The budget 5G smartphone market is heating up, and two contenders vying for your attention are the Honor X9 5G and the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G. Both offer 5G connectivity at an affordable price, but which one delivers the best overall experience? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Honor X9 5G takes the lead with its significantly faster charging and generally smoother performance thanks to the Snapdragon 695. However, the Galaxy A14 5G boasts exceptional battery life and the Samsung brand reputation, making it a strong contender for users prioritizing longevity.
| 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 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 2, 5, 66, 77 Sub6/mmWave - USA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, March 29 | 2023, January 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, March 29 | Available. Released 2023, January 12 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 166.1 x 75.8 x 8.1 mm (6.54 x 2.98 x 0.32 in) | 167.7 x 78 x 9.1 mm (6.60 x 3.07 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 189 g (6.67 oz) | 202 g (7.13 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~385 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.81 inches, 112.3 cm2 (~89.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~80.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | PLS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) - SM-A146BOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) - SM-A146P |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | Exynos 1330 (5 nm) - SM-A146BMediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) - SM-A146P |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G68 MP2 - SM-A146BMali-G57 MC2 - SM-A146P |
| OS | Android 11, Magic UI 4.2 | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, One UI Core 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - USA onlymicroSDXC (dedicated slot) - International |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5 | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5 | 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | FM radio (Exynos 1330 chipset only), recording |
| 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, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer (USA only) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 66W wired, 81% in 30 min | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4800 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Titanium Silver, Ocean Blue, Midnight Black | Black, Light Green, Dark Red, Silver |
| Models | ANY-NX1 | SM-A146B, SM-A146B/DS, SM-A146P, SM-A146P/DS, SM-A146U, SM-A146U1, SM-A146U1/DS, SM-A146W, SM-A146P/N, SM-A146P/DSN, SM-S146VL, SM-A146M |
| Price | About 240 EUR | $ 77.63 / C$ 151.00 / £ 97.00 / € 159.79 / ₹ 14,990 |
| SAR | - | 1.00 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.56 W/kg (head) 1.28 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 130h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1334:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-26.8 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 307886 (v9)
GeekBench: 1727 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Honor X9 5G
- Faster Charging (66W)
- Smoother Display (120Hz)
- Generally Better Performance
- Larger Display
- Potentially Lower Battery Life
- Software Support May Be Less Extensive
- Display Brightness May Be Lower
Samsung Galaxy A14 5G
- Exceptional Battery Life (130h Endurance)
- Samsung Brand Reputation
- Reliable Software Updates
- Good Value for Money
- Slower Charging (15W)
- Less Powerful Processor
- Standard 60Hz Display
- Potentially Less Detailed Camera
Display Comparison
The Honor X9 5G typically features a 6.8-inch LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering smoother scrolling and animations. The Galaxy A14 5G has a 6.6-inch LCD display, likely with a standard 60Hz refresh rate. While both boast a high contrast ratio (1334:1), the Honor's higher refresh rate gives it an edge in perceived smoothness. Brightness is a factor, with the A14 5G measured at 519 nits, suggesting the X9 5G may be slightly dimmer.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is often subjective. The Honor X9 5G typically features a 64MP main camera, while the Galaxy A14 5G has a similar setup. Image quality will depend on software processing and scene conditions. Samsung's image processing is generally well-regarded, but the X9 5G might offer slightly more detail in well-lit conditions. Video recording capabilities are comparable.
Performance
The Honor X9 5G's Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G chipset generally outperforms the Galaxy A14 5G's Exynos 1330 or Dimensity 700 (depending on region). The Snapdragon 695 offers better CPU and GPU performance, resulting in snappier app loading and smoother gaming. The A14 5G's chipset is still capable for everyday tasks, but may struggle with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Galaxy A14 5G shines in the battery department. Its endurance rating of 130 hours is exceptional, significantly outperforming the Honor X9 5G. While the X9 5G offers 66W fast charging, allowing it to quickly replenish its battery, the A14 5G's larger battery capacity provides longer usage time between charges.
Buying Guide
The Honor X9 5G is ideal for users who value fast charging, a vibrant display, and a responsive experience. The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G is a better choice for those prioritizing long battery life, Samsung's One UI, and a more reliable software experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Honor X9 5G is generally better for gaming due to its more powerful processor and smoother display.
❓ How long will the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G's battery last?
The Galaxy A14 5G offers exceptional battery life, typically lasting over a day with moderate usage, and potentially up to two days with light usage.