The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the TCL 305 and the Honor X6. Both promise affordability, but which one delivers the better overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Honor X6 edges out the TCL 305 thanks to its slightly more powerful processor and generally better performance. While both are budget options, the X6 offers a smoother experience for everyday tasks and light gaming. Both share similar charging speeds and display quality.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - 6102D | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - 6102D | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 26, 28, 66 - 6102А | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, January 31 | 2022, September 21 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, February | Available. Released 2022, September 21 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 165.2 x 75.5 x 8.9 mm (6.50 x 2.97 x 0.35 in) | 163.7 x 75.1 x 8.7 mm (6.44 x 2.96 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 194 g (6.84 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 450 nits (typ) | TFT LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition), TCL UI | Android 12, Magic UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide) 1/5.0", 1.12µm | - |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide) 1/3.0", 1.12µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide) 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (VNE-LX1 only) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Space Gray, Atlantic Blue | Ocean Blue, Titanium Silver, Midnight Black |
| Models | 6102D, 5164D | VNE-LX1, VNE-LX2, VNE-LX3 |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 100 EUR |
TCL 305
- Simple and easy to use
- Affordable price
- Decent battery life
- Lower performance
- Basic camera
- Slow charging
Honor X6
- Better performance
- More versatile camera
- Larger screen
- Still a budget phone
- Slow charging
- Design may be less premium
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a large 6.5-inch display, likely with an HD+ resolution. Expect decent viewing angles and color reproduction for the price point, but don't anticipate flagship-level vibrancy. The Honor X6 might have a slightly better panel due to potentially higher brightness levels, but this is difficult to confirm without specific testing data.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are often a weak point in budget phones. The Honor X6 likely features a triple-camera setup (main, wide-angle, depth sensor), while the TCL 305 probably has a dual-camera setup. Image quality will be comparable in good lighting conditions, but both will struggle in low light. Expect decent daytime shots, but don't expect exceptional detail or dynamic range. The Honor X6's additional lenses may offer slightly more versatility.
Performance
Here's where the Honor X6 pulls ahead. The MT6762G Helio G25 chipset, with its octa-core configuration, offers a noticeable performance boost over the TCL 305's quad-core MT6761 Helio A22. Expect smoother app loading, quicker multitasking, and slightly better gaming performance on the Honor X6. The TCL 305 will handle basic tasks adequately, but may struggle with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both phones are expected to have a large battery capacity (likely around 5000mAh), providing all-day battery life for moderate users. Charging speeds are identical at 10W, which is relatively slow by today's standards. Expect a full charge to take around 2-3 hours.
Buying Guide
The TCL 305 is a good choice for users prioritizing a simple, straightforward phone for basic communication and media consumption. The Honor X6 is better suited for those who want a bit more performance for multitasking, social media, and occasional gaming, without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Honor X6 is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful processor. While neither phone is a gaming powerhouse, the X6 will handle lighter games more smoothly.
❓ How much storage do these phones have?
Both phones typically come with 64GB of internal storage, expandable via microSD card. This is standard for budget devices.
❓ What operating system do these phones use?
Both phones run on Android, likely with a custom user interface from TCL and Honor respectively. Expect similar core functionality, but different visual styles.
