The Honor X series consistently delivers impressive value in the budget smartphone market. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Honor X30i and the Honor X9. Both offer attractive features, but which one truly comes out on top?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Honor X9 is the clear winner. While the X30i offers a decent chipset, the X9's significantly faster charging, improved display, and generally better overall performance make it the superior choice, especially considering the relatively small price difference.
| 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 | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1x | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, October 28 | 2022, March 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, November 02 | Available. Released 2022, April 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 163.4 x 74.7 x 7.5 mm (6.43 x 2.94 x 0.30 in) | 166.1 x 75.8 x 8.1 mm (6.54 x 2.98 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 175 g (6.17 oz) | 189 g (6.67 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~391 ppi density) | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~385 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 108.7 cm2 (~89.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.81 inches, 112.3 cm2 (~89.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 11, Magic UI 5.0 | Android 11, Magic UI 4.2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | - |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 16 MP, f/2.5 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | 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, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 22.5W wired | 66W wired, 81% in 30 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 4800 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Silver, Rose Gold | Titanium Silver, Ocean Blue, Midnight Black |
| Models | TFY-AN00 | - |
| Price | About 190 EUR | About 230 EUR |
Honor X30i
- Decent performance for everyday tasks
- Sleek design
- Good value for money
- Slower charging speed
- Likely 60Hz display
- Less powerful processor than X9
Honor X9
- Fast 66W charging
- 120Hz display
- Better performance
- Improved camera quality
- Larger size may not suit everyone
- Potentially slightly higher price
Display Comparison
The Honor X9 boasts a 6.8-inch IPS LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering a smoother visual experience compared to the X30i's likely standard 60Hz display (spec not explicitly stated, but common for this price range). The X9's larger size also provides more screen real estate for media consumption and multitasking.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature multi-camera setups. The X9 generally offers better image quality, particularly in low-light conditions, due to its likely superior sensor and image processing algorithms. While both have a 64MP main sensor, the X9's overall camera system is more refined.
Performance
The Snapdragon 680 in the Honor X9 provides a noticeable performance boost over the Dimensity 810 in the X30i. While both are capable of handling everyday tasks, the X9 excels in gaming and multitasking, thanks to the Snapdragon's efficiency and optimized architecture. The X9's Adreno 662 GPU also offers better graphics performance.
Battery Life
The Honor X9's 66W fast charging is a game-changer. It can charge the battery from 0% to 81% in just 30 minutes, a significant advantage over the X30i's 22.5W charging. Both phones likely have similar battery capacities (around 4000-5000mAh), but the X9's charging speed makes a huge difference in usability.
Buying Guide
The Honor X30i is a good option for users prioritizing a smooth, everyday experience and are less concerned about fast charging or a premium display. The Honor X9 is ideal for those who want a faster charging experience, a better display, and a more powerful processor for gaming and demanding tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Honor X30i good for gaming?
The Honor X30i can handle casual games, but demanding titles may experience lag or reduced graphics settings. The Honor X9 is a better choice for serious mobile gamers.
❓ How long does it take to fully charge the Honor X9?
The Honor X9 can be fully charged in approximately 45-50 minutes with its 66W fast charger.
