Honor offers a range of smartphones catering to different budgets and needs. The Magic3 Pro represents their flagship offering, while the X9a targets the mid-range market. This comparison dives deep into their features to help you decide which Honor phone is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Honor Magic3 Pro is the clear winner for performance, camera quality, and charging speed. However, the Honor X9a provides excellent value for money with a vibrant display and solid battery life, making it a compelling choice for budget-conscious buyers.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | LTE |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA | SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, August 12 | 2023, January 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, September 01 | Available. Released 2023, January 06 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back or vegan leather back, aluminum frame | - |
| Dimensions | 162.8 x 74.9 x 9.0 mm or 9.5 mm | 161.6 x 73.9 x 7.9 mm (6.36 x 2.91 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 212 g / 213 g (7.48 oz) | 175 g (6.17 oz) |
| | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1344 x 2772 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~456 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.76 inches, 115.7 cm2 (~94.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~89.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+ | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.99 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888+ 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 11, Magic UI 5 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, MagicOS 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) |
| Features | Color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF
64 MP, f/3.5, 90mm (telephoto), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS, 3.5x optical zoom
64 MP, f/1.8, (monochrome)
13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), PDAF
TOF 3D (depth) | - |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide)
TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide)
TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a) | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 66W wired
66W wireless
5W reverse wireless
5W reverse wired | 40W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4600 mAh | Li-Po 5100 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Golden Hour (Vegan Leather), Black, White | Titanium Silver, Emerald Green, Midnight Black |
| Models | ELZ-AN10 | RMO-NX1 |
| Price | About 800 EUR | $ 212.08 |
Honor Magic3 Pro
- Exceptional Performance
- Flagship Camera System
- Fast Charging (Wired & Wireless)
- Premium Build Quality
- High Refresh Rate Display
- High Price
- Potential for Overheating under sustained load
- Larger Size
Honor X9a
- Excellent Value for Money
- Vibrant OLED Display
- Good Battery Life
- Stylish Design
- 120Hz Refresh Rate
- Mid-Range Performance
- Less Capable Camera
- Slower Charging
- Plastic Build
Display Comparison
The Honor X9a boasts a 6.53-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering vibrant colors and smooth scrolling. The Magic3 Pro features a 6.76-inch OLED display, also with a 120Hz refresh rate, but with a higher resolution and potentially better color accuracy. Both offer excellent viewing experiences, but the Magic3 Pro's slightly superior specs give it an edge.
Camera Comparison
The Magic3 Pro's camera system is a major highlight, featuring a 50MP main sensor, an ultrawide lens, and a telephoto lens, often with advanced features like computational photography and video stabilization. The X9a has a triple camera setup, typically with a 48MP main sensor, but lacks the advanced hardware and software processing of the Magic3 Pro. The Magic3 Pro delivers significantly better image quality, especially in low light.
Performance
The Magic3 Pro's Snapdragon 888+ chipset is significantly more powerful than the X9a's Snapdragon 695. Expect noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the Magic3 Pro. The X9a is adequate for everyday tasks but will struggle with demanding games or applications.
Battery Life
The Honor X9a generally offers better battery life due to its more efficient chipset and potentially larger battery capacity (around 4800mAh). The Magic3 Pro (around 4600mAh) has faster charging speeds (66W wired and wireless) but may drain faster under heavy use.
Buying Guide
The Honor Magic3 Pro is ideal for power users, photography enthusiasts, and those who demand the best performance and features. The Honor X9a is perfect for everyday users who prioritize a large, attractive display, good battery life, and a more affordable price point.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Honor Magic3 Pro worth the extra cost?
If you prioritize performance, camera quality, and fast charging, the Magic3 Pro is worth the investment. However, if you're on a budget, the X9a offers a compelling alternative.
❓ Can the Honor X9a handle demanding games?
The Honor X9a can handle some games, but it may struggle with graphically intensive titles at high settings. The Magic3 Pro is significantly better suited for gaming.
