The Xiaomi Poco M7 Plus and Honor X9b represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range smartphone market. Both devices aim to deliver a balanced experience, but they take different approaches, primarily centered around their respective Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets. This comparison will dissect the nuances of the Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 and 6 Gen 1 to determine which phone offers the best performance, battery life, and overall value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and potentially better long-term software support, the Honor X9b emerges as the stronger contender. Its Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, built on a more efficient 4nm process, offers a slight edge in CPU and GPU performance, coupled with 35W fast charging. However, the Poco M7 Plus remains a viable option for those seeking a slightly lower price point.
| 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, 20, 28, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 20, 28, 40, 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 / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, August 13 | 2023, October 18 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, August 19 | Available. Released 2023, October |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 168.5 x 80.5 x 8.4 mm (6.63 x 3.17 x 0.33 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 | 217 g (7.65 oz) | 185 g (6.53 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~374 ppi density) | 1220 x 2652 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~431 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.9 inches, 116.9 cm2 (~86.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.78 inches, 112.6 cm2 (~91.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 144Hz, 700 nits (typ), 850 nits (HBM) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1200 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6450 Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 710 |
| OS | Android 15, up to 2 major Android upgrades, HyperOS 2 | Android 13, Magic OS 7.2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | 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 | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired
18W reverse wired | 35W wired
Reverse wired |
| Type | Si/C Li-Ion 7000 mAh | Li-Po 5800 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Chrome Silver, Aqua Blue, Carbon Black | Sunrise Orange, Midnight Black, Emerald Green |
| Models | - | ALI-NX1 |
| Price | ₹ 11,371 | About 970 EUR |
| SAR | 0.86 W/kg (head) 0.81 W/kg (body) | - |
Xiaomi Poco M7 Plus
- Potentially lower price point
- 18W reverse wired charging
- Slightly higher CPU clock speed on prime cores
- Less efficient 6nm chipset
- Potentially lower sustained performance due to thermal throttling
- Likely less optimized software updates
Honor X9b
- More efficient 4nm chipset
- Faster 35W charging
- Potentially better long-term software support
- May be slightly more expensive
- Reverse charging wattage unspecified
- Slightly lower CPU clock speed on prime cores
Display Comparison
While display specifications aren't provided, both phones likely feature LCD panels typical of this price bracket. However, the chipset differences indirectly impact display experience. The more efficient Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 in the Honor X9b may allow for slightly more sustained brightness levels without thermal throttling, potentially resulting in better outdoor visibility. The absence of LTPO technology on either device means refresh rates are likely fixed, impacting battery consumption during dynamic content viewing.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, it's difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the chipset's image signal processor (ISP) plays a crucial role. Qualcomm's ISPs generally offer good image processing capabilities, but the newer generation ISP in the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 of the Honor X9b likely provides more advanced features like improved noise reduction and dynamic range. The absence of information regarding sensor size and lens apertures makes a precise comparison impossible, but the Honor X9b's chipset advantage suggests a slight edge in image quality.
Performance
The core of the difference lies in the chipsets. The Honor X9b’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4nm) boasts a more modern architecture and fabrication process than the Poco M7 Plus’s Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 (6nm). While both utilize an octa-core configuration with 4x Cortex-A78 and 4x Cortex-A55 cores, the Gen 1’s 4nm process translates to improved power efficiency and potentially higher sustained clock speeds. The Poco M7 Plus has a slightly higher peak clock speed on its prime cores (2.3GHz vs 2.2GHz), but the architectural and process advantages of the Gen 1 likely outweigh this difference in real-world usage, especially during demanding tasks. The Honor X9b will likely exhibit less thermal throttling under prolonged load.
Battery Life
Both phones offer fast charging, with the Honor X9b edging out the Poco M7 Plus with 35W versus 33W. While the difference isn't massive, it translates to a slightly quicker 0-100% charge time. The 4nm process of the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 in the Honor X9b also contributes to better power efficiency, potentially resulting in longer battery life during typical usage. The 18W reverse wired charging on the Poco M7 Plus is a useful feature for topping up accessories, while the Honor X9b also offers reverse wired charging, though the wattage is unspecified.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Poco M7 Plus if you need a highly affordable device for basic daily tasks, media consumption, and light gaming, and are comfortable with potentially less optimized software updates. Buy the Honor X9b if you prioritize a smoother user experience, slightly better gaming performance, and faster charging, and value a more refined software experience backed by Honor's commitment to updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 in the Poco M7 Plus struggle with graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact?
While the Poco M7 Plus can run Genshin Impact, expect to make significant compromises in graphics settings to maintain a playable frame rate. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 in the Honor X9b will offer a noticeably smoother experience with higher settings and less frame dropping due to its more efficient architecture and GPU.
❓ How much faster is the 35W charging on the Honor X9b compared to the 33W charging on the Poco M7 Plus?
The difference in charging speed is incremental, but noticeable. The Honor X9b will likely charge approximately 10-15% faster from 0-100%, translating to roughly 15-20 minutes saved in charging time. This is further enhanced by the more efficient power management of the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1.
❓ Does the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 in the Honor X9b offer better long-term software support compared to the Poco M7 Plus?
Historically, Honor has demonstrated a stronger commitment to providing longer software update cycles for its devices compared to Xiaomi's Poco sub-brand. While guarantees are never absolute, the Honor X9b is likely to receive more Android version updates and security patches over its lifespan.
