The Honor 9X and 9X Pro represent Huawei’s (and now Honor’s) attempt to deliver compelling mid-range smartphones. While both devices share the same Kirin 810 chipset, subtle differences in display characteristics and battery endurance create distinct user experiences. This comparison dissects these nuances to determine which model offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Honor 9X Pro is the superior choice. While both phones utilize the Kirin 810 and share the same 10W charging, the 9X Pro’s demonstrably brighter display (517 nits measured) and longer endurance rating (104 hours) justify the price difference, offering a more enjoyable and reliable daily experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat12 600/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat12 600/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, July. Released 2019, July | 2019, July 23. Released 2019, August 09 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 163.1 x 77.2 x 8.8 mm (6.42 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) | 163.5 x 77.3 x 8.8 mm (6.44 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 206 g (7.27 oz) | 202 g (7.13 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~391 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~391 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.59 inches, 106.6 cm2 (~84.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.59 inches, 106.6 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x1.88 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x1.88 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Kirin 810 (7 nm) | Kirin 810 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MP6 | Mali-G52 MP6 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.1 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, EMUI 9.1, no Google Play Services |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| 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, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | Motorized pop-up 16 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | Motorized pop-up 16 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@60fps | 1080p@60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE (International)5.0, A2DP, LE (China) |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Magic Night Black, Charm Sea Blue, Charm Red, Icelandic White | Midnight Black, Phantom Purple |
| Models | HLK-AL00, HLK-TL00 | HLK-AL10, HLK-TL10, HLK-L41, HLK-L42 |
| Price | About 180 EUR | About 230 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 104h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1319:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-31.1 LUFS (Below average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 312668 (v8)
GeekBench: 7836 (v4.4), 1911 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 18fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Honor 9X (China)
- Potentially lower price point
- Identical Kirin 810 performance
- Similar contrast ratio to the Pro model
- Lower display brightness
- No endurance rating provided, suggesting shorter battery life
- Limited to 10W charging
Honor 9X Pro
- Superior display brightness (517 nits)
- Excellent 104-hour endurance rating
- Identical Kirin 810 performance
- Limited to 10W charging
- Potentially higher price
- Camera specifications are vague
Display Comparison
Both the Honor 9X and 9X Pro feature displays with a 1319:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar panel technology. However, the Honor 9X Pro distinguishes itself with a measured peak brightness of 517 nits, significantly improving visibility in bright sunlight compared to the nominal 1319:1 contrast ratio specification of the 9X. This difference is crucial for outdoor readability and overall viewing comfort. While neither device boasts high refresh rates, the Pro’s brightness advantage is a tangible benefit.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details regarding sensor size, aperture, or image processing. This lack of detail makes a direct comparison impossible. It’s reasonable to assume both phones offer a similar camera experience geared towards social media sharing rather than professional photography. The absence of any mention of OIS suggests image stabilization will rely primarily on software algorithms. Without further information, it’s difficult to ascertain any meaningful difference in camera performance.
Performance
Both the Honor 9X and 9X Pro are powered by the Kirin 810 (7nm) chipset, featuring an octa-core CPU configuration with 2x 2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 cores and 6x 1.88 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This means identical CPU performance for everyday tasks and gaming. The absence of information regarding RAM type or speed prevents a deeper analysis of multitasking capabilities, but the Kirin 810 is generally capable of handling demanding applications. Thermal management will likely be similar on both devices, given the shared chipset and likely similar internal designs.
Battery Life
The Honor 9X Pro boasts an endurance rating of 104 hours, indicating significantly better battery life than the Honor 9X, which lacks this specification. Both phones are limited to 10W wired charging, meaning recharge times will be relatively slow. The Pro’s superior endurance suggests a larger battery capacity or more efficient power management, allowing users to go longer between charges. The 10W charging speed is a notable drawback on both devices, especially compared to the faster charging solutions available on competing smartphones.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor 9X (China) if you prioritize absolute cost savings and are comfortable with a potentially less vibrant display experience. It’s a solid option for basic smartphone tasks. Buy the Honor 9X Pro if you value a brighter, more visible screen for outdoor use and longer battery life between charges, making it ideal for media consumption and users on the go.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the 10W charging speed on either phone a significant drawback?
Yes, 10W charging is considerably slower than the 25W or 66W charging found on many competing smartphones. Expect recharge times to be over 2 hours for a full charge, making it less convenient for users who need quick top-ups.
❓ Given the shared Kirin 810 chipset, will I notice a difference in gaming performance between the two phones?
No, you likely won't notice a significant difference in gaming performance. Both phones utilize the same chipset and CPU configuration, meaning frame rates and responsiveness will be comparable in most games. However, the Pro's potentially better thermal management *could* lead to slightly less throttling during extended gaming sessions.
❓ How does the display quality of the Honor 9X Pro compare to other phones in its price range?
The 517 nits peak brightness of the Honor 9X Pro is competitive within the mid-range segment, but not exceptional. Many newer phones offer significantly brighter displays. However, the 1319:1 contrast ratio is respectable and contributes to a good overall viewing experience.
