Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Motorola Edge 20 Pro and the Honor X8b. I'll break down the specs, tell you what they really mean, and help you figure out which phone might be your next daily driver.
Motorola Edge 20 Pro vs. Honor X8b: A Tech Journalist's Perspective
Here's the breakdown of what these phones offer, stripping away the marketing hype and focusing on the real-world experience.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed look at the key specs, presented in a way that actually tells you something useful:
| Feature | Motorola Edge 20 Pro | Honor X8b | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163 × 76 × 8 mm | 161.1 × 74.6 × 6.8 mm | Edge 20 Pro is slightly taller, wider, and thicker. X8b feels noticeably slimmer and lighter in hand. |
| Weight | 190g | 166g | Honor X8b is significantly lighter, better for one-handed use and carrying around all day. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.7" | Both have large screens, great for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2412 | Essentially identical sharpness. |
| PPI | 385 | 394 | Unnoticeable difference in pixel density. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Very similar, vibrant colors and deep blacks on both. |
| Refresh Rate | 144Hz | 90Hz | Edge 20 Pro is noticeably smoother for scrolling, gaming, and general UI experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2000 nits | The Honor X8b wins by a mile! It will be much better for outdoor visibility. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | HUGE DIFFERENCE. Edge 20 Pro is significantly faster. Better for gaming, multitasking, and overall responsiveness. |
| AnTuTu Score | 813,800 | 250,000 | Edge 20 Pro absolutely crushes the Honor X8b. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 610 | Edge 20 Pro has far superior graphics performance, crucial for gaming. |
| RAM | 12 GB | 8 GB | Edge 20 Pro handles more apps in the background, fewer reloads. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 108MP, f/1.9, 1/1.52" sensor | 108MP, f/1.75 | Honor X8b might perform slightly better in low light due to the wider aperture. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.3 | 50MP, f/2.1 | Honor X8b takes higher resolution selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | 8MP (Edge 20 Pro) | None (Honor X8b) | Edge 20 Pro has better zoom capabilities. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 16MP (Edge 20 Pro) | 5MP (Honor X8b) | Edge 20 Pro takes wider shots with better quality. |
| Macro Lens | None (Edge 20 Pro) | 2MP (Honor X8b) | Honor X8b can take close-up macro shots. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 1080p@30fps | Edge 20 Pro offers significantly higher video recording quality. |
| Camera Features | 4K/8K Video, Optical Zoom, Digital Image Stabilization, Manual Focus | Phase Detection Autofocus (PDAF), Front Flash | Edge 20 Pro for video enthusiasts; Honor X8b for better autofocus and low-light selfies. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4500mAh | Similar battery life, expect a full day of moderate use. |
| Charging | 30W | 35W | Honor X8b charges slightly faster. |
| Features | Reverse Charging (Edge 20 Pro) | None | Edge 20 Pro can charge other devices wirelessly. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 13 | Honor X8b has a newer version of Android, likely with more features and security updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 | Edge 20 Pro has faster Wi-Fi speeds and better performance in congested areas. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.0 | Edge 20 Pro has a slightly newer Bluetooth version. |
| GPS | More Satellite Systems (Edge 20 Pro) | Fewer Satellite Systems (Honor X8b) | Edge 20 Pro offers more accurate location tracking. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 128/256/512 GB | Honor X8b offers a larger 512GB storage option. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD cards. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 (Edge 20 Pro) | Unknown (Honor X8b) | Edge 20 Pro has better screen protection. |
| Other | |||
| Sensors | Gyroscope (Edge 20 Pro) | None (Honor X8b) | Edge 20 Pro is better for gaming and VR applications. |
2. Key Insights
- Motorola Edge 20 Pro: This phone is all about performance. Its Snapdragon 870 chip offers significantly faster processing and graphics power, making it ideal for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications. The 144Hz display adds to the smooth experience. The camera system is more versatile, with 8K video recording, telephoto, and wide-angle lens.
- Honor X8b: The Honor X8b shines with its design and display brightness. It's lighter and slimmer than the Edge 20 Pro, and its high brightness display is a standout feature for outdoor visibility. The main camera takes decent photos, and the 50MP front camera will please selfie enthusiasts.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Motorola Edge 20 Pro:
- Gamers: The Snapdragon 870 and 144Hz display are perfect for smooth, responsive gaming.
- Power Users: Multitaskers and those who need a phone that can handle demanding apps will appreciate the extra RAM and processing power.
- Content Creators: The 8K video recording and versatile camera system make it a great choice for capturing high-quality video and photos.
- Honor X8b:
- Casual Users: Those who prioritize a lightweight, stylish phone with a great display for everyday use.
- Selfie Lovers: The 50MP front camera takes high-quality selfies.
- Outdoor Enthusiasts: The bright display ensures excellent visibility even in direct sunlight.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- Do you prioritize performance for gaming and demanding apps? If yes, the Motorola Edge 20 Pro is the clear winner.
- Is a slim, lightweight design and bright display more important to you? The Honor X8b excels in these areas.
- What's your budget? The Edge 20 Pro is likely more expensive given its superior performance.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Mobile Gaming: Get the Motorola Edge 20 Pro. The Snapdragon 870 and 144Hz display will give you a competitive edge.
- Scenario 2: Everyday Use and Selfies: The Honor X8b offers a more balanced experience with a focus on design, display, and front camera.
- Scenario 3: Photography and Videography: The Edge 20 Pro has a more versatile camera system for high-quality content creation.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would personally go for the Motorola Edge 20 Pro.
Here's why:
As a tech journalist and analyst, I value performance above all else. The Snapdragon 870 is a significantly more powerful chip, and for me, the smoother experience in everything from gaming to everyday multitasking is worth more than the Honor X8b's lighter design and brighter screen.
While the Honor X8b has a great design and a fantastic display, the performance difference is just too significant to ignore. I often find myself editing photos and videos on my phone, and the Edge 20 Pro's extra power and better camera system would be a huge asset. Plus, the higher refresh rate display will make scrolling feel much more fluid.
Ultimately, the "better" phone depends on your priorities, but for my needs, the Motorola Edge 20 Pro offers the superior overall experience.
