Honor's budget lineup presents a compelling choice for value-conscious consumers. The Honor 400 Smart 4G prioritizes exceptional battery life and a proven chipset, while the Honor X9a steps up with 5G connectivity and a slightly more modern processor. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing longevity and reliable performance, the Honor 400 Smart 4G emerges as the winner. Its remarkable 69:32h battery endurance and efficient Snapdragon 685 chipset offer a worry-free experience. However, users needing 5G connectivity will find the X9a a worthwhile upgrade.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | LTE |
| 5G bands | - | SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, September 12 | 2023, January 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, September 30 | Available. Released 2023, January 06 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 166.9 x 76.8 x 8.2 mm (6.57 x 3.02 x 0.32 in) | 161.6 x 73.9 x 7.9 mm (6.36 x 2.91 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 208 g (7.34 oz) | 175 g (6.17 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Mohs level 4 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1610 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~261 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.77 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~89.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD, 120Hz, 850 nits (HBM) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 685 (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 15, Magic OS 9 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, MagicOS 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | 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, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 35W wired
5W reverse wired | 40W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 6500 mAh | Li-Po 5100 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Desert Gold, Velvet Black | Titanium Silver, Emerald Green, Midnight Black |
| Models | LGN-NX1 | RMO-NX1 |
| Price | About 300 EUR | $ 212.08 |
| EU LABEL |
|---|
| Battery | 69:32h endurance, 1600 cycles | - |
| Energy | Class A | - |
| Free fall | Class A (270 falls) | - |
| Repairability | Class B | - |
Honor 400 Smart 4G
- Exceptional battery life (69:32h endurance)
- Long battery lifespan (1600 cycles)
- Efficient Snapdragon 685 chipset
- Lacks 5G connectivity
- Older processor architecture
Honor X9a
- 5G connectivity for faster data speeds
- More modern Snapdragon 695 chipset
- Faster 40W wired charging
- Shorter battery life compared to 400 Smart
- Potentially more thermal throttling under load
Display Comparison
Neither device's display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the price points, both likely utilize LCD panels. The X9a, being a slightly newer model, *may* benefit from improved color calibration or viewing angles. The absence of high refresh rate information suggests both are likely capped at 60Hz, prioritizing battery life over visual fluidity.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a precise comparison is difficult. Both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup, but the quality will heavily depend on sensor size and image processing. It's reasonable to assume the X9a, as the slightly more premium device, may have a larger main sensor, resulting in better low-light performance. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is likely a marketing feature with limited practical benefit, as image quality will be significantly lower than the main sensor.
Performance
The Honor X9a's Snapdragon 695 5G represents a step up from the 400 Smart's Snapdragon 685. The 695 utilizes Kryo 660 cores (2x Gold, 6x Silver) compared to the 685's Cortex-A73 and A53 configuration. While both are 6nm chips, the 695's architecture offers improved multi-core performance, translating to snappier app loading and smoother multitasking. However, the 400 Smart's Cortex-A73 cores, while older, still provide a respectable level of single-core performance for everyday tasks. The X9a's 5G modem adds a layer of future-proofing, but also introduces potential thermal considerations under sustained load.
Battery Life
The Honor 400 Smart 4G truly shines in battery endurance, boasting an impressive 69:32h rating and a 1600 cycle lifespan. This suggests it can withstand years of daily charging without significant degradation. The X9a, while likely having a respectable battery capacity, doesn't have the same endurance figures. The 400 Smart's 35W wired charging is competitive, while the X9a's 40W charging offers a slightly faster top-up. The 400 Smart also includes 5W reverse wired charging, a useful feature for topping up accessories.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor 400 Smart 4G if you need a phone that will comfortably last through two full days of moderate use, and 5G isn't a priority. It's ideal for users who primarily browse, message, and consume media. Buy the Honor X9a if you frequently travel or live in an area with robust 5G coverage, and you want faster download speeds and a more future-proofed device, accepting a trade-off in battery endurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 695 in the X9a struggle with demanding games like PUBG or Genshin Impact?
The Snapdragon 695 is capable of running PUBG at medium settings, but demanding titles like Genshin Impact may require significant graphical compromises. Sustained gaming could also lead to thermal throttling, impacting performance over longer sessions. The 685 in the 400 Smart will perform similarly, but the X9a has a slight edge due to its newer architecture.
❓ How much faster are downloads on the Honor X9a's 5G compared to 4G on the Honor 400 Smart?
5G speeds can be significantly faster than 4G, potentially offering download speeds 10-100x faster depending on network conditions and carrier support. However, the actual speed benefit will vary based on your location and 5G network availability. If you live in an area with limited 5G coverage, the X9a's 5G capability won't be fully utilized.
❓ Is the 1600 charge cycle rating on the Honor 400 Smart a significant advantage?
Yes, a 1600 charge cycle rating indicates the battery is designed to retain a substantial portion of its capacity even after years of regular use. Most smartphones typically offer around 500-800 cycles before noticeable degradation. This extended lifespan makes the 400 Smart a more durable long-term investment.
