The Honor Play4 Pro and 9X Pro represent distinct points in Honor's mid-range strategy. The 9X Pro prioritized all-day battery life and a competitive price, while the Play4 Pro aimed to deliver a significant performance boost with the Kirin 990. This comparison dissects the trade-offs between raw power and sustained usability.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing performance and faster charging, the Honor Play4 Pro is the clear winner. Its Kirin 990 chipset offers a substantial upgrade over the 9X Pro’s Kirin 810. However, the 9X Pro remains a compelling option for those who value long battery life and a lower price point.
| 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 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat12 600/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, June 03. Released 2020, June 10 | 2019, July 23. Released 2019, August 09 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 162.7 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm (6.41 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) | 163.5 x 77.3 x 8.8 mm (6.44 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 213 g (7.51 oz) | 202 g (7.13 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~391 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.57 inches, 104.2 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.59 inches, 106.6 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.86 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x2.09 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.86 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x1.88 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Kirin 990 (7 nm) | Kirin 810 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MP16 | Mali-G52 MP6 |
| OS | Android 10, Magic UI 3.1, no Google Play Services | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, EMUI 9.1, no Google Play Services |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 40 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/1.7", PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, 80mm (telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom | - |
| Features | Laser AF, LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, 120˚ (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps, 1080p@960fps, OIS, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
8 MP, (ultrawide) | - |
| Features | Panorama | - |
| Single | - | Motorized pop-up 16 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE (International)5.0, A2DP, LE (China) |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 40W wired, 70% in 30 min
Reverse wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4200 mAh | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Light Blue | Midnight Black, Phantom Purple |
| Models | OXP-AN00 | HLK-AL10, HLK-TL10, HLK-L41, HLK-L42 |
| Price | About 360 EUR | About 230 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 104h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1319:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-31.1 LUFS (Below average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 312668 (v8)
GeekBench: 7836 (v4.4), 1911 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 18fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Honor Play4 Pro
- Significantly faster processor (Kirin 990)
- 40W fast charging for quick top-ups
- Likely improved camera performance
- Potentially better thermal management
- Battery life may be shorter than the 9X Pro
- Price is likely higher than the 9X Pro
Honor 9X Pro
- Excellent battery life (104h endurance rating)
- More affordable price point
- Decent display brightness (517 nits)
- Good contrast ratio (1319:1)
- Slower processor (Kirin 810)
- Slow 10W charging
- Potentially inferior camera performance
Display Comparison
Both the Honor Play4 Pro and 9X Pro share a contrast ratio of 1319:1, suggesting similar panel quality in terms of black levels and color reproduction. However, the 9X Pro’s measured peak brightness of 517 nits provides a tangible advantage in outdoor visibility. While the Play4 Pro’s display specifications are not provided, the 9X Pro’s brightness is a key differentiator for users frequently exposed to sunlight. The lack of refresh rate information for either device suggests both likely operate at a standard 60Hz.
Camera Comparison
Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are limited. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Play4 Pro, being the newer and more premium device, likely benefits from improved image processing algorithms and potentially a more capable main sensor. The presence of a dedicated Night Mode or AI scene detection would be a key advantage for the Play4 Pro, but this cannot be confirmed with the provided data. The 9X Pro’s camera is likely adequate for casual photography, but the Play4 Pro is expected to deliver superior image quality, particularly in challenging lighting conditions.
Performance
The Kirin 990 in the Play4 Pro represents a significant architectural leap over the Kirin 810 in the 9X Pro. The 990’s octa-core configuration, featuring two high-performance Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.86 GHz, delivers substantially higher CPU performance compared to the 9X Pro’s 2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 cores. The 990 also benefits from a more efficient 7nm process, potentially leading to better thermal management under sustained load. The Play4 Pro’s GPU will also offer a considerable improvement in graphics performance, making it the superior choice for gaming. The 9X Pro’s six Cortex-A55 cores are efficient, but cannot match the raw processing power of the 990’s configuration.
Battery Life
The Honor 9X Pro boasts an endurance rating of 104 hours, indicating excellent battery life for typical usage. However, the Play4 Pro compensates for potentially lower battery capacity with its 40W wired charging, capable of reaching 70% charge in just 30 minutes. This dramatically reduces downtime compared to the 9X Pro’s slow 10W charging. While the 9X Pro excels in longevity, the Play4 Pro offers the convenience of rapid replenishment, making it more suitable for users who frequently need to top up their battery throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor Play4 Pro if you need a phone capable of handling demanding games and applications, and appreciate the convenience of 40W fast charging. This is the choice for power users and mobile gamers. Buy the Honor 9X Pro if you prioritize all-day battery life, a more affordable price, and are willing to compromise on peak performance. It’s ideal for everyday tasks and media consumption.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Kirin 990 in the Play4 Pro get noticeably warmer during extended gaming sessions compared to the Kirin 810 in the 9X Pro?
While the Kirin 990 is more powerful, the 7nm process node and potential thermal design improvements in the Play4 Pro *should* mitigate excessive heat buildup. However, sustained gaming will inevitably generate heat. The 9X Pro’s Kirin 810, being less powerful, will likely run cooler, but at the cost of performance. Expect some throttling on both devices during prolonged, demanding gameplay.
❓ How much faster is the 40W charging on the Play4 Pro compared to the 10W charging on the 9X Pro in real-world usage?
The difference is substantial. The Play4 Pro can reach 70% charge in 30 minutes, while the 9X Pro’s 10W charging will take several hours to achieve a similar charge level. This means you can quickly top up the Play4 Pro during a short break, whereas the 9X Pro requires overnight charging for a full refill. The convenience factor is a major advantage for the Play4 Pro.
❓ Is the camera on the Honor Play4 Pro significantly better for low-light photography?
While specific camera specs are limited, the Play4 Pro, being the newer device, likely incorporates improved image processing algorithms and potentially a larger sensor. This would translate to better low-light performance, capturing more detail and reducing noise compared to the 9X Pro. Expect clearer and more vibrant photos in challenging lighting conditions.
