The Honor 9X (China) and vivo S5 represent compelling options in the competitive mid-range smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, they take different approaches. The Honor 9X leverages Huawei’s in-house Kirin 810 chipset, while the vivo S5 opts for Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 712. This comparison dissects these key differences, focusing on performance, charging speed, and the user experience each offers.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing faster charging and a slightly smoother everyday experience, the vivo S5 emerges as the better choice. Its 22.5W charging significantly outperforms the Honor 9X’s 10W, and the Snapdragon 712 offers a consistent performance profile. However, the Honor 9X remains a viable option for those seeking a potentially more efficient chipset.
| 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, 4, 5, 8, 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, November. Released 2019, November |
| 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) | 157.9 x 73.9 x 8.6 mm (6.22 x 2.91 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 206 g (7.27 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~391 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.59 inches, 106.6 cm2 (~84.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.44 inches, 100.1 cm2 (~85.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x1.88 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver) |
| Chipset | Kirin 810 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SDM712 Snapdragon 712 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MP6 | Adreno 616 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.1 | Android 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9.2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB 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, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| 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/2.4, 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, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 22.5W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | 4100 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Magic Night Black, Charm Sea Blue, Charm Red, Icelandic White | Icelandic Blue, Phantom Blue, Star Black |
| Models | HLK-AL00, HLK-TL00 | V1932A |
| Price | About 180 EUR | About 350 EUR |
Honor 9X (China)
- Potentially more power-efficient chipset (Kirin 810, 7nm)
- Huawei’s software optimizations (depending on user preference)
- May offer a more unique software experience
- Significantly slower charging (10W)
- Potentially less optimized gaming performance
- Limited global availability
vivo S5
- Faster charging (22.5W)
- Smoother overall performance (Snapdragon 712)
- Wider availability and Qualcomm ecosystem support
- Potentially less power-efficient chipset (Snapdragon 712, 10nm)
- Image processing may be less vibrant than Honor
- May lack some of Huawei’s software features
Display Comparison
Neither device’s display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the market positioning, both likely feature LCD panels. The vivo S5, being marketed with a focus on aesthetics, may have slightly slimmer bezels. Color accuracy will likely be similar, tuned for vibrant visuals common in this segment. Without specific data on peak brightness or color gamut coverage, it’s difficult to declare a clear winner.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, analysis is limited. Both phones likely feature multi-camera setups geared towards social media sharing. The presence of a 2MP macro lens on either device is unlikely to significantly impact image quality. The primary sensor size and aperture are crucial factors, but absent that data, we can only speculate. Image processing styles will differ – Huawei typically favors vibrant, saturated colors, while vivo often aims for a more natural look. The Snapdragon 712’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) is well-regarded, potentially giving the vivo S5 a slight advantage in image processing speed and quality.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Honor 9X’s Kirin 810 (7nm) utilizes a big.LITTLE architecture with 2x 2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 cores and 6x 1.88 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The vivo S5’s Snapdragon 712 (10nm) employs 2x 2.3 GHz Kryo 360 Gold cores and 6x 1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver cores. While the Snapdragon 712 boasts a slightly higher peak clock speed, the Kirin 810’s 7nm process *should* offer better power efficiency. However, Qualcomm’s optimizations often translate to smoother performance in real-world usage, particularly in sustained tasks. The Snapdragon 712’s Adreno 616 GPU is generally considered to offer a slight edge in graphics performance over the Kirin 810’s Mali-G52 MP6. Both phones likely feature sufficient RAM for multitasking, but the Snapdragon 712 benefits from Qualcomm’s optimized memory controller.
Battery Life
The Honor 9X’s 10W charging is a significant drawback compared to the vivo S5’s 22.5W fast charging. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging of the vivo S5 translates to a much quicker 0-100% charge time. This is a critical advantage for users who frequently need to top up their battery throughout the day. The Kirin 810’s 7nm process *could* contribute to slightly better battery life under light usage, but the vivo S5’s faster charging mitigates the impact of any potential efficiency gains.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor 9X (China) if you prioritize potential long-term efficiency and are comfortable with slower charging speeds. This phone suits users who aren't heavily reliant on quick top-ups and value Huawei’s software ecosystem. Buy the vivo S5 if you demand faster charging, a consistently responsive user interface, and a more readily available Qualcomm-based experience. This is the better choice for users who frequently find themselves needing to quickly replenish their battery.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Kirin 810 in the Honor 9X struggle with graphically demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Kirin 810 is capable, the Snapdragon 712 in the vivo S5 generally offers a more consistent gaming experience. The Snapdragon’s Adreno 616 GPU provides a slight performance advantage, potentially resulting in higher frame rates and smoother gameplay in demanding titles. Expect to adjust graphics settings on the Honor 9X to maintain stable performance.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the vivo S5 with its 22.5W fast charging?
With 22.5W charging, the vivo S5 can typically charge from 0% to 100% in approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on battery capacity and usage during charging. This is a substantial improvement over the Honor 9X’s significantly slower 10W charging, which could take upwards of 3-4 hours for a full charge.
❓ Is the difference in chipset efficiency between the Kirin 810 and Snapdragon 712 noticeable in everyday use?
The difference in efficiency is likely subtle in typical daily usage. The Kirin 810’s 7nm process *should* consume less power, but Qualcomm’s software optimizations for the Snapdragon 712 often close the gap. Heavy users and gamers will likely see a more noticeable impact on battery life.
