The Honor Magic4 Lite and X9a are both compelling budget smartphones vying for your attention. Both offer 5G connectivity and a decent feature set, but key differences in display, charging speed, and camera capabilities could sway your decision. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you choose the right one.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Honor Magic4 Lite edges out the X9a thanks to its significantly better battery life and brighter display. While both share the same chipset, the Magic4 Lite's 66W charging and superior screen make it the more well-rounded choice for most users, despite the X9a's potentially more durable build.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | LTE |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, March 23 | 2023, January 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, April 26 | Available. Released 2023, January 06 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 166 x 75.8 x 8 mm (6.54 x 2.98 x 0.31 in) | 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 | 189 g (6.67 oz) | 175 g (6.17 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~385 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.81 inches, 112.3 cm2 (~89.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~89.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 11, Magic UI 4.2 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, MagicOS 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB 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 | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5 | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5 | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | 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, 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, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 66W wired | 40W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4800 mAh | Li-Po 5100 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Titanium Silver, Ocean Blue, Midnight Black | Titanium Silver, Emerald Green, Midnight Black |
| Models | ANY-LX1, ANY-LX2, ANY-LX3 | RMO-NX1 |
| Price | About 180 EUR | $ 212.08 |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 104h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1229:1 | - |
| Loudspeaker |
-34.0 LUFS (Poor)
| - |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 387218 (v9)
GeekBench: 1906 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Honor Magic4 Lite
- Exceptional battery life (104h endurance)
- Brighter display (535 nits)
- Faster 66W charging
- Likely better camera system (based on typical Magic series features)
- Potentially less durable build compared to X9a
- Specific camera specs unknown
Honor X9a
- Potentially more robust design
- Decent 40W charging
- Shorter battery life
- Less bright display (assumed)
- Slower charging
- Camera performance unknown
Display Comparison
The Honor Magic4 Lite boasts a significantly brighter display at 535 nits compared to the X9a (brightness not specified, assumed lower). The contrast ratio of 1229:1 on both phones is excellent, promising deep blacks and vibrant colors. However, the Magic4 Lite's higher brightness will be noticeable in outdoor conditions.
Camera Comparison
While both phones are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, detailed camera specifications are missing. Generally, the Magic4 Lite is expected to have a more advanced camera system, potentially with a higher resolution main sensor or additional features. Image quality will depend on software processing and sensor size, which are unknown.
Performance
Both phones utilize the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G chipset, ensuring similar performance for everyday tasks and moderate gaming. Don't expect flagship-level speeds, but both should handle social media, browsing, and casual games without issue. RAM and storage configurations will likely vary by region, impacting multitasking performance.
Battery Life
This is where the Magic4 Lite truly shines. Its endurance rating of 104 hours is exceptional, suggesting significantly longer battery life than the X9a. The X9a's 40W charging is decent, but falls short of the Magic4 Lite's 66W fast charging, allowing for quicker top-ups.
Buying Guide
The Honor Magic4 Lite is ideal for users prioritizing battery life and a vibrant display. It's a great choice for those who spend a lot of time on their phones and want a long-lasting experience. The Honor X9a is better suited for users who value a potentially more robust design and don't mind slower charging, and are less concerned with display brightness.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
Both phones share the same chipset, so gaming performance will be similar. However, the Magic4 Lite's better battery life might allow for longer gaming sessions.
❓ Is the Honor X9a more durable?
The X9a is often marketed with a focus on durability, potentially featuring a more robust build. However, specific details about its construction are needed for a definitive answer.