The Honor 9C and Nokia 5.4 represent compelling options in the sub-$200 smartphone market. While both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price, they take distinctly different approaches to core components, particularly in their chipsets. This comparison dissects the Kirin 710A-powered Honor 9C against the Snapdragon 662-equipped Nokia 5.4, focusing on performance, efficiency, and real-world usability.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and a more modern manufacturing process, the Nokia 5.4 emerges as the better choice. The Snapdragon 662’s 11nm process offers improved efficiency over the Honor 9C’s 14nm Kirin 710A, translating to better thermal management and potentially longer battery life during demanding tasks.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - International |
| 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 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 28, 66 - NA, LATAM |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, April 29. Released 2020, May 04 | 2020, December 15. Released 2020, December 25 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 159.8 x 76.1 x 8.1 mm (6.29 x 3.00 x 0.32 in) | 161 x 76 x 8.7 mm (6.34 x 2.99 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 176 g (6.21 oz) | 181 g (6.38 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.39 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~82.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.39 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~81.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Kirin 710A (14 nm) | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 10, EMUI 10.1, no Google Play Services | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, 13mm (ultrawide)
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@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 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 | 4.2, A2DP, aptX Adaptive |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| 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 |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Polar Night, Dusk |
| Models | AKA-L29 | TA-1333, TA-1340, TA-1337, TA-1328, TA-1325 |
| Price | About 160 EUR | About 90 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.68 W/kg (head) 1.02 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.99 W/kg (head) 0.96 W/kg (body) |
Honor 9C
- Potentially lower initial purchase price.
- May offer slightly larger battery capacity (speculative).
- Honor's UI may appeal to some users.
- Less efficient Kirin 710A chipset.
- Older 14nm manufacturing process.
- Likely inferior image processing capabilities.
Nokia 5.4
- More efficient Snapdragon 662 chipset.
- Modern 11nm manufacturing process.
- Superior ISP for better image quality.
- Slightly higher initial purchase price.
- Slow 10W charging.
- Nokia's software update policy can be inconsistent.
Display Comparison
Neither Honor nor Nokia provide display specifications beyond resolution in their marketing materials. However, given the price point, both likely utilize LCD panels. The key difference lies under the hood. The Snapdragon 662’s ISP supports more advanced display features, potentially allowing Nokia to implement better color calibration and viewing angles. The Honor 9C, relying on the older Kirin 710A, may exhibit less accurate color reproduction and narrower viewing angles. Bezels are likely comparable, reflecting the budget nature of both devices.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed sensor information, a direct camera comparison is difficult. However, the Snapdragon 662’s image signal processor (ISP) is significantly more advanced than the Kirin 710A’s. This translates to better image processing capabilities, including improved noise reduction, dynamic range, and color accuracy. While both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup, the Nokia 5.4 will likely produce more consistently pleasing images, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The Honor 9C may rely more heavily on software processing to compensate for the limitations of its ISP.
Performance
The core of the difference lies in the chipsets. The Nokia 5.4’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11nm) boasts a more modern fabrication process than the Honor 9C’s Kirin 710A (14nm). While both are octa-core CPUs, the Snapdragon 662 utilizes Kryo 260 Gold and Silver cores clocked at 2.0 GHz and 1.8 GHz respectively, while the Kirin 710A features Cortex-A73 cores at 2.2 GHz and Cortex-A53 cores at 1.7 GHz. The 11nm process of the Snapdragon 662 translates to better power efficiency and reduced heat generation, crucial for sustained performance. The Kirin 710A, while having slightly higher clocked cores, will likely throttle more aggressively under load. This means the Nokia 5.4 will maintain higher clock speeds for longer periods during gaming or video editing.
Battery Life
The Nokia 5.4 includes 10W wired charging, a relatively slow standard. The Honor 9C’s charging speed is not specified, but is likely similar. The Snapdragon 662’s superior power efficiency is the key factor here. While the Honor 9C might have a slightly larger battery capacity (speculation based on typical battery sizes in this segment), the Nokia 5.4 will likely achieve comparable or even better battery life due to the more efficient chipset. The 11nm process reduces power consumption during both active use and standby, extending overall runtime.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor 9C if you prioritize a potentially lower initial cost and are primarily focused on basic smartphone tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. Buy the Nokia 5.4 if you value a more efficient processor, smoother multitasking, and a more reliable experience with moderately demanding applications, even if it means a slightly higher upfront investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Kirin 710A in the Honor 9C struggle with multitasking compared to the Snapdragon 662?
Yes, the Kirin 710A is likely to exhibit more noticeable slowdowns during multitasking. The Snapdragon 662’s more efficient architecture and improved memory management capabilities allow it to handle multiple apps simultaneously with greater ease. Users frequently switching between apps will likely find the Nokia 5.4 a smoother experience.
❓ Does the 10W charging on the Nokia 5.4 significantly impact its usability compared to a potentially faster-charging Honor 9C?
While 10W charging is slow by modern standards, the Snapdragon 662’s power efficiency mitigates this issue. The Nokia 5.4 will likely require less frequent charging due to its lower power consumption, lessening the impact of the slow charging speed. Overnight charging is a viable solution for most users.
❓ Is the difference in gaming performance between these two phones noticeable?
Yes, the difference is noticeable. The Snapdragon 662 will deliver higher and more sustained frame rates in most games due to its superior thermal management. The Kirin 710A is prone to throttling, leading to dropped frames and a less enjoyable gaming experience, especially during prolonged sessions.
