Both the Honor 9C and Huawei P smart 2021 occupy a similar space in the budget smartphone market, aiming to deliver essential features at an accessible price point. However, despite sharing the same Kirin 710A chipset, subtle differences in CPU clock speed, display characteristics, and battery endurance create distinct user experiences. This comparison will dissect these nuances to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and slightly faster charging, the Huawei P smart 2021 emerges as the better choice. While both phones share the Kirin 710A, the P smart 2021’s marginally higher CPU clock speed and proven 119-hour endurance rating provide a slight edge in everyday usability.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, April 29. Released 2020, May 04 | 2020, September 28. Released 2020, September 28 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 159.8 x 76.1 x 8.1 mm (6.29 x 3.00 x 0.32 in) | 165.7 x 76.9 x 9.3 mm (6.52 x 3.03 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 176 g (6.21 oz) | 206 g (7.27 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.39 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~82.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Kirin 710A (14 nm) | Kirin 710A (14 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 | Mali-G51 MP4 |
| OS | Android 10, EMUI 10.1, no Google Play Services | Android 10, EMUI 10.1, no Google Play Services |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| 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 |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, 120˚ (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio, built-in antenna |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 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, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 22.5W wired, 46% in 30 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Crush Green, Blush Gold, Midnight Black |
| Models | AKA-L29 | PPA-LX1, PPA-LX2 |
| Price | About 160 EUR | About 230 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 119h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1252:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-28.8 LUFS (Average) |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 169253 (v8)
GeekBench: 1334 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 7fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Honor 9C
- Potentially lower price point
- Slightly higher CPU clock speed (2.2 GHz)
- Honor's user interface (preference-based)
- No published battery life data
- Unknown charging speed
- Limited display specifications
Huawei P smart 2021
- Excellent 119-hour endurance rating
- Fast 22.5W charging (46% in 30 min)
- Measured display brightness (442 nits)
- Slightly lower CPU clock speed (2.0 GHz)
- Potentially higher price point
- Basic camera specifications
Display Comparison
Both devices lack detailed display specifications beyond the Huawei P smart 2021’s measured 442 nits of peak brightness and 1252:1 contrast ratio. This suggests the P smart 2021 offers a more visually engaging experience, particularly outdoors, compared to the Honor 9C, which lacks published brightness data. The identical contrast ratio indicates similar panel technology, likely IPS LCD, but the measured brightness gives the P smart 2021 a clear advantage for visibility in bright conditions. Bezels are assumed to be comparable given the similar market positioning.
Camera Comparison
Both the Honor 9C and Huawei P smart 2021 are listed with 'Photo / Video' capabilities, lacking specific details. This suggests a similar camera setup focused on basic photography. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to assess image quality differences. It’s reasonable to assume both phones include a primary camera and potentially depth or macro sensors, but the lack of detail prevents a meaningful comparison. The image processing algorithms employed by Huawei and Honor may differ, potentially leading to variations in color accuracy and dynamic range.
Performance
The core of both phones is the Kirin 710A (14 nm) chipset, but a key difference lies in the CPU clock speed. The Honor 9C features a 2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 core, while the Huawei P smart 2021 clocks in at 2.0 GHz. While seemingly minor, this 0.2 GHz difference can translate to slightly snappier application loading and multitasking on the Honor 9C. However, the impact is likely minimal for typical usage. Both utilize the same 1.7 GHz Cortex-A53 cores for efficiency. The absence of RAM specifications necessitates assuming similar configurations, meaning thermal throttling potential will be comparable under sustained load.
Battery Life
The Huawei P smart 2021 boasts an impressive endurance rating of 119 hours, indicating excellent battery life. This is a significant advantage over the Honor 9C, for which battery life data is unavailable. Furthermore, the P smart 2021 supports 22.5W wired charging, achieving 46% charge in 30 minutes – a substantial benefit for users who need a quick power boost. The Honor 9C’s charging speed is unknown, but likely slower, making the P smart 2021 the clear winner for users prioritizing battery longevity and rapid recharging.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor 9C if you prioritize a potentially lower price point and are comfortable with a slightly less refined user experience. It’s a solid option for basic smartphone tasks. Buy the Huawei P smart 2021 if you value a longer-lasting battery, faster charging speeds, and a display with measured brightness and contrast, making it ideal for media consumption and users who are frequently away from a power source.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Kirin 710A struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile on these devices?
The Kirin 710A is a capable chipset for casual gaming, but demanding titles like PUBG Mobile will likely require reduced graphics settings to maintain a stable frame rate on both the Honor 9C and Huawei P smart 2021. Expect medium settings to be the sweet spot for a playable experience.
❓ Is the lack of detailed camera specifications a major drawback for photography enthusiasts?
Yes, the absence of sensor size, aperture, and image processing details suggests both phones are geared towards casual photography. Don't expect flagship-level image quality or advanced features. These phones are best suited for quick snapshots in good lighting conditions.
❓ How does Huawei's EMUI (or Honor's Magic UI) affect the user experience on these phones?
Both phones run a customized version of Android. Huawei uses EMUI, while Honor uses Magic UI, which is based on EMUI. Expect a similar interface with pre-installed apps and a focus on customization options. User preference will dictate which UI is preferred.
❓ What type of charging port do these phones use?
Both the Honor 9C and Huawei P smart 2021 utilize a USB-C port for charging and data transfer, offering compatibility with a wide range of accessories.
