The Ultimate Budget Battle: HONOR X7a vs. Galaxy A33 LTE

Mondo Admin / 16-11-2023 / Tech

If you're on the hunt for an affordable smartphone that doesn't skimp on advanced features, you're in the right place, because we’ve got two of them for consideration. To help you make the best choice, we're pitting the HONOR X7a against the Samsung Galaxy A33 LTE.

Let’s get this ultimate budget battle started.

Dissecting the displays

Let’s kick off this showdown by dissecting the displays, because they’re your windows into your digital life. First up is the big 6.74-inch IPS screen on the HO X7a. It has everything you need for an immersive viewing experience, from an HD+ resolution of 1600×720 to a snappy 90Hz refresh rate for buttery-smooth scrolling. You can even lower the refresh rate to 60Hz to save precious battery life. Plus, it doesn’t blackout under direct sunlight, and that’s a win for a phone in this price range. A standout feature is its rather elite TÜV Rheinland low blue light certification, which keeps your eyes comfy when viewing content.

Going head-to-head with Samsung’s displays is always a herculean task. The tech giant is consistently the top dog in this category, so it's no surprise that the Galaxy A33 LTE steps up with a slightly superior screen – an AMOLED Full HD+ display, to be precise. The colours are crisp, bright and boast high contrast ratios. Just like the HONOR, it features a 90Hz refresh rate and tackles the sunny outdoors without breaking a sweat. If you fancy a smaller screen, the Samsung Galaxy A33 LTE might be the better option because it opts for a more compact 6.4 inch display.

The camera showdown

Both the Samsung Galaxy A33 LTE and HONOR X7a have your back when it comes to awesome cameras.

Both devices feature quad rear cameras headlined by Instagram-worthy main cameras – 48MP (F1.8) on the Samsung and 50MP (F1.8) on the HONOR. Alongside these are excellent ultra-wide, macro and depth cameras for those moments when you need to capture the finer, more artistic side of life. In the daylight, your photos will burst with natural colours and an impressive dynamic range. While neither the Samsung Galaxy A33 LTE nor the HONOR X7a claim the title for best night performers (as expected in this price range), they do capture satisfactory night-time shots.

The HONOR X7a shines with its standout autofocus and face detection features, ensuring your photos always look sharp. And on the Samsung Galaxy A33 LTE, you're treated to the magic of OIS (optical image stabilisation) for effortlessly smooth photos and videos. As a bonus, Samsung throws in Fun Mode, which allows you to snap shots with new built-in Snapchat filters.

Performance and the space race 

If your idea of a perfect phone is one that tackles everyday tasks like a pro, then both the HONOR X7a and Samsung Galaxy A33 LTE are good options. They quickly launch apps, facilitate smooth multitasking and deliver hours of uninterrupted streaming. Both sport entry-level chipsets, but the main difference is that the Samsung supports 5G while the HONOR X7a is in the 4G-only zone.

In the space race, the HONOR X7a packs 4GB RAM and 128GB internal storage, while the Galaxy A33 LTE flexes with 6GB RAM and an equally roomy 128GB storage. Need even more room for photoshoots? You’re sorted, because both phones come equipped with a microSD card slot to skyrocket your storage game up to a tantalising 1TB.

Beefy batteries

The HONOR X7a launched with a big, beefy 6000mAh battery. It’s so efficient in power consumption that it can last up to 3.5 days on a single charge, as certified by Dxomark, a leader in scientific technological benchmark studies. And when you're in a race against time and need a quick juice-up, the Honor X7a comes to the rescue with its 22.5W fast charging. A 10-minute charge will treat you to a solid 3 hours of uninterrupted video playback. Now that's charging at the speed of entertainment.

After that impressive battery showcase, let's shift the spotlight to the Samsung Galaxy A33 LTE. It might be a bit overshadowed by the HONOR, but don't let that fool you—this device has some exceptional capabilities. Under the hood, it packs a substantial 5000mAh battery and boasts even faster charging speeds of up to 25W. Now, when it comes to battery life compared to the HONOR X7a, it doesn't quite steal the show, but it holds its ground, easily reaching a respectable 2 full days on a single charge. Even the most avid smartphone users will find it a challenge to drain this battery in a day.

Verdict: And the winner is…

There's a lot to love about these budget smartphones, but the burning question remains – which one claims the top spot? It's an incredibly close call, yet we're proudly declaring the HONOR X7a as the ultimate victor! While both devices share many similarities, the HONOR's phenomenal long-lasting battery propels it miles ahead of the competition. And to sweeten the deal, it's not only bigger but also a tad more budget-friendly than the Galaxy A33 LTE.

That being said, the Honor is not for everyone simply because it lacks 5G, an OIS main camera, and the superior AMOLED screen. If this is a deal-breaker, then the money-savvy Samsung is undoubtedly the better choice!

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