Honor offers a range of smartphones catering to different budgets and needs. The Honor Magic5 represents their flagship offering, while the Honor X9a targets the mid-range segment. This comparison dives deep into their features to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Honor Magic5 is the clear winner for performance and camera capabilities thanks to its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset. However, the Honor X9a offers excellent value with a vibrant display and decent battery life at a significantly lower price point. Choose the Magic5 for power, or the X9a for budget-friendliness.
| 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 - China | LTE |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - China | 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 | 2023, February 27 | 2023, January 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, March 31 | Available. Released 2023, January 06 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back or eco leather back | - |
| Dimensions | 161.4 x 75.5 x 7.8 mm (6.35 x 2.97 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 + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 191 g (6.74 oz) | 175 g (6.17 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1224 x 2688 pixels (~439 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.73 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~90.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~89.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1600 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 740 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 13, MagicOS 7.1 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, MagicOS 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS | - |
| 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 |
| Single | 12 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide), 1.22µm | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) |
| Triple | 54 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.49", PDAF
32 MP, f/2.4, (telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 2.5x optical zoom
50 MP, f/2.0, 13mm, 122˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.5", AF | - |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10, 10-bit video | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 12 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide), 1.22µm | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| | 24-bit audio stereo recording | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a) | 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/6/7, 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), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 66W wired
5W reverse wired | 40W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5100 mAh | Li-Po 5100 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Glacier Blue, Green, Purple, Orange | Titanium Silver, Emerald Green, Midnight Black |
| Models | PGT-AN00, PGT-N09 | RMO-NX1 |
| Price | About 900 EUR | $ 212.08 |
Honor Magic5
- Flagship Performance (Snapdragon 8 Gen 2)
- Superior Camera System
- Faster Charging (66W)
- Premium Build Quality
- High-Resolution Display
- Higher Price
- Potentially Larger Size/Weight
Honor X9a
- Excellent Value for Money
- Vibrant OLED Display (120Hz)
- Stylish Design
- Decent Battery Life
- 5G Connectivity
- Mid-Range Performance (Snapdragon 695)
- Less Capable Camera
- Slower Charging (40W)
- Less Premium Materials
Display Comparison
The Honor X9a boasts a 6.67-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering vibrant colors and smooth scrolling. The Magic5 also features a 6.67-inch OLED display, but with a higher resolution and likely better color accuracy and brightness. While both offer 120Hz, the Magic5's panel is expected to be superior in overall quality.
Camera Comparison
The Magic5's camera system is a major upgrade. While specific megapixel counts vary, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2's image signal processor (ISP) and likely larger sensors contribute to superior image quality, dynamic range, and low-light performance. The X9a's camera is decent, but not in the same league as the Magic5. Expect better detail and clarity from the Magic5.
Performance
Here's where the Magic5 truly shines. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset provides significantly faster processing speeds and smoother multitasking compared to the X9a's Snapdragon 695 5G. Gaming performance will be dramatically better on the Magic5, and demanding apps will run with ease. The X9a is adequate for everyday use but will struggle with intensive tasks.
Battery Life
The Honor X9a has a 40W charging speed, which is respectable. The Magic5 offers 66W wired charging and 5W reverse wired charging, allowing for faster charging and the ability to charge other devices. Battery capacity is likely similar between the two, but the Magic5's faster charging gives it an edge.
Buying Guide
The Honor Magic5 is ideal for power users, gamers, and photography enthusiasts who demand top-tier performance and features. The Honor X9a is a great choice for budget-conscious buyers who want a stylish phone with a good display and reliable performance for everyday tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Honor Magic5 worth the extra money?
If you prioritize performance, camera quality, and fast charging, then yes, the Honor Magic5 is worth the investment. However, if you're on a budget, the X9a offers a compelling alternative.
❓ Can the Honor X9a handle gaming?
The Honor X9a can handle casual games, but it may struggle with demanding titles at high settings. The Honor Magic5 is significantly better suited for gaming.
