The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S and Honor 10X Lite represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. Both aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, but they take different approaches. The Redmi Note 9S leverages Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 720G, while the Honor 10X Lite relies on Huawei’s Kirin 710A. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 720G chipset provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Kirin 710A, translating to smoother multitasking and gaming. While the Honor 10X Lite offers respectable battery life, the Redmi Note 9S’s brighter display and more efficient processor make it the overall winner.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, October 29. Released 2020, October 29 | 2020, March 23. Released 2020, April 30 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 165.7 x 76.9 x 9.3 mm (6.52 x 3.03 x 0.37 in) | 165.8 x 76.7 x 8.8 mm (6.53 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 206 g (7.27 oz) | 209 g (7.37 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, HDR10, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver) |
| Chipset | Kirin 710A (14 nm) | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 | Adreno 618 |
| OS | Android 10, Magic UI 3.1, no Google Play Services | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, MIUI 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro), AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/120fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio, built-in antenna | FM radio, recording |
| 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 Direct | 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, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 22.5W wired, 46% in 30 min | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5020 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Icelandic Frost, Midnight Black, Emerald Green | Aurora Blue, Glacier White, Interstellar Gray |
| Models | DNN-LX9 | M2003J6A1G |
| Price | About 230 EUR | About 110 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.96 W/kg (head) 0.40 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.72 W/kg (head) 0.98 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | Endurance rating 114h | Endurance rating 127h |
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1260:1 (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: 1389:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-29.4 LUFS (Average) |
-27.8 LUFS (Good) |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 172910 (v8)
GeekBench: 1346 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 7fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 254000 (v8)
GeekBench: 1785 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 15fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Honor 10X Lite
- Longer battery endurance (114h)
- Faster wired charging (22.5W)
- Potentially lower price point
- Less powerful Kirin 710A chipset
- Dimmer display (426 nits)
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S
- More powerful Snapdragon 720G chipset
- Brighter display (575 nits)
- Better thermal efficiency
- Slower wired charging (18W)
- Slightly shorter battery endurance (127h)
Display Comparison
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching 575 nits compared to the Honor 10X Lite’s 426 nits. This makes the Redmi Note 9S much more usable outdoors under direct sunlight. Both displays feature a nominal contrast ratio around 1389:1 and 1260:1 respectively, indicating good black levels, but the Redmi Note 9S’s higher brightness provides a more visually engaging experience. While neither phone utilizes advanced panel technology like LTPO, the Redmi Note 9S’s superior brightness is a clear advantage.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer a 'Photo / Video' camera experience, but the specifics are not detailed enough to make a definitive judgment. However, given the chipset advantage of the Redmi Note 9S, its image signal processor (ISP) is likely more capable, resulting in better image processing and potentially superior low-light performance. Without detailed sensor information, it’s difficult to assess the quality of the main cameras, but the Redmi Note 9S’s more powerful chipset suggests a more refined camera experience. We can assume both phones include standard features like HDR and portrait modes.
Performance
The core difference between these two phones lies in their chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G, built on an 8nm process, offers a substantial performance leap over the Honor 10X Lite’s Kirin 710A (14nm). The Snapdragon 720G’s Kryo 465 Gold cores, clocked at 2.3 GHz, outperform the Kirin 710A’s Cortex-A73 cores at 2.0 GHz in both single-core and multi-core tasks. The 8nm fabrication process also contributes to better thermal efficiency, meaning the Redmi Note 9S is less likely to throttle under sustained load. This translates to smoother gaming and faster app loading times.
Battery Life
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S offers an endurance rating of 127 hours, slightly exceeding the Honor 10X Lite’s 114 hours. While the Honor 10X Lite’s battery life is still respectable, the Redmi Note 9S’s more efficient Snapdragon 720G chipset contributes to its longer runtime. The Redmi Note 9S charges at 18W, slower than the Honor 10X Lite’s 22.5W, but the difference in charging speed is offset by the Redmi Note 9S’s overall better battery efficiency. The Honor 10X Lite can reach 46% charge in 30 minutes, while the Redmi Note 9S’s charging time is not specified, but likely takes longer.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor 10X Lite if your primary need is extended battery life and you prioritize a slightly more affordable price point. It’s a good option for users who primarily browse the web, use social media, and make occasional calls. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S if you value performance, a brighter and more vibrant display, and a more capable camera system. This phone is ideal for gamers, content creators, and anyone who demands a responsive and versatile smartphone experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Kirin 710A in the Honor 10X Lite struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Kirin 710A is a less powerful chipset compared to the Snapdragon 720G. While it can run PUBG Mobile, you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a smooth frame rate. Expect occasional stuttering and longer loading times compared to the Redmi Note 9S.
❓ How significant is the difference in display brightness between the two phones in real-world use?
The 149-nit difference in peak brightness is quite noticeable. The Redmi Note 9S’s display will be significantly easier to see outdoors, especially on sunny days. The Honor 10X Lite’s display may appear washed out in bright environments.
❓ Is the 22.5W charging on the Honor 10X Lite a major advantage over the Redmi Note 9S’s 18W charging?
While 22.5W is faster on paper, the Redmi Note 9S’s more efficient chipset means it consumes less power overall. The difference in charging time is likely minimal in practical use, and the Redmi Note 9S’s longer battery life offsets the slower charging speed.
