The TCL 40R and Honor X8c represent compelling options in the crowded sub-$200 smartphone market. While both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price, they take distinctly different approaches to achieving this. The TCL 40R leverages the Mediatek Dimensity 700, while the Honor X8c opts for the Qualcomm Snapdragon 685. This comparison will dissect the implications of these chipset choices, alongside differences in charging speed and overall user experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing all-day battery life and faster charging, the Honor X8c emerges as the stronger contender. Its Snapdragon 685, built on a more efficient 6nm process, coupled with 35W charging, provides a smoother, more convenient experience than the TCL 40R's Dimensity 700 and 15W charging.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | LTE |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA - T771K, T771K1 | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 7, 28, 66, 71, 78 SA/NSA - T771A | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, October 26 | 2025, January 14 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, October 21 | Available. Released 2025, January 20 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back or silicone polymer back (eco leather) |
| Dimensions | 164.5 x 75.4 x 9 mm (6.48 x 2.97 x 0.35 in) | 161.1 x 74.6 x 7.1 mm (6.34 x 2.94 x 0.28 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 192 g (6.77 oz) | 174 g (6.14 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~394 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.6 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.0 cm2 (~89.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ) | AMOLED, 120Hz, 1200 nits (HBM), 2800 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 685 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 12, TCL UI 4.0 | Android 15, MagicOS 9 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 108 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.67", PDAF, OIS
5 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4", 1.12µm | - |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 50 MP, f/2.1, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | - |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0/5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | 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, compass, proximity (ultrasonic) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 35W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Stardust Purple, Starlight Black | Marrs Green, Midnight Black, Moonlight White, Cloud Purple |
| Models | T771K, T771K1, T771H, T771A | ABR-LX1, ABR-LX2, ABR-LX3 |
| Price | About 240 EUR | € 190.78 / $ 213.42 / £ 159.00 |
TCL 40R
- Potentially higher peak CPU performance for short bursts.
- Mediatek Dimensity 700 offers 5G connectivity.
- May be available at a slightly lower price point.
- Less efficient 7nm process leads to higher power consumption.
- Significantly slower 15W charging.
- Potentially more thermal throttling under sustained load.
Honor X8c
- More efficient 6nm Snapdragon 685 for better battery life.
- Much faster 35W wired charging.
- Qualcomm's optimized software integration for smoother performance.
- Slightly lower peak CPU clock speeds.
- May be slightly more expensive than the TCL 40R.
- 5G connectivity may be limited depending on region.
Display Comparison
Neither TCL nor Honor provide display specifications beyond the basic resolution. However, the choice of chipsets indirectly impacts display performance. The Dimensity 700's slightly more powerful GPU *could* translate to smoother scrolling and animations, but this is heavily dependent on software optimization. Without knowing panel type (IPS vs AMOLED) or refresh rate, it's difficult to definitively declare a winner. Bezels are likely comparable given the price point, and color accuracy will likely be standard for this segment.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is challenging. Both phones likely feature a primary camera and depth/macro sensors. However, the image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 685 is generally considered more advanced, potentially leading to better image processing, especially in low-light conditions. The 6nm process also allows for more efficient power management within the ISP. The TCL 40R's Dimensity 700 ISP is capable, but likely lags behind in computational photography features. We can assume both phones will offer acceptable image quality for social media sharing, but the Honor X8c likely has a slight edge.
Performance
The core architectural difference lies in the chipsets. The TCL 40R’s Dimensity 700 (7nm) features a dual-cluster configuration with 2x Cortex-A76 cores for performance and 6x Cortex-A55 cores for efficiency. The Honor X8c’s Snapdragon 685 (6nm) utilizes 4x Cortex-A73 cores and 4x Cortex-A53 cores. While the Dimensity 700 boasts higher clock speeds on its performance cores (2.2 GHz vs 2.8 GHz on the X8c), the Snapdragon 685 benefits from a more modern and efficient 6nm manufacturing process. This translates to better thermal management and sustained performance under load. The 6nm process allows the Snapdragon 685 to maintain higher clock speeds for longer periods without significant throttling, making it preferable for sustained gaming or multitasking. The Snapdragon 685 also benefits from Qualcomm's optimized software integration.
Battery Life
The Honor X8c’s 35W wired charging is a significant advantage over the TCL 40R’s 15W charging. This means the X8c can replenish its battery much faster, reducing downtime. While battery capacity isn't specified, the Snapdragon 685’s 6nm efficiency will contribute to longer battery life on a single charge. The TCL 40R will likely require more frequent charging due to the less efficient Dimensity 700 and slower charging rate. For users who prioritize minimizing charging time, the Honor X8c is the clear winner.
Buying Guide
Buy the TCL 40R if you prioritize a slightly more powerful CPU core configuration for occasional demanding tasks and don't mind slower charging. This phone suits users who primarily use their phone for basic communication and light social media. Buy the Honor X8c if you value battery efficiency, significantly faster charging speeds, and a generally smoother user experience for everyday tasks. This is the better choice for users who rely heavily on their phone throughout the day and want to minimize downtime.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 685 in the Honor X8c handle popular games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The Snapdragon 685 is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium settings with stable frame rates. While it won't deliver a flagship gaming experience, the 6nm process and Qualcomm's optimizations help prevent significant overheating and throttling during extended gaming sessions, providing a more consistent experience than the Dimensity 700 might offer.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Honor X8c from 0% with the 35W charger?
While a precise figure requires testing, the Honor X8c's 35W charging should fully charge the device in approximately 60-75 minutes, depending on battery capacity. This is a substantial improvement over the TCL 40R's 15W charging, which would likely take over two hours to reach 100%.
❓ Is the difference in CPU clock speeds between the Dimensity 700 and Snapdragon 685 noticeable in everyday use?
In most everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and messaging, the difference in CPU clock speeds will be minimal. The Snapdragon 685's efficiency and software optimization contribute to a smoother overall experience, even with slightly lower peak clock speeds. The Dimensity 700 might show a slight advantage in CPU-intensive tasks, but the difference is unlikely to be significant for the average user.
