The iQOO Z7x and Honor X9b represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range 5G smartphone market. The Z7x prioritizes rapid charging and a value-focused approach, while the X9b leverages a newer chipset for improved efficiency and potentially sustained performance. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Honor X9b is the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, built on a 4nm process, offers a noticeable efficiency and performance advantage over the iQOO Z7x’s Snapdragon 695. While the Z7x boasts faster 80W charging, the X9b’s more modern chipset provides a better long-term user experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1x | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, March 20 | 2023, October 18 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, March 24 | Available. Released 2023, October |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.6 x 75.8 x 9.1 mm (6.48 x 2.98 x 0.36 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 | 205 g (7.23 oz) | 185 g (6.53 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~395 ppi density) | 1220 x 2652 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~431 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.64 inches, 106.8 cm2 (~85.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.78 inches, 112.6 cm2 (~91.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1200 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6450 Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 710 |
| OS | Android 13, Funtouch 13 (Global), Origin OS 3 (China) | Android 13, Magic OS 7.2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | - |
| Triple | - | 108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.67", PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | - |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c), GALILEO (E1), QZSS (L1) | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 80W wired, 70% in 34 min | 35W wired
Reverse wired |
| Type | 6000 mAh | Li-Po 5800 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Tropical Blue, Metallic Grey, Orange | Sunrise Orange, Midnight Black, Emerald Green |
| Models | V2272A | ALI-NX1 |
| Price | About 180 EUR | About 970 EUR |
vivo iQOO Z7x
- Significantly faster 80W wired charging
- Potentially lower price point
- Value-focused feature set
- Less efficient Snapdragon 695 chipset
- Older 6nm manufacturing process
- Potentially more thermal throttling
Honor X9b
- More efficient Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset
- 4nm manufacturing process for better power management
- Reverse wired charging capability
- Slower 35W wired charging
- Potentially higher price
- May lack some of the Z7x's aggressive value-add features
Display Comparison
Neither device’s display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the market positioning, both likely utilize LCD panels. The absence of LTPO technology suggests neither will offer adaptive refresh rates for power saving. Bezels are likely comparable, and color accuracy will depend on software calibration. Without specific data, it’s reasonable to assume display quality will be similar, making other factors more decisive.
Camera Comparison
Without sensor details, a detailed camera comparison is impossible. However, the market segment suggests both phones will feature a primary camera supplemented by macro and depth sensors. The absence of OIS information implies neither phone will have optical image stabilization. Image processing will likely differ, with Honor potentially leaning towards more saturated colors and iQOO aiming for a more natural look. The usefulness of a 2MP macro camera on either device is questionable, offering limited detail and dynamic range.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Honor X9b’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4nm) is a significant upgrade over the iQOO Z7x’s Snapdragon 695 (6nm). The 4nm process inherently provides better power efficiency, translating to less heat generation and potentially less throttling under sustained load. While both CPUs feature octa-core configurations with a 2.2GHz peak clock speed, the X9b utilizes Cortex-A78 cores, which offer a substantial architectural improvement over the Kryo 660 Gold cores in the Z7x. This means the X9b will likely exhibit superior single-core and multi-core performance, benefiting demanding applications and gaming. The Z7x’s 6nm process will consume more power for similar tasks.
Battery Life
The iQOO Z7x’s 80W wired charging is its headline battery feature, capable of reaching 70% charge in just 34 minutes. The Honor X9b’s 35W charging is considerably slower. However, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1’s superior efficiency may offset the difference in charging speed. The X9b will likely consume less power during typical usage, potentially resulting in comparable or even better real-world battery life despite a potentially smaller battery capacity (not specified). The X9b also offers reverse wired charging, a convenience feature absent on the Z7x.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo iQOO Z7x if you absolutely prioritize the fastest possible charging speeds and are on a very tight budget. Its 80W charging is a standout feature. Buy the Honor X9b if you value a more efficient processor, potentially better sustained performance during gaming or demanding tasks, and a slightly more future-proof platform. The X9b is the better all-rounder.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 in the Honor X9b handle demanding games like PUBG or Genshin Impact smoothly?
The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 offers a noticeable performance uplift over the 695. While it won't deliver flagship-level gaming, it should handle PUBG at medium to high settings and Genshin Impact at lower settings with acceptable frame rates. The 4nm process will also help mitigate thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions, providing a more consistent experience.
❓ How much faster is the 80W charging on the iQOO Z7x compared to the 35W charging on the Honor X9b in real-world use?
The iQOO Z7x can reach 70% charge in approximately 34 minutes. The Honor X9b will take considerably longer – likely over an hour to reach the same level. This makes the Z7x ideal for users who frequently need to quickly top up their battery, while the X9b’s slower charging is less of a concern for overnight charging.
❓ Does the Snapdragon 695 in the iQOO Z7x support carrier aggregation for improved 5G speeds?
The Snapdragon 695 does support carrier aggregation, which allows it to combine multiple 5G channels for faster download and upload speeds. However, the actual speeds experienced will depend on your carrier’s network and coverage.
❓ Is the difference in chipset efficiency between the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 and 695 noticeable in everyday use?
Yes, the 4nm process of the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 results in significantly improved power efficiency. This translates to longer battery life during typical usage scenarios like browsing, social media, and video streaming. You'll likely notice the X9b lasting longer on a single charge compared to the Z7x.
