The Honor 8A Prime and Xiaomi Redmi 9C NFC represent the fiercely competitive sub-$150 smartphone market. Both devices leverage MediaTek's Helio series of chipsets, but a crucial addition – NFC – and a slight chipset revision in the Redmi 9C NFC create a meaningful divergence. This comparison dissects the nuances to determine which phone delivers the best value for budget-conscious consumers.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Redmi 9C NFC is the better choice. While performance is nearly identical, the inclusion of NFC for contactless payments and data transfer adds significant utility. The 10W charging, while slow, is a standard feature in this price bracket and doesn't negate the NFC advantage.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, March 30. Released 2020, March 30 | 2020, August 27. Released 2020, August 27 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 156.3 x 73.5 x 8.2 mm (6.15 x 2.89 x 0.32 in) | 164.9 x 77.1 x 9 mm (6.49 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 150 g (5.29 oz) | 196 g (6.91 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.09 inches, 91.0 cm2 (~79.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~81.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9 | Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1.0µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro) |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/1.8, PDAF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 3020 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Green | Midnight Gray, Sunshine Yellow, Twilight Blue |
| Models | JAT-LX1 | M2006C3MNG |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 100 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.57 W/kg (head) 0.90 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.37 W/kg (head) 1.14 W/kg (body) |
Honor 8A Prime
- Potentially cleaner software experience (region dependent)
- Similar processing power to Redmi 9C NFC
- Likely competitive price point
- Lacks NFC functionality
- Charging speed unspecified, likely slow
- Camera performance likely average
Xiaomi Redmi 9C NFC
- Includes NFC for contactless payments and data transfer
- Slightly optimized GPU (Helio G35)
- 10W charging included
- MIUI software can be heavily customized
- Similar processing power to Honor 8A Prime
- Camera performance likely average
Display Comparison
Neither Honor nor Xiaomi provide detailed display specifications beyond resolution. Both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, common in this price range. Without brightness (nit) data, it's difficult to assess outdoor visibility. The absence of high refresh rates or advanced panel technologies like LTPO is expected. Bezels are likely comparable, prioritizing cost reduction over premium aesthetics. Color accuracy will likely be standard for the segment, leaning towards saturated colors for a more vibrant, though less accurate, visual experience.
Camera Comparison
Camera specifications are not detailed enough to draw strong conclusions. Both phones likely feature a primary camera alongside depth and macro sensors. However, the quality of the image sensor and image processing algorithms are far more important than megapixel count. Without sensor size or aperture information, it's difficult to assess low-light performance. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing gimmick, offering limited practical benefit due to the low resolution and fixed focus. Image processing will likely differ between the two, with Xiaomi's MIUI often applying more aggressive sharpening and color boosting.
Performance
Both the Honor 8A Prime and Xiaomi Redmi 9C NFC are powered by MediaTek Helio P35 (MT6765) and Helio G35 (MT6765G) respectively, both built on a 12nm process. The CPU configuration is identical: an octa-core setup with 4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 cores and 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. The 'G' in Helio G35 signifies a slight GPU optimization, but in real-world usage, the performance difference will be minimal for everyday tasks. Both phones will handle basic social media, web browsing, and light multitasking adequately. Gaming will be limited to less demanding titles at lower settings. RAM configurations are crucial, but not specified in the provided data; more RAM will benefit multitasking on both devices.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not provided for either device. However, given the budget nature of these phones, capacities are likely in the 4000-5000 mAh range. The Redmi 9C NFC includes 10W wired charging, while the Honor 8A Prime's charging speed is unspecified but likely similar. 10W charging is slow by modern standards, requiring several hours for a full charge. Battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns, but both phones should comfortably last a full day with moderate use. The slightly optimized Helio G35 in the Redmi 9C NFC *might* offer marginally better power efficiency, but the difference will be negligible.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor 8A Prime if you prioritize a slightly cleaner software experience (depending on region and ROM) and are absolutely certain you won't utilize NFC functionality. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 9C NFC if you value the convenience of NFC for mobile payments, quick pairing with accessories, and data transfer, even if it means accepting a slightly more customized MIUI software experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the NFC on the Redmi 9C NFC compatible with Google Pay?
Yes, the Redmi 9C NFC supports NFC for contactless payments, and is generally compatible with Google Pay and other NFC-based payment services, provided your region and bank support it. You'll need to add your cards to the Google Pay app to use this feature.
❓ Will the Helio G35 in the Redmi 9C NFC noticeably improve gaming performance compared to the Helio P35?
While the Helio G35 offers a slight GPU optimization over the Helio P35, the difference in gaming performance will be minimal. Both phones are best suited for less demanding games at lower settings. Expect playable frame rates in titles like PUBG Mobile at reduced graphics settings, but don't expect a flagship gaming experience.
❓ Can I use the Redmi 9C NFC for contactless public transport?
Compatibility with public transport systems depends on your region and the specific system. Some public transport networks support NFC-based ticketing, while others do not. Check with your local transport authority to confirm compatibility.
❓ How long does it take to fully charge the Redmi 9C NFC with the 10W charger?
With the included 10W charger, the Redmi 9C NFC will likely take between 3 to 4 hours to fully charge from 0% to 100%, depending on battery capacity and usage during charging. It's a relatively slow charging speed compared to modern fast-charging technologies.
