The Tecno Phantom X and Honor 500 represent distinct approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The Phantom X, an older model, prioritizes endurance, while the Honor 500 aims to deliver near-flagship performance with the latest Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chipset. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Honor 500 is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chipset provides a substantial performance leap over the Tecno Phantom X’s Helio G95, making it better suited for demanding tasks and future-proofing. However, the Phantom X’s 122-hour endurance rating remains a compelling advantage for those prioritizing battery life above all else.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | LTE |
| 5G bands | - | SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, June 24 | 2025, November 24 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, July 06 | Available. Released 2025, November 27 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back (Gorilla Glass 5) | Glass front, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 163.5 x 73.8 x 8.7 mm (6.44 x 2.91 x 0.34 in) | 155.8 x 74.2 x 7.8 mm (6.13 x 2.92 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 201 g (7.09 oz) | 198 g (6.98 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Aluminosilicate glass |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~385 ppi density) | 1264 x 2736 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~91.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.55 inches, 105.4 cm2 (~91.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 90Hz | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 3840Hz PWM, HDR Vivid, 6000 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x3.21 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A720) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6785V/CD Helio G95 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM8735 Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 825 |
| OS | Android 11, HIOS 7.6 | Android 16, MagicOS 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 48 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm
8 MP, f/2.2, 105˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 200 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.4", 0.56µm, PDAF, OIS
12 MP, f/2.2, 117˚ (ultrawide), AF |
| Features | Laser AF, Quad-LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.3", 1.2µm, dual pixel PDAF
13 MP, f/2.4, 50mm (telephoto), PDAF, 2x optical zoom
8 MP, f/2.3, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF | - |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K, 1080p, gyro-EIS, OIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | 48 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm
8 MP, f/2.2, 105˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | - |
| Features | Dual-LED flash | HDR |
| Single | - | 50 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K, 1080p, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | - |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 6.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LHDC 5, Auracast, ASHA |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a+B2b), GALILEO (E1+E5a+E5b), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5) |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass (ultrasound) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, 70% in 30 min | 80W wired
5W reverse wired |
| Type | 4700 mAh | Si/C Li-Ion 8000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Starry Night Blue, Monet Summer | Black, Silver, Blue, Pink |
| Models | AC8 | MEY-AN00 |
| Price | About 470 EUR | About 330 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 122h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
-26.7 LUFS (Good)
| - |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 309055 (v8)
GeekBench: 1670 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Tecno Phantom X
- Exceptional battery endurance (122h)
- More affordable (likely, given age)
- 33W fast charging
- Outdated Helio G95 chipset
- Lower display brightness
- Limited future-proofing
Honor 500
- Powerful Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chipset
- 80W ultra-fast charging
- 5W reverse wired charging
- More efficient 4nm process
- Potentially shorter battery life (unconfirmed)
- Likely higher price point
Display Comparison
The Tecno Phantom X features a display with a measured peak brightness of 405 nits. While adequate for indoor use, this falls short of modern standards and will struggle in direct sunlight. The Honor 500’s display specifications are not provided, but given its positioning, we can expect a brighter panel. The Phantom X’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio is a nominal specification, lacking the precision of a measured contrast ratio. Without further details on the Honor 500’s panel technology (LTPO, refresh rate), it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment, but the newer device likely benefits from advancements in display technology.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but specific details are absent. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing information, a direct comparison is impossible. However, given the Honor 500’s more modern chipset, it’s likely to benefit from more advanced image signal processing (ISP) capabilities, potentially leading to better image quality, especially in low-light conditions. The absence of details suggests neither phone is positioned as a camera-centric flagship.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Tecno Phantom X utilizes the Mediatek Helio G95 (12nm), an older processor with an octa-core configuration (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55). This is significantly outmatched by the Honor 500’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 (4nm). The 4nm process node of the Snapdragon offers vastly improved power efficiency and transistor density, resulting in superior performance and reduced thermal throttling. The Snapdragon 8s Gen 4’s CPU configuration – (1x3.21 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A720) – represents a substantial architectural upgrade, particularly with the inclusion of the Cortex-X4 prime core. This translates to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user experience on the Honor 500.
Battery Life
The Tecno Phantom X boasts an impressive endurance rating of 122 hours, indicating excellent battery life. However, the Honor 500 compensates with significantly faster charging: 80W wired charging versus the Phantom X’s 33W. The Honor 500 can reach 70% charge in just 30 minutes, while the Phantom X takes longer. The Honor 500 also includes 5W reverse wired charging, a feature absent on the Phantom X. While the Phantom X excels in longevity, the Honor 500’s rapid charging mitigates the impact of a potentially smaller battery capacity, offering convenience for users who need a quick power boost.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Phantom X if you absolutely need the longest possible battery life and are willing to compromise on performance. It’s ideal for users who primarily browse, communicate, and consume media without heavy gaming or multitasking. Buy the Honor 500 if you prioritize a smooth, responsive experience, enjoy mobile gaming, and want a phone that will remain capable for years to come. It’s the better option for power users and those seeking a future-proof device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Helio G95 in the Tecno Phantom X struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact?
Yes, the Helio G95 is a mid-range chipset that will likely struggle to deliver a consistently smooth experience in graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact. Expect lower frame rates and potential stuttering, even on medium settings. The Honor 500’s Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 is far better equipped to handle such titles.
❓ How much faster is the 80W charging on the Honor 500 compared to the 33W charging on the Tecno Phantom X in real-world use?
The 80W charging on the Honor 500 will significantly reduce charging times. While the Phantom X takes over an hour to fully charge, the Honor 500 can likely reach a full charge in under 40 minutes. The Honor 500’s ability to reach 70% charge in 30 minutes is a substantial convenience factor.
❓ Is the lack of detailed camera specs on both phones a sign of poor camera performance?
Not necessarily, but it suggests neither phone is a primary focus for photography enthusiasts. The absence of information like sensor size and aperture makes it difficult to assess their capabilities. However, the Honor 500’s newer chipset likely provides better image processing capabilities, potentially leading to improved image quality.
