730G compensates with a significantly faster 30W wired charging capability, drastically reducing charging times. While the Realme XT 730G’s battery capacity is not specified, the 30W charging suggests a focus on quick top-ups, while the Honor 9X Pro prioritizes longevity. A user who frequently travels or lacks easy access to power outlets would benefit from the Honor’s endurance, while someone who needs a quick boost throughout the day would prefer the Realme.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme XT 730G if you need rapid charging and a chipset known for consistent gaming performance. This phone is ideal for users who frequently game or stream content on the go. Buy the Honor 9X Pro if you prioritize exceptional battery life and don't mind slower charging speeds. This is the better choice for users who need a phone that can reliably last through a full day of heavy use without needing a top-up.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Kirin 810 in the Honor 9X Pro experience significant throttling during extended gaming sessions?
While the Kirin 810’s 7nm process *suggests* better thermal management, sustained gaming performance can vary. Without specific thermal testing data, it’s difficult to definitively say. However, the Snapdragon 730G in the Realme XT 730G is known for its optimized cores and consistent performance, potentially offering a more stable gaming experience over longer periods.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Realme XT 730G with its 30W charger?
With 30W fast charging, the Realme XT 730G is expected to charge from 0-100% in approximately 60-70 minutes, depending on the battery capacity (which is not specified). This is a significant improvement over the Honor 9X Pro’s 10W charging, which would likely take over 3 hours for a full charge.
❓ Is the difference in chipset architecture (Snapdragon 730G vs Kirin 810) noticeable in everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
For typical daily usage, the difference between the Snapdragon 730G and Kirin 810 is unlikely to be dramatically noticeable. Both chipsets are capable of handling everyday tasks smoothly. The difference will become more apparent during demanding tasks like gaming or video editing.
