The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and two contenders vying for your attention are the Honor X9 5G and the Samsung Galaxy A54. Both offer compelling features, but cater to slightly different needs. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A54 emerges as the overall winner thanks to its superior display, camera capabilities, and significantly longer battery life. While the Honor X9 5G boasts faster charging, the A54's consistent performance and Samsung's software support make it the more well-rounded choice.
| 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, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | 25, 41, 66, 71 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, March 29 | 2023, March 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, March 29 | Available. Released 2023, March 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 166.1 x 75.8 x 8.1 mm (6.54 x 2.98 x 0.32 in) | 158.2 x 76.7 x 8.2 mm (6.23 x 3.02 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 189 g (6.67 oz) | 202 g (7.13 oz) |
| | - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~385 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.81 inches, 112.3 cm2 (~89.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | Exynos 1380 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G68 MP5 |
| OS | Android 11, Magic UI 4.2 | Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5 | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS
12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.X", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@480fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5 | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, 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/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer (USA only) |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 66W wired, 81% in 30 min | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4800 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Titanium Silver, Ocean Blue, Midnight Black | Lime, Graphite, Violet, White |
| Models | ANY-NX1 | SM-A546V, SM-A546U, SM-A546U1, SM-A546B, SM-A546B/DS, SM-A546E, SM-A546E/DS, SM-A5460, SM-A546M, SM-A546M/DS, SM-A546W |
| Price | About 240 EUR | € 210.00 / $ 119.11 / £ 169.95 / ₹ 28,999 |
| SAR | - | 0.81 W/kg (head) 0.67 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.69 W/kg (head) 1.34 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 119h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-26.6 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 506678 (v9)
GeekBench: 2703 (v5.1), 2797 (v6)
GFXBench: 25fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Honor X9 5G
- Fast 66W Charging
- Large Display
- Competitive Price
- Average Camera Performance
- Less Efficient Processor
- Software Updates Less Guaranteed
Samsung Galaxy A54
- Excellent Display (Super AMOLED)
- Superior Camera System
- Long Battery Life
- Samsung Software Support
- Slower Charging (25W)
- Higher Price
- Exynos Chipset Performance (can throttle under sustained load)
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A54 takes a clear lead in the display department. Its 980 nits peak brightness and infinite contrast ratio provide a vibrant and immersive viewing experience. The Honor X9 5G has a large display, but lacks the A54's color accuracy and brightness. The A54's Super AMOLED panel is noticeably superior.
Camera Comparison
Samsung's Galaxy A54 consistently delivers better camera results. Its image processing is more refined, producing more natural-looking photos with better dynamic range. The Honor X9 5G's camera is decent, but struggles in low-light conditions and lacks the A54's versatility.
Performance
The Exynos 1380 in the Galaxy A54 generally offers smoother performance than the Snapdragon 695 5G in the Honor X9 5G, especially in demanding tasks. While the Snapdragon 695 is capable, the Exynos 1380's architecture and 5nm process provide a slight edge in efficiency and responsiveness. Gaming performance is also generally better on the A54.
Battery Life
The Galaxy A54 dominates in battery life. Its endurance rating of 119 hours is exceptional, offering multiple days of use. The Honor X9 5G's battery life is respectable, but falls short of the A54's longevity. However, the Honor X9 5G's 66W charging significantly reduces top-up times.
Buying Guide
The Honor X9 5G is a good option for users prioritizing fast charging and a large display on a budget. The Samsung Galaxy A54 is ideal for those seeking a premium display, excellent camera performance, and long-lasting battery life, even if it means sacrificing charging speed.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better software support?
The Samsung Galaxy A54 benefits from Samsung's commitment to long-term software updates, including multiple years of OS upgrades and security patches. Honor's software support is generally less consistent.
❓ Is the Honor X9 5G worth it if I need fast charging?
Yes, the Honor X9 5G's 66W charging is a significant advantage if quick top-ups are a priority. However, consider if the trade-offs in other areas (camera, display, battery life) are acceptable.
