The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Honor X9a and Xiaomi Poco X5 Pro are two strong contenders vying for your attention. Both offer compelling features at attractive price points, but which one truly delivers the best overall experience? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Poco X5 Pro emerges as the winner thanks to its significantly faster Snapdragon 778G chipset, faster charging (67W vs 40W), and brighter display. While the X9a boasts a curved display, the Poco X5 Pro's performance and charging advantages make it the more well-rounded choice 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 - International |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 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 |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 78 SA/NSA - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, January 04 | 2023, February 06 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, January 06 | Available. Released 2023, February 07 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 161.6 x 73.9 x 7.9 mm (6.36 x 2.91 x 0.31 in) | 162.9 x 76 x 7.9 mm (6.41 x 2.99 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 175 g (6.17 oz) | 181 g (6.38 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~89.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 900 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 642L |
| OS | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, MagicOS 7 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, MIUI 14 for POCO |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) | - |
| Triple | - | 108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.2 (Intl), 5.1 (India), A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| 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 DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band - India |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 40W wired | 67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 45 min
5W reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5100 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Titanium Silver, Emerald Green, Midnight Black | Astral Black, Horizon Blue, Poco Yellow |
| Models | RMO-NX1 | 22101320G, 22101320I |
| Price | $ 212.08 | € 156.00 / $ 221.33 / ₹ 22,490 |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 113h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-24.9 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 531398 (v9)
GeekBench: 2930 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 28fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Honor X9a
- Visually appealing curved display
- Good battery life (113h endurance)
- Stylish design
- Less powerful chipset
- Slower charging (40W)
- Potentially lower camera performance
Xiaomi Poco X5 Pro
- Faster Snapdragon 778G chipset
- Faster 67W charging
- Brighter display (912 nits)
- Reverse wired charging
- Less visually striking design (flat display)
- Potentially less premium feel
Display Comparison
The Poco X5 Pro takes the display crown with a measured peak brightness of 912 nits, offering significantly better visibility in bright sunlight. While the Honor X9a features a curved AMOLED display which is visually appealing, the Poco X5 Pro's higher brightness and potentially better color accuracy provide a superior viewing experience. The Poco X5 Pro also boasts an 'infinite' contrast ratio (nominal), suggesting excellent blacks and vibrant colors.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer capable camera systems, the Poco X5 Pro likely holds an edge due to the superior image processing capabilities of the Snapdragon 778G. Details on specific camera specs are limited, but generally, the higher-tier chipset often results in better image quality, especially in challenging lighting conditions. Both offer Photo/Video capabilities.
Performance
The Poco X5 Pro's Snapdragon 778G 5G chipset is noticeably more powerful than the Honor X9a's Snapdragon 695 5G. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a better gaming experience. The Poco X5 Pro's CPU architecture (with Cortex-A78 cores) is also more advanced, further contributing to its performance advantage.
Battery Life
Both phones boast an impressive endurance rating of 113 hours, suggesting excellent battery life. However, the Poco X5 Pro's 67W fast charging significantly reduces charging times compared to the Honor X9a's 40W charging. The Poco X5 Pro can charge 100% in approximately 45 minutes, while the X9a will take longer.
Buying Guide
The Honor X9a is a good choice for users prioritizing a visually appealing curved display and a focus on aesthetics. The Poco X5 Pro is ideal for those who value performance, fast charging, and a brighter, more vibrant display for media consumption and gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Xiaomi Poco X5 Pro is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful Snapdragon 778G chipset.
❓ Does the Honor X9a have a better camera?
While both have Photo/Video capabilities, the Poco X5 Pro likely has better camera performance due to its more advanced chipset.
❓ How long does it take to fully charge each phone?
The Poco X5 Pro charges to 100% in approximately 45 minutes with its 67W charger, while the Honor X9a takes longer with its 40W charger.
