1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Oppo Find X3 Neo | Honor X8a | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.9 x 72.5 x 8 mm | 162.9 x 74.5 x 7.5 mm | Honor X8a is slightly taller and wider, Oppo Find X3 Neo is thicker, which might affect one-handed use and pocketability. |
| Weight | 184g | 179g | Honor X8a is marginally lighter, which could be more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.55" | 6.7" | Honor X8a provides a slightly larger viewing area, which might be better for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2388 | Both offer similar sharpness; differences are negligible. |
| Pixel Density | 402 PPI | 391 PPI | Both have very similar sharpness; differences are negligible. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Oppo Find X3 Neo has superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors, plus better power efficiency for dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 90Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 0 nits | Oppo Find X3 Neo offers significantly better visibility under bright sunlight. Honor X8a brightness is not specified and might be problematic in outdoor scenarios |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+) | Mediatek Helio G88 (12 nm) | Oppo Find X3 Neo has significantly faster performance, better for demanding apps, gaming, and multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 743,500 | 253,700 | Oppo Find X3 Neo is much faster and more powerful. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Mali-G52 MC2 | Oppo Find X3 Neo provides superior graphics performance, better for gaming and GPU-intensive tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Rear Camera | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56", Sony IMX766 | 100MP, f/1.9 | Honor X8a boasts higher resolution, but Oppo Find X3 Neo has a larger sensor and wider aperture, likely better in low light; sensor model missing for Honor X8a. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.4, 1/2.74", Sony IMX615 | 16MP, f/2.45 | Oppo Find X3 Neo has higher resolution, and marginally wider aperture for potentially better low-light selfies; sensor model and pixel size missing for Honor X8a. |
| Telephoto Lens | 13MP, f/2.4, 1/3.4", Samsung S5K3M5 | None | Oppo Find X3 Neo allows for optical zoom, which is missing from Honor X8a. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 16MP, f/2.2 | 5MP, f/2.2 | Oppo Find X3 Neo captures more detailed wide-angle shots. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", GalaxyCore GC02M1 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Macro performance should be similar; sensor model and pixel size missing for Honor X8a. |
| Video Recording | 4K@60fps, HDR, EIS | 1080p@30fps | Oppo Find X3 Neo records higher quality video, offering more flexibility, HDR, and image stabilization. |
| DxOMark Score | Mobile: 106, Photo: 104, Video: 106 | Not Tested | Oppo Find X3 Neo's camera performance is significantly better as measured by DxOMark. |
| Camera Features | OIS, 4K Video, Optical zoom, Continuous autofocus, Night Mode | Triple camera | Oppo Find X3 Neo provides more advanced features and superior overall camera capabilities. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500 mAh | 4500 mAh | Both should offer similar battery life depending on usage. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 22.5W Fast Charging | Oppo Find X3 Neo charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Reverse charging, non-removable | non-removable | Oppo Find X3 Neo can charge other devices, a useful feature. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | Android 12 | Honor X8a has a slightly newer OS out-of-the-box, but both are likely to be supported by future updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Wi-Fi MiMO | 802.11ac | Oppo Find X3 Neo supports the latest Wi-Fi standards for faster and more stable connections, and offers MIMO support for better performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1, APT-x, LDAC, SBC, AAC | 5.1, EDR | Oppo Find X3 Neo has better audio codec support for higher quality wireless audio. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Oppo Find X3 Neo offers better accuracy due to more satellite support. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Both support dual SIM capability. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128 GB or 256 GB | 128 GB or 256 GB | Both provide options for 128 or 256 GB of storage. |
| RAM | 12 GB | 6 GB or 8 GB | Oppo Find X3 Neo has significantly more RAM for smoother multitasking and better performance for demanding applications. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports memory expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Basic audio features | Oppo Find X3 Neo offers higher-quality audio output with better immersion through its speakers. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Honor X8a offers a more convenient and potentially faster fingerprint scanner. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | Oppo Find X3 Neo's screen is better protected from scratches and damage. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass | Oppo Find X3 Neo has a gyroscope sensor, useful for advanced features and gaming. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Oppo Find X3 Neo Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 865 chipset provides much faster processing, better multitasking, and enhanced gaming capabilities, with an Antutu score almost three times higher than the Honor X8a.
- Superior Display: AMOLED technology with higher brightness offers significantly better contrast, deeper blacks, vibrant colors, and superior visibility, especially in sunlight.
- Superior Camera System: Includes optical zoom, better standard, selfie, wide-angle cameras, and 4K video recording capabilities with higher resolution and better dynamic range, along with OIS.
- Faster Charging: 65W charging significantly reduces charging time, a major convenience.
- Better Audio: Hi-Res Audio and stereo speakers offer a higher quality audio experience.
- More RAM: 12GB of RAM compared to 6 or 8GB on the Honor, which is better for heavy multitasking.
- Advanced Connectivity: Supports Wi-Fi 6 and more accurate GPS with QZSS support.
- Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 offers superior scratch and impact resistance.
- Reverse Charging: Can charge other devices, a very useful feature not found on the Honor X8a.
- Gyroscope: Additional gyroscope sensor for advanced motion sensing, useful in gaming and some apps.
Honor X8a Advantages:
- Newer Phone: Released almost a year and a half later, which might mean slightly longer software support.
- Slightly Lighter: Marginal difference in weight might be noticeable for some.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Might be preferred over the traditional scanner by some users.
- Higher Resolution Main Camera: 100MP vs 50MP, though the practical advantage will vary depending on the sensor size, pixel size and the processing software.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Performance vs. Price: The Oppo Find X3 Neo offers much better performance but at a higher price, making it an investment. The Honor X8a is a more budget-friendly option that involves major performance and features compromises.
- Display Quality vs. Newer OS: The Oppo Find X3 Neo offers a superior display while the Honor X8a has the newer Android version out of the box.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Oppo Find X3 Neo Ideal User:
- Power Users: Individuals who need smooth performance for multitasking, demanding apps, and gaming, and who want the best display and camera quality.
- Multimedia Enthusiasts: People who consume a lot of video and audio, will appreciate the AMOLED display and high-quality audio features
- Photographers: Those who prioritize camera quality and need good low-light performance, optical zoom, and 4K video capture.
- Users in Bright Environments: Those who need excellent screen visibility in bright sunlight, thanks to the AMOLED technology.
- Users who prefer a more powerful phone: Who don't mind spending a bit more to get excellent performance.
- Users with more external devices: The reverse charging feature is a valuable convenience.
Use Cases for Oppo Find X3 Neo:
- Gaming, streaming high-resolution content, and video editing.
- Taking high-quality photos and videos in various lighting conditions.
- Outdoor usage where screen visibility is crucial.
- Using navigation and other GPS-dependent applications requiring accuracy.
Honor X8a Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Those who prioritize affordability over top-tier performance and features.
- Casual Users: Individuals who primarily use their phones for social media, browsing, messaging, and casual photos.
- Users Seeking Lightweight Phones: Those who prefer a slightly lighter phone.
- Those Who Don't Need High Brightness: Users who are primarily using their devices in darker environments.
Use Cases for Honor X8a:
- Basic everyday use like social media, calls, texts, web browsing.
- Light gaming that doesn't require high graphical capabilities.
- Casual photography in good lighting conditions.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is performance? If high performance for gaming and demanding apps is a must, the Oppo Find X3 Neo is the clear winner.
- How important is display quality? If you prioritize vibrancy, contrast, and outdoor visibility, the AMOLED display of the Oppo Find X3 Neo is significantly better.
- What's your budget? The Honor X8a is more affordable, so if budget is the main concern, the trade-offs might be acceptable.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: High-Performance and Display Prioritized: If you value performance, camera quality, and screen quality above all else, and are willing to pay a premium, choose the Oppo Find X3 Neo.
- Scenario 2: Budget-Conscious Casual Use: If you're on a tight budget and need a phone for basic everyday tasks, with some good camera specs for normal use, the Honor X8a might suffice.
- Scenario 3: Balanced Performance and Affordability: Neither phone really fits here. The Honor is extremely weak in performance while the Oppo is fairly expensive. If you need a balance, look at different devices.
- Scenario 4: Photography Enthusiast: The Oppo Find X3 Neo will be the clear winner if photography is your priority, due to the superior sensors, lens variety and camera features.
My Choice
I would choose the Oppo Find X3 Neo. While it's an older phone, its performance is significantly better and it offers a better overall experience in crucial aspects. The superior AMOLED display, much faster chipset, better camera system with telephoto zoom and OIS, faster charging, and higher quality audio features make it the better device. The 12GB of RAM is also much better for multitasking compared to the 6 or 8 GB on the Honor. While the Honor X8a is a newer device with a newer OS and fingerprint sensor, the compromises in processing speed, display quality and camera capabilities make it too difficult to recommend over the Oppo, unless budget is a significant constraint. The much faster performance and the significantly better display alone would make it a much better experience. The added benefits such as faster charging, better audio and reverse charging are a welcome addition.
