The Honor 9X (China) and Huawei nova 5i Pro represent a fascinating case study in brand differentiation. Both leverage the capable Kirin 810 chipset, yet target slightly different user priorities. This comparison dissects the nuances between these two devices, focusing on where their shared foundation diverges, and which phone ultimately offers the better value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing convenience and faster power-ups, the Huawei nova 5i Pro is the clear winner. Its 20W charging significantly reduces downtime compared to the Honor 9X’s 10W charging, making it ideal for those constantly on the go. While performance is identical, the charging advantage tips the scales.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 19, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat12 600/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, July. Released 2019, July | 2019, July. Released 2019, July |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 163.1 x 77.2 x 8.8 mm (6.42 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) | 156.1 x 73.9 x 8.3 mm (6.15 x 2.91 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 206 g (7.27 oz) | 178 g (6.28 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~391 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~412 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.59 inches, 106.6 cm2 (~84.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.26 inches, 96.2 cm2 (~83.4% 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), EMUI 9.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | Nano Memory (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB 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 |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | - | 13 MP, PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | Motorized pop-up 16 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | 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, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 20W wired |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 725 h (2G) / Up to 625 h (3G) |
| Talk time | - | Up to 26 h (2G) / Up to 16 h (3G) |
| 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 | Black, Aurora, Emerald Green |
| Models | HLK-AL00, HLK-TL00 | SPN-AL00, SPN-TL00 |
| Price | About 180 EUR | About 290 EUR |
Honor 9X (China)
- Potentially lower price point
- Identical Kirin 810 performance
- Solid performance for everyday tasks
- Significantly slower 10W charging
- Likely standard LCD display
- Limited information on camera specs
Huawei nova 5i Pro
- Faster 20W wired charging
- Identical Kirin 810 performance
- Convenient for users needing quick top-ups
- Potentially higher price
- Likely standard LCD display
- Limited information on camera specs
Display Comparison
Both devices likely feature similar LCD panels, given their market positioning. However, detailed display specs (resolution, color gamut coverage, peak brightness) are unavailable. The absence of information suggests neither phone prioritizes display quality as a key selling point. Expect standard LCD performance, adequate for everyday use but not exceptional for media consumption. Bezels are likely comparable, reflecting the mid-range nature of both devices.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera sensor information, a precise comparison is difficult. However, given the market segment, both phones likely employ a multi-camera setup with a primary sensor, an ultrawide lens, and potentially a depth sensor. The image processing algorithms will likely differ between Honor and Huawei, resulting in slightly different color science and dynamic range. The absence of information regarding OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) suggests neither phone features it, potentially impacting low-light photography. Focusing on the primary sensor's megapixel count is less important than its size and quality; without that data, it's impossible to declare a winner.
Performance
The core of both the Honor 9X and nova 5i Pro is the Kirin 810 (7nm). This chipset features an octa-core CPU configuration – 2x 2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 cores for performance and 6x 1.88 GHz Cortex-A55 cores for efficiency. This means identical CPU performance in real-world tasks and gaming. The GPU is also identical, ensuring similar graphics capabilities. The lack of information regarding RAM type (LPDDR4X is probable) and storage speed (UFS 2.1 is likely) suggests neither phone offers a significant advantage in these areas. Thermal management will likely be similar, with the 7nm process helping to mitigate heat during sustained loads.
Battery Life
The most significant difference lies in charging speed. The Huawei nova 5i Pro boasts 20W wired charging, while the Honor 9X is limited to 10W. This translates to a substantially faster 0-100% charge time for the nova 5i Pro. While battery capacity isn't specified, the faster charging is a tangible benefit for users who frequently need to replenish their battery. The 10W charging on the Honor 9X will require significantly longer to achieve a full charge, potentially causing inconvenience for users with demanding lifestyles.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor 9X (China) if you prioritize absolute lowest cost and are comfortable with slower charging speeds. It’s a solid performer for basic tasks and light gaming. Buy the Huawei nova 5i Pro if you value faster charging, even if it means a slightly higher price. This is the better choice for users who need to quickly top up their battery throughout the day and don't want to be tethered to a charger for extended periods.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Kirin 810 in the Honor 9X and nova 5i Pro capable of handling demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Kirin 810 is a capable chipset for gaming. You can expect playable frame rates in PUBG Mobile at medium to high settings. However, sustained gaming may lead to some thermal throttling, potentially reducing performance over extended sessions. Both phones likely share similar thermal limitations.
❓ How much faster is the 20W charging on the nova 5i Pro compared to the 10W charging on the Honor 9X?
The 20W charging on the nova 5i Pro will significantly reduce charging time. While exact figures depend on battery capacity (which is unknown), you can expect a full charge to take roughly half the time compared to the Honor 9X. This is a substantial convenience factor for users who frequently need to top up their battery.
❓ Will I notice a difference in performance between the Honor 9X and nova 5i Pro during everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
No, you likely won't notice a difference in performance during everyday tasks. Both phones share the same Kirin 810 chipset and similar RAM configurations, meaning they will perform identically for basic operations. The difference lies in charging speed, not raw processing power.
