The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Honor X9 and Huawei nova Y90 are two contenders vying for your attention. Both offer a compelling package at an affordable price, but which one comes out on top? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Honor X9 takes the lead thanks to its significantly faster 66W charging compared to the nova Y90's 40W. While both share the same Snapdragon 680 chipset, the Honor X9's charging speed and potentially better software support (depending on region) give it a slight edge for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, March 31 | 2022, June 23 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, April 14 | Available. Released 2022, July 27 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 166.1 x 75.8 x 8.1 mm (6.54 x 2.98 x 0.32 in) | 163.3 x 74.7 x 8.4 mm (6.43 x 2.94 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 189 g (6.67 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~385 ppi density) | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~391 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.81 inches, 112.3 cm2 (~89.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.7 cm2 (~89.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 11, Magic UI 4.2 | EMUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 4GB 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 | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5 | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| 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 | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 66W wired, 81% in 30 min | 40W wired, 50% in 30 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4800 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Titanium Silver, Ocean Blue, Midnight Black | Crystal Blue, Pearl White, Emerald Green, Midnight Black |
| Models | - | CTR-LX2, CTR-LX1, CTR-LX3 |
| Price | About 230 EUR | About 160 EUR |
Honor X9
- Faster 66W Charging
- Potentially better software support
- Likely more versatile camera system
- Good value for money
- May have slightly less refined design compared to Huawei
- Performance is mid-range
Huawei nova Y90
- Sleek Huawei design
- Good image processing capabilities
- Reliable performance for everyday tasks
- Slower 40W charging
- Potential software limitations (Google Services)
- Camera may lack versatility
Display Comparison
Both phones likely feature a similar 6.8-inch LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering a smooth visual experience. However, the Honor X9 might have slightly better color accuracy or brightness based on general model trends. We'll need specific display measurements for a definitive answer.
Camera Comparison
The Honor X9 likely boasts a more versatile camera system, potentially including a higher resolution main sensor and additional lenses like a macro or depth sensor. The Huawei nova Y90 may focus on image processing and AI features. Camera quality will depend on sensor size, software algorithms, and lens quality.
Performance
Powered by the same Snapdragon 680 chipset, expect similar performance in everyday tasks and moderate gaming. Neither phone is a powerhouse, but they should handle most apps and games without significant issues. Real-world performance will also depend on software optimization.
Battery Life
The Honor X9's 66W charging is a major advantage, allowing for significantly faster top-ups. While both phones likely have a similar battery capacity (around 5000mAh), the charging speed makes a noticeable difference in daily usage.
Buying Guide
The Honor X9 is ideal for users who prioritize fast charging and potentially a more up-to-date software experience. The Huawei nova Y90 is a good choice for those who prefer Huawei's design aesthetic and are comfortable with potential software limitations due to geopolitical factors.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Huawei nova Y90 have Google Play Services?
Due to ongoing restrictions, the Huawei nova Y90 may not have Google Play Services pre-installed. Users may need to explore alternative app stores or sideload apps.
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
While both have similar battery capacities, the Honor X9's faster charging means it will recharge much quicker, effectively providing a better overall battery experience.
