vivo V40 Lite vs Honor X9b: A Deep Dive into the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 Experience

The vivo V40 Lite and Honor X9b represent a growing trend: phones offering a surprisingly capable experience at a competitive price point. Both devices are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, making a direct comparison crucial for budget-conscious consumers. This analysis will dissect their differences, focusing on charging, and potential software nuances to determine which phone delivers the most value.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing faster charging and potential software customization, the vivo V40 Lite emerges as the slightly better choice. Its 44W charging significantly reduces top-up times compared to the Honor X9b’s 35W, a tangible benefit for daily use. However, Honor’s MagicOS may appeal to those seeking a distinct UI.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo V40 Lite Honor X9b
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 26, 28, 66, 75, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2024, July 142023, October 18
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, July 14Available. Released 2023, October
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic frame, glass back or plastic back-
Dimensions164.4 x 74.8 x 7.7 mm (6.47 x 2.94 x 0.30 in)163.6 x 75.5 x 8 mm (6.44 x 2.97 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight179 g or 188 g (6.31 oz)185 g (6.53 oz)
Display
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~388 ppi density)1220 x 2652 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~431 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~90.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 112.6 cm2 (~91.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1300 nits (peak)AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1200 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM6450 Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM6450 Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 710Adreno 710
OSAndroid 14, Funtouch 14Android 13, Magic OS 7.2
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal256GB 8GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesRing-LED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, panorama, HDR
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.95", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.67", PDAF 5 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single32 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide)16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging44W wired, PD Reverse wired35W wired Reverse wired
TypeLi-Ion 5500 mAhLi-Po 5800 mAh
Misc
ColorsClassy Brown, Dreamy WhiteSunrise Orange, Midnight Black, Emerald Green
Models-ALI-NX1
Price$ 127.08About 970 EUR
SAR EU0.99 W/kg (head)     1.18 W/kg (body)-

vivo V40 Lite

  • Faster 44W charging with PD support
  • Reverse wired charging capability
  • Potentially more software customization options

  • Software experience can vary by region
  • Camera performance likely similar to Honor X9b

Honor X9b

  • Potentially cleaner software experience (MagicOS)
  • Sleek design aesthetic (typical of Honor)
  • Reverse wired charging capability

  • Slower 35W charging
  • Performance identical to vivo V40 Lite

Display Comparison

Both devices are likely to feature similar LCD panels, given their price bracket. While specific display specs (resolution, refresh rate) are missing, the focus here is on charging. Display quality will likely be adequate for everyday use, but neither is expected to compete with flagship OLED panels. Bezels are likely comparable, and color accuracy will depend on software calibration.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. Both phones likely employ a multi-camera setup, but the quality will heavily depend on the main sensor and image processing algorithms. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely inconsequential; its utility is limited by its low resolution. Expect adequate performance in well-lit conditions, but low-light photography will likely be a weak point for both.

Performance

The core of both phones is the Qualcomm SM6450 Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4nm). This chipset features an octa-core CPU configuration – 4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 and 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55. Performance will be virtually identical in CPU-bound tasks. The 4nm process node ensures reasonable thermal efficiency, minimizing throttling during sustained workloads. However, RAM configuration (LPDDR4x vs LPDDR5) is unknown, which could introduce a minor performance difference. The GPU performance will also be identical, suitable for moderate gaming at medium settings.

Battery Life

The battery capacity is not specified, but both phones will likely house a battery in the 5000mAh range, typical for this segment. The key differentiator is charging speed. The vivo V40 Lite’s 44W wired charging with PD support offers a significant advantage over the Honor X9b’s 35W charging. This translates to a faster 0-100% charge time, potentially shaving off 30-60 minutes. Both support reverse wired charging, allowing them to act as power banks for other devices, a useful feature for travelers or those with multiple gadgets.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo V40 Lite if you need rapid charging and appreciate the flexibility of reverse wired charging for accessories. It’s ideal for users who frequently find themselves needing a quick power boost. Buy the Honor X9b if you prefer a potentially cleaner software experience (depending on regional variations of MagicOS) and prioritize a brand known for its design aesthetic. It suits users who value a polished user interface and are less concerned with charging speed.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 in either phone struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact?
The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 is a capable chipset, but it's not designed for ultra-high settings in graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact. Expect playable frame rates at medium settings with some occasional dips. Thermal management will be key; prolonged gaming may lead to throttling.
❓ Is the reverse wired charging feature useful, and how fast does it charge other devices?
Reverse wired charging is a convenient feature for topping up accessories like wireless earbuds or smartwatches. However, the charging speed is limited by the phone's output capabilities and the receiving device's input requirements. Expect slower charging speeds compared to a dedicated wall charger.
❓ What version of Android do these phones ship with, and how many software updates are guaranteed?
The Android version and update guarantee vary by region. Typically, phones in this price range ship with a slightly older version of Android (likely Android 13 or 14) and receive at least one major OS update and several security patches. Check the manufacturer's website for specific details for your region.