The Xiaomi Poco C65 and Honor X8b represent compelling options in the crowded sub-$200 smartphone market. While both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price, they take different approaches to achieving this. The Poco C65 leans on MediaTek’s Helio G85 for processing power, while the Honor X8b opts for Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 680. This comparison dissects these choices, revealing which phone offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing efficient performance and faster charging, the Honor X8b emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 680, built on a 6nm process, offers improved power efficiency and a smoother experience compared to the Poco C65’s Helio G85, despite the latter’s slightly higher clock speeds. The 35W charging also significantly reduces downtime.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, November 05 | 2023, December 14 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, November 06 | Available. Released 2023, December 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass), plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 168 x 78 x 8.1 mm (6.61 x 3.07 x 0.32 in) | 161.1 x 74.6 x 6.8 mm (6.34 x 2.94 x 0.27 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 192 g (6.77 oz) | 166 g (5.86 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~394 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.74 inches, 109.7 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.0 cm2 (~89.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 450 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM) | AMOLED, 90Hz, 1200 nits (HBM), 2000 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, HyperOS 2 | Android 13, MagicOS 7.2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | - | 108 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.67", PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 50 MP, f/2.1, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio, recording | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, PD | 35W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Purple | Glamorous Green, Titanium Silver, Midnight Black, Blue |
| Models | 2310FPCA4G, 2310FPCA4I | LLY-LX1, LLY-LX2, LLY-LX3 |
| Price | € 99.95 / $ 139.99 / £ 115.99 / ₹ 8,999 | $ 369.00 / € 219.99 |
| SAR EU | 0.99 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) | - |
Xiaomi Poco C65
- Longer active use battery life (11:31h)
- Competitive price point
- Decent display contrast ratio
- Less efficient chipset (12nm)
- Slower 18W charging
- Potentially lower sustained performance
Honor X8b
- More efficient chipset (6nm)
- Faster 35W charging
- Potentially smoother user experience
- Battery life potentially lower than Poco C65
- Detailed camera specs unknown
- May be slightly more expensive
Display Comparison
The Honor X8b and Poco C65 both feature displays adequate for their price point, but differ in key metrics. The Poco C65 achieves a measured peak brightness of 607 nits and a 1555:1 contrast ratio. While respectable, the X8b’s display specifications are not provided, it’s likely to be similar. The absence of high refresh rate panels on either device is standard for this segment. The Poco C65’s contrast ratio suggests decent black levels, but the X8b’s panel technology and color accuracy remain unknown, making a definitive judgment difficult without further testing.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are expected to offer basic camera capabilities, but detailed specifications are limited. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is challenging. Both devices likely feature a primary camera alongside auxiliary lenses, but the quality of these secondary sensors is often minimal. Image processing will play a crucial role, and brand-specific algorithms will differentiate the final results. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device suggests that low-light performance will be a compromise.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Poco C65 utilizes the MediaTek Helio G85 (12nm), featuring an octa-core configuration with 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 and 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The Honor X8b, however, employs the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 (6nm) with an octa-core setup of 4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold and 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver cores. The Snapdragon 680’s 6nm fabrication process is a significant advantage, offering superior power efficiency and potentially better sustained performance under load compared to the Helio G85’s 12nm process. While the G85’s Cortex-A75 cores have a higher peak clock speed, the Snapdragon 680’s architecture and efficiency gains likely translate to a smoother overall experience, especially during multitasking and gaming.
Battery Life
The Poco C65 boasts an active use battery score of 11:31h, indicating solid endurance. The Honor X8b’s battery capacity is not specified, but its 35W wired charging capability is a major advantage over the Poco C65’s 18W charging. This faster charging significantly reduces downtime, allowing users to quickly top up their battery. While the Poco C65’s longer runtime is appealing, the convenience of the X8b’s faster charging is a compelling trade-off.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Poco C65 if you prioritize maximizing active usage time and are comfortable with a slower charging experience. It’s ideal for users who primarily need a reliable phone for basic tasks and extended media consumption. Buy the Honor X8b if you value a more responsive user experience, faster charging, and a more efficient chipset, making it better suited for multitasking and light gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 680 in the Honor X8b struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Snapdragon 680 isn't a gaming powerhouse, it's capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium settings with acceptable frame rates. The 6nm process helps maintain thermal control, preventing significant throttling during extended gaming sessions. However, users seeking a high-framerate, ultra-graphics experience should consider a more powerful chipset.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Poco C65 with the 18W charger?
Given the 18W charging and likely battery capacity (estimated around 5000mAh), a full charge for the Poco C65 will likely take between 2.5 to 3.5 hours. This is considerably slower than the Honor X8b's 35W charging, which can potentially achieve a full charge in under 1.5 hours.
❓ Is the Helio G85 in the Poco C65 sufficient for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and video streaming?
Yes, the Helio G85 is perfectly adequate for everyday tasks. It provides a smooth experience for browsing, social media, and video streaming. However, multitasking with numerous apps open simultaneously may reveal its limitations compared to the more efficient Snapdragon 680.
