Six Snapdragon 778G Phones: Specs Compared

This article compares the specifications of six smartphones powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G processor, helping you decide which one fits your needs and budget. You’ll see a side-by-side breakdown of display, battery, camera, and other key specs, followed by guidance on how to interpret them and what to look for when buying. By the end, you’ll know exactly which of these six devices deserves your money.

Why the Snapdragon 778G Still Matters in 2024

The Snapdragon 778G, announced in May 2021, is a mid-range chipset built on a 6nm process. It features an octa-core CPU (1x Cortex-A78 at 2.4 GHz, 3x Cortex-A78 at 2.2 GHz, 4x Cortex-A55 at 1.9 GHz) and an Adreno 642L GPU. While not a flagship, it delivers smooth performance for daily tasks, decent gaming at medium settings, and efficient power consumption. Many phones from 2021-2022 use this chip, and they remain viable budget options in 2024, especially when purchased refurbished or at a discount. Understanding the specs of these phones helps you choose the one with the best battery, camera, or display for your particular priorities.

The Six Contenders: A Spec Overview

Here are six popular Snapdragon 778G phones, with their key specifications laid out for direct comparison. Note that some models have regional variants with different specs; the values below represent the most common global configurations.

Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE – 6.55″ AMOLED, 90Hz, Snapdragon 778G, 4250 mAh battery, 64MP main camera, 20MP front camera, 33W charging.
Motorola Edge 20 – 6.7″ OLED, 144Hz, Snapdragon 778G, 3760 mAh battery, 108MP main camera, 32MP front camera, 30W charging.
Honor 50 – 6.57″ OLED, 120Hz, Snapdragon 778G, 4300 mAh battery, 108MP main camera, 32MP front camera, 66W charging.
Realme 9 Pro+ – 6.4″ AMOLED, 90Hz, Snapdragon 778G, 4500 mAh battery, 50MP main camera (Sony IMX766), 16MP front camera, 60W charging.
Poco X4 Pro 5G – 6.67″ AMOLED, 120Hz, Snapdragon 778G, 5000 mAh battery, 108MP main camera, 16MP front camera, 67W charging.
ZTE Axon 30 – 6.92″ AMOLED, 120Hz, Snapdragon 778G, 4200 mAh battery, 64MP main camera, 16MP under-display front camera, 55W charging.

Display and Refresh Rate: What to Look For

All six phones use OLED panels, which offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. The refresh rate determines how smooth scrolling and animations appear. A 120Hz panel (Honor 50, Poco X4 Pro, ZTE Axon 30) feels noticeably smoother than a 90Hz one (Xiaomi 11 Lite NE, Realme 9 Pro+) when swiping through social media. The Motorola Edge 20’s 144Hz is even smoother, but the difference from 120Hz is less obvious to most users. If you watch a lot of video, a higher refresh rate also helps with 24fps content if the phone supports adaptive refresh rate. The ZTE Axon 30 has a unique under-display camera, giving you a truly bezel-less look, but the camera quality is often lower than traditional punch-hole cameras. For most people, a 120Hz AMOLED with a punch-hole camera is the sweet spot.

Battery Life and Charging Speed

Battery capacity directly affects how long the phone lasts on a single charge. The Poco X4 Pro leads with a 5000 mAh battery, easily lasting a full day of heavy use. The Realme 9 Pro+ (4500 mAh) and Xiaomi 11 Lite NE (4250 mAh) are also solid, but the Motorola Edge 20’s 3760 mAh is the weakest, and you may need a top-up by evening. Charging speed matters if you’re often in a hurry. The Honor 50’s 66W and Poco X4 Pro’s 67W can charge from 0 to 100% in about 40 minutes. The Realme 9 Pro+’s 60W is similar. The Xiaomi 11 Lite NE (33W) and Motorola Edge 20 (30W) take about an hour. None of these phones support wireless charging, so factor that in if you rely on charging pads.

Camera Systems: Megapixels Aren’t Everything

While the Motorola Edge 20, Honor 50, and Poco X4 Pro boast 108MP main sensors, the Realme 9 Pro+ uses a 50MP Sony IMX766, which is known for excellent low-light performance and fast autofocus. In practice, the Realme 9 Pro+ often takes better photos in dim conditions than the 108MP phones, because it uses pixel-binning to produce a brighter 12.5MP image. The Xiaomi 11 Lite NE and ZTE Axon 30 have 64MP sensors, which are decent but not outstanding. For selfies, the Honor 50’s 32MP camera is the highest resolution, but the ZTE Axon 30’s under-display camera is the weakest, with a noticeable softness. If photography is your priority, the Realme 9 Pro+ offers the best overall camera experience, followed by the Honor 50.

Software, Updates, and Build Quality

Software support varies significantly. Xiaomi, Realme, and Poco promise about two years of major Android updates and three years of security patches. Honor 50, due to its split from Huawei, initially launched with Android 11 and has received updates to Android 13, but its update policy is less predictable. Motorola has been improving, but the Edge 20 may only get one major update (it launched with Android 11, and some units got Android 12). ZTE is the weakest in this regard, with limited update commitments. Build quality: the Xiaomi 11 Lite NE is the thinnest and lightest at 6.81mm and 158g, making it very comfortable to hold. The Motorola Edge 20 is also slim. The Poco X4 Pro is the heaviest at 205g, but it feels durable. All have plastic frames, but the Xiaomi and Motorola have glass backs, while the Poco and Realme use plastic backs.

How to Choose the Right One for You

Start by defining your priorities:

Battery life: Choose the Poco X4 Pro (5000 mAh) or Realme 9 Pro+ (4500 mAh).
Charging speed: Honor 50 or Poco X4 Pro (66W/67W).
Camera quality: Realme 9 Pro+ (Sony IMX766) or Honor 50 (108MP with good processing).
Display smoothness: Motorola Edge 20 (144Hz) or any 120Hz model.
Lightweight design: Xiaomi 11 Lite NE (158g).
Unique look: ZTE Axon 30 (under-display camera).

If you’re buying new, the Poco X4 Pro and Realme 9 Pro+ offer the best value for money. If you’re buying used, the Xiaomi 11 Lite NE and Motorola Edge 20 are often cheaper, but be aware of their smaller batteries and slower charging. Avoid the ZTE Axon 30 unless you really want the under-display camera, as its software support is poor.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

A common misconception is that a higher megapixel count means a better camera. As noted, the 50MP Realme 9 Pro+ can outperform the 108MP sensors in low light. Another issue: the Snapdragon 778G is not a gaming chip. While it can handle games like PUBG Mobile at 60fps on medium settings, it will struggle with heavy titles like Genshin Impact on high settings. Don’t expect flagship-level performance. Also, some users report that the Motorola Edge 20’s battery drains quickly due to the 144Hz display; you can set it to 60Hz to improve battery life. Finally, the Honor 50 does not have Google Play Services in some regions (it was later added), so if you’re buying one, ensure it’s the global version with Google apps pre-installed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Snapdragon 778G still good in 2024?

Yes, for everyday tasks like social media, browsing, and streaming, it’s more than adequate. It handles light gaming well, but for heavy gaming, you’d want a newer chip like the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 or a flagship. The 778G is also power-efficient, so battery life is generally good.

Which of these six phones has the best battery life?

The Poco X4 Pro with its 5000 mAh battery will last the longest on a single charge. The Realme 9 Pro+ is a close second. The Motorola Edge 20 has the shortest battery life due to its smaller 3760 mAh cell and high refresh rate display.

Can I play games on these phones?

Yes, but with limitations. Games like Call of Duty Mobile run well at medium settings. More demanding games like Genshin Impact will run at lower frame rates and may heat up the phone. For serious gaming, consider a phone with a Snapdragon 8-series chip.

Do any of these phones have a headphone jack?

No, none of the six phones have a 3.5mm headphone jack. You’ll need to use USB-C headphones or Bluetooth earbuds. The Poco X4 Pro and Realme 9 Pro+ do have stereo speakers, which are decent for media consumption.

Which phone has the best camera for low-light photography?

The Realme 9 Pro+ is the clear winner due to its Sony IMX766 sensor with large 1.0µm pixels and OIS (optical image stabilization). It captures more light and produces sharper, cleaner night shots compared to the others.

Are these phones worth buying in 2024?

If you can find them at a good price (new or used), yes. They offer solid performance, good displays, and decent cameras for far less than flagship phones. However, if you want longer software support and better gaming performance, consider a newer mid-range phone with a Snapdragon 7-series chip from 2023 or 2024.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.

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