Honor continues to deliver compelling mid-range smartphones, and the X9 and 70 are prime examples. But which one offers the best value and features? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their specs, performance, and overall experience to help you make an informed decision.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Honor 70 emerges as the clear winner, boasting a significantly faster Snapdragon 778G+ chipset, a brighter display, and a more refined camera system. While the X9 offers a competitive price, the 70's superior performance and features justify the higher cost for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 1, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - China |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, March 31 | 2022, May 30 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, April 14 | Available. Released 2022, June 02 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 166.1 x 75.8 x 8.1 mm (6.54 x 2.98 x 0.32 in) | 161.4 x 73.3 x 7.9 mm (6.35 x 2.89 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 189 g (6.67 oz) | 178 g (6.28 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~385 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.81 inches, 112.3 cm2 (~89.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~90.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+ |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) | Octa-core (1x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM7325-AE Snapdragon 778G+ 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 642L |
| OS | Android 11, Magic UI 4.2 | Android 12, Magic UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Single | - | 32 MP, f/2.4, (wide) |
| Triple | - | 54 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.49", PDAF
50 MP, f/2.2, 122˚ (ultrawide), AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5 | 32 MP, f/2.4, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, 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, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 66W wired, 81% in 30 min | 66W wired, 60% in 20 min
5W reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4800 mAh | Li-Po 4800 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Titanium Silver, Ocean Blue, Midnight Black | Midnight Black, Emerald Green, Icelandic Frost, Crystal Silver |
| Models | - | FNE-AN00, FNE-NX9 |
| Price | About 230 EUR | £ 201.00 / € 189.90 |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 100h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-29.4 LUFS (Average)
|
Honor X9
- Large Display
- Fast 66W Charging
- Competitive Price
- Decent Battery Life
- Less Powerful Chipset
- Lower Display Brightness
- No 5G Connectivity
- Less Capable Camera
Honor 70
- Faster Snapdragon 778G+ Chipset
- Brighter Display
- Better Camera Performance
- 5G Connectivity
- Reverse Wired Charging
- Higher Price
- Slightly Slower Charging (compared to percentage)
- Battery life is similar to X9
Display Comparison
The Honor 70's display shines with a measured 790 nits max brightness, offering significantly better visibility in outdoor conditions compared to the X9. The 'Infinite' contrast ratio (nominal) suggests excellent blacks and vibrant colors on the 70. While the X9 has a large display, it lacks the brightness and contrast of the 70.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer capable cameras, the Honor 70 is expected to deliver superior image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. The 70 likely has more advanced image processing algorithms and potentially a higher-resolution main sensor. Specific camera specs are missing, but the 778G+ generally supports better camera features.
Performance
The Snapdragon 778G+ in the Honor 70 provides a substantial performance boost over the Snapdragon 680 in the X9. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the 70. The 778G+'s architecture (1x Cortex-A78 + 3x Cortex-A78 + 4x Cortex-A55) is more efficient and powerful than the X9's (4x Kryo 265 Gold & 4x Kryo 265 Silver).
Battery Life
Both phones offer a respectable endurance rating of 100h. The Honor 70 charges slightly faster (60% in 20 mins vs 81% in 30 mins for the X9), and includes 5W reverse wired charging, a useful feature for topping up accessories.
Buying Guide
The Honor X9 is a good choice for budget-conscious buyers who prioritize a large display and fast charging. The Honor 70 is ideal for users who demand better performance, a vibrant display, and a more capable camera, especially those who value 5G connectivity.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Honor 70 worth the extra money?
Yes, if you prioritize performance, a better display, and a more capable camera. The Snapdragon 778G+ offers a significant upgrade over the X9's chipset.
❓ Does the Honor X9 support 5G?
No, the Honor X9 is a 4G-only device.
❓ How does the Honor 70's charging speed compare to the X9?
While both have 66W charging, the Honor 70 reaches 60% charge in 20 minutes, slightly faster than the X9's 81% in 30 minutes.
