The Tecno Spark 20 Pro+ and Honor X9b represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive sub-$250 smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a feature-rich experience without breaking the bank, they take different approaches to achieving this goal – Tecno prioritizing extended battery life and the X9b focusing on a more modern chipset and build quality. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which phone best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing all-day battery life and aren't demanding gamers, the Tecno Spark 20 Pro+ is the better choice, boasting an impressive 11:56h active use score. However, the Honor X9b, with its more efficient Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4nm), offers a smoother overall experience and potentially better long-term software support.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, December 29 | 2023, October 18 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, February 09 | Available. Released 2023, October |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 164.7 x 75 x 7.6 mm (6.48 x 2.95 x 0.30 in) | 163.6 x 75.5 x 8 mm (6.44 x 2.97 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 179 g (6.31 oz) | 185 g (6.53 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2436 pixels (~393 ppi density) | 1220 x 2652 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~431 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.78 inches, 109.9 cm2 (~89.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.78 inches, 112.6 cm2 (~91.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1000 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1200 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G99 Ultimate | Qualcomm SM6450 Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 710 |
| OS | Android 14 | Android 13, Magic OS 7.2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.67", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Features | Quad-LED flash, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | - | 108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.67", PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | - |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 0.7µm | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) |
| Video | 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired | 35W wired
Reverse wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5800 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Temporal Orbits, Lunar Frost, Radiant Starstream, Magic Skin 2.0 Green | Sunrise Orange, Midnight Black, Emerald Green |
| Models | KJ7 | ALI-NX1 |
| Price | - | About 970 EUR |
Tecno Spark 20 Pro+
- Exceptional battery life (11:56h active use)
- Competitive price point
- Decent peak brightness for outdoor use
- Older chipset architecture (Helio G99 Ultimate)
- Less efficient CPU compared to Snapdragon 6 Gen 1
- No reverse charging
Honor X9b
- More efficient Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4nm)
- Faster 35W charging with reverse wired charging
- Potentially better long-term software support
- Battery life likely shorter than Tecno Spark 20 Pro+
- May be slightly more expensive
- Specific battery capacity unknown
Display Comparison
The Tecno Spark 20 Pro+ features a display capable of reaching 549 nits of peak brightness, which is adequate for outdoor visibility but may struggle in direct sunlight. The Honor X9b’s display specifications are not provided, but Honor typically focuses on vibrant color reproduction in this segment. The key difference lies under the hood; the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1’s ISP likely offers superior image processing for display output. While neither phone is expected to have an LTPO panel, the efficiency of the Snapdragon chipset could contribute to lower power consumption during display use.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the chipset plays a crucial role. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) is likely more advanced, offering better noise reduction, dynamic range, and overall image quality. While both phones likely feature multi-camera setups, the image processing capabilities of the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 will likely result in more consistently pleasing photos, especially in challenging lighting conditions. We can assume both will include standard features like portrait mode and night mode, but the X9b will likely have a more refined implementation.
Performance
The Honor X9b’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4nm) represents a significant architectural advantage over the Tecno Spark 20 Pro+'s MediaTek Helio G99 Ultimate. The 4nm process node of the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 translates to improved thermal efficiency and power management, meaning less throttling during sustained workloads. While both CPUs feature octa-core configurations, the X9b utilizes Cortex-A78 cores (4x2.2 GHz) which are more performant than the A76 cores (2x2.2 GHz) found in the Tecno. This difference will be most noticeable in demanding applications and gaming. The Helio G99 Ultimate focuses on maximizing performance within its power budget, but the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1’s efficiency gives it an edge.
Battery Life
The Tecno Spark 20 Pro+ shines with its exceptional battery life, achieving 11:56h of active use. While the Honor X9b’s battery capacity is unknown, its 35W charging (versus the Tecno’s 33W) offers a slightly faster recharge time. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1’s 4nm process also contributes to better power efficiency, potentially offsetting the difference in battery capacity. The Honor X9b also includes reverse wired charging, a feature absent on the Tecno, adding convenience for charging accessories.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Spark 20 Pro+ if you need exceptional battery endurance for extended travel, streaming, or simply avoiding mid-day charging. It’s ideal for users who prioritize longevity over raw processing power. Buy the Honor X9b if you prefer a more responsive user interface, slightly better gaming performance, and the benefits of a newer, more power-efficient chipset, even if it means slightly less time between charges. It’s geared towards users who value a smoother, more modern smartphone experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio G99 Ultimate in the Tecno Spark 20 Pro+ struggle with graphically demanding games like Genshin Impact?
The Helio G99 Ultimate can run Genshin Impact, but you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to medium or low to maintain a playable frame rate. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 in the Honor X9b will offer a smoother experience at similar settings due to its more efficient architecture and better GPU performance.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Tecno Spark 20 Pro+ with the 33W charger?
While 33W charging is decent, a full charge from 0-100% on the Tecno Spark 20 Pro+ will likely take around 2 hours, potentially longer depending on usage during charging. The Honor X9b’s 35W charging should shave off some time, potentially reaching full charge in around 1 hour and 45 minutes.
❓ Does the Honor X9b support 5G connectivity?
The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 typically supports 5G connectivity, but this depends on the specific configuration used by Honor. Check the official specifications for the Honor X9b to confirm 5G support in your region.
❓ Is the difference in CPU performance between the Helio G99 Ultimate and Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 noticeable in everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
For basic tasks like browsing, social media, and messaging, the difference in CPU performance will be minimal. However, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 will provide a smoother and more responsive experience when multitasking or switching between apps.
