The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Honor X9a and Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro are two strong contenders. Both offer compelling features at attractive price points, but which one reigns supreme? This comprehensive comparison will delve into every aspect, from display quality to battery life, to help you make an informed decision.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro emerges as the overall winner thanks to its faster charging, brighter display, and slightly more powerful chipset. However, the Honor X9a offers a compelling alternative with its attractive design and competitive price, making it a solid choice for budget-conscious buyers.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - China |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, January 04 | 2022, October 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, January 06 | Available. Released 2022, November 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 161.6 x 73.9 x 7.9 mm (6.36 x 2.91 x 0.31 in) | 163 x 76 x 8 mm (6.42 x 2.99 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 175 g (6.17 oz) | 187 g (6.60 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 (~86.7% 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 (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 1080 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G68 MC4 |
| OS | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, MagicOS 7 | Android 12, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB 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 | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) | - |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (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, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c), GALILEO (E1), QZSS (L1) |
| 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 (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, 50% in 15 min, 100% in 46 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5100 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Titanium Silver, Emerald Green, Midnight Black | Frosted Blue (Sky Blue), Onyx Black (Midnight Black), Polar White, Stardust Purple |
| Models | RMO-NX1 | 22101316C, 22101316I, 23013RK75C, 22101316G |
| Price | $ 212.08 | € 148.54 / $ 142.17 / £ 149.99 / ₹ 19,999 |
| SAR | - | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.06 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.99 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 97h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-26.6 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 490526 (v9)
GeekBench: 2209 (v5.1), 2372 (v6)
GFXBench: 22fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Honor X9a
- Attractive design
- Competitive price
- Decent display (likely curved)
- 5G connectivity
- Slower charging
- Less powerful chipset
- Likely lower display brightness
- Camera performance potentially less impressive
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro
- Faster charging (67W)
- Brighter and higher contrast display
- More powerful chipset (Dimensity 1080)
- Excellent battery life
- Good camera performance
- Design might be less striking than X9a
- Potentially slightly more expensive
Display Comparison
The Redmi Note 12 Pro boasts a significantly brighter display (890 nits vs. Honor X9a's likely lower brightness, estimated around 400-500 nits based on similar models) and an impressive contrast ratio (Infinite). While the X9a likely has a curved display which some find visually appealing, the Note 12 Pro's superior brightness and contrast offer a better overall viewing experience, especially outdoors.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer capable camera systems, but the Redmi Note 12 Pro likely holds an edge. While specific camera specs are missing for the X9a, the Note 12 Pro's reputation for good image processing and versatile camera setup gives it a slight advantage. Expect better low-light performance and more detailed photos from the Redmi.
Performance
The Redmi Note 12 Pro's Dimensity 1080 chipset generally outperforms the Snapdragon 695 5G. The Cortex-A78 cores in the Dimensity 1080 provide a noticeable boost in CPU performance, resulting in smoother multitasking and faster app loading times. Gaming performance will also be better on the Redmi Note 12 Pro.
Battery Life
The Redmi Note 12 Pro shines in battery life, boasting an impressive endurance rating of 97 hours and a fast 67W charging speed (50% in 15 minutes, 100% in 46 minutes). The Honor X9a's 40W charging is slower, and while its battery life is likely decent, it doesn't match the Note 12 Pro's longevity.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Honor X9a? Users prioritizing aesthetics and a slightly more affordable price point. Who should buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro? Those seeking faster charging, a brighter display, and a more powerful processor for smoother performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro is the better choice for gaming due to its more powerful Dimensity 1080 chipset.
❓ How long does it take to fully charge each phone?
The Redmi Note 12 Pro charges much faster, reaching 100% in approximately 46 minutes with its 67W charger, while the Honor X9a takes longer with its 40W charging.
❓ Which phone has a better display?
The Redmi Note 12 Pro has a brighter and higher contrast display, offering a superior viewing experience.
