The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The ZTE Blade V50 Vita and Honor X8b both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price, but they take different approaches. The ZTE relies on the Unisoc T606, while the Honor opts for Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 680. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Honor X8b is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 680, built on a more efficient 6nm process, provides noticeably better performance and thermal management compared to the ZTE Blade V50 Vita’s Unisoc T606. The 35W charging is a significant advantage, offsetting the slightly smaller battery.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, September | 2023, December 14 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, October | Available. Released 2023, December 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 167.4 x 76 x 8.3 mm (6.59 x 2.99 x 0.33 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 | 204 g (7.20 oz) | 166 g (5.86 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~394 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.75 inches, 110.0 cm2 (~86.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.0 cm2 (~89.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | AMOLED, 90Hz, 1200 nits (HBM), 2000 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 13, MagicOS 7.2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | No |
| Internal | 256GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 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 | - | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, (wide) | 50 MP, f/2.1, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | 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, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 35W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5200 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Glamorous Green, Titanium Silver, Midnight Black, Blue |
| Models | - | LLY-LX1, LLY-LX2, LLY-LX3 |
| Price | About 110 EUR | $ 369.00 / € 219.99 |
ZTE Blade V50 Vita
- Potentially lower price point
- Functional for basic tasks
- Acceptable for light users
- Less powerful Unisoc T606 chipset
- Slower 18W charging
- Likely less efficient power consumption
Honor X8b
- More powerful Snapdragon 680 chipset
- Faster 35W charging
- Improved power efficiency
- Slightly higher price
- LCD display lacks advanced features
- Camera performance is still entry-level
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Specifications are unavailable for the ZTE Blade V50 Vita's display, suggesting a standard LCD panel. The Honor X8b also utilizes an LCD, but its focus is on size at 6.5 inches. The lack of high refresh rates or advanced panel technologies like LTPO on either device means the visual experience will be adequate but not exceptional. Bezels are likely to be substantial on both, typical for this price bracket.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar, with both phones targeting the entry-level segment. Detailed sensor information is missing for both, but it’s safe to assume both will feature a primary camera and potentially depth/macro sensors of limited utility. Image processing will be a key differentiator, and Qualcomm’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) within the Snapdragon 680 generally offers better noise reduction and dynamic range compared to Unisoc’s offerings. Expect acceptable results in good lighting conditions, but struggles in low light.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Honor X8b’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 (6nm) significantly outperforms the ZTE Blade V50 Vita’s Unisoc T606 (12nm). The 6nm process node allows for greater transistor density and improved power efficiency, translating to less heat generation and sustained performance. The Snapdragon 680’s CPU configuration – 4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver – is also more powerful than the Unisoc T606’s 2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55. This means faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user interface on the Honor X8b. While both likely feature similar RAM configurations, the Snapdragon 680’s superior architecture will make better use of it.
Battery Life
The Honor X8b’s 35W wired charging is a clear advantage over the ZTE Blade V50 Vita’s 18W charging. This translates to significantly faster top-up times. While battery capacity isn’t specified for the ZTE, the Honor X8b’s battery size is also not specified, the faster charging speed will likely make up for any capacity difference. The Snapdragon 680’s superior power efficiency also contributes to potentially longer battery life on the Honor X8b, even with similar capacity.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE Blade V50 Vita if your primary need is a basic, functional smartphone for light tasks like calls, messaging, and occasional social media browsing, and you prioritize minimizing upfront cost. Buy the Honor X8b if you value smoother multitasking, a more responsive user experience, faster charging, and are willing to spend a little more for a more refined overall experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc T606 in the ZTE Blade V50 Vita struggle with modern mobile games?
Yes, the Unisoc T606 is a budget chipset and will likely struggle with graphically demanding games. Expect low frame rates and the need to lower graphics settings significantly, even for less intensive titles. The Snapdragon 680 in the Honor X8b offers a much smoother gaming experience.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Honor X8b with the 35W charger?
While a precise time requires testing, the Honor X8b’s 35W charging should fully charge the battery in approximately 60-90 minutes, depending on the battery capacity. This is considerably faster than the ZTE Blade V50 Vita’s 18W charging, which could take over two hours.
❓ Is the camera on either phone good enough for casual social media use?
Both phones will be adequate for casual social media photos in good lighting conditions. However, don't expect exceptional detail or low-light performance. The Honor X8b's Snapdragon 680 may offer slightly better image processing, resulting in more pleasing photos.
