Honor X9c Smart vs Google Pixel 7a: A Deep Dive into Value and Performance
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing camera quality and software experience, the Google Pixel 7a is the superior choice. Its Tensor G2 chip, coupled with Google’s image processing, delivers consistently excellent photos and a smooth, refined user experience. However, the Honor X9c Smart offers a compelling alternative for those prioritizing charging speed and a potentially longer-lasting battery at a lower price point.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Honor X9c Smart | Google Pixel 7a |
| 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, 14, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71 - GWKK3, G0DZQ |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GWKK3 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GHL1X, G82U8 | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2024, December 02 | 2023, May 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, December 08 | Available. Released 2023, May 10 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 166 x 75.8 x 7.9 mm (6.54 x 2.98 x 0.31 in) | 152 x 72.9 x 9 mm (5.98 x 2.87 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 193 g (6.81 oz) | 193.5 g (6.84 oz) |
| - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~389 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~429 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 111.3 cm2 (~88.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.1 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD, 120Hz, 850 (HBM) | OLED, HDR, 90Hz |
| - | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 7025 Ultra (6 nm) | Google Tensor G2 (5 nm) |
| GPU | IMG BXM-8-256 | Mali-G710 MP7 |
| OS | Android 14, Magic OS 8 | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| - | UFS 3.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.67", PDAF 5 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) | 64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, OIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 3.2 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity (ultrasound), compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 35W wired 5W reverse wired | 18W wired, PD3.0 7.5W wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 5800 mAh | Li-Po 4385 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Ocean Cyan, Moonlight White | Charcoal, Snow, Sea, Coral |
| Models | - | GWKK3, GHL1X, G0DZQ, G82U8 |
| Price | - | € 179.90 / $ 150.00 / £ 170.00 / ₹ 25,980 |
Honor X9c Smart
- Significantly faster 35W wired charging
- Potentially lower price point
- Reverse wired charging capability
- Less powerful chipset compared to Tensor G2
- Likely inferior camera performance
- Less refined software experience
Google Pixel 7a
- Superior performance with Google Tensor G2
- Exceptional camera quality and image processing
- Smooth and refined software experience with guaranteed updates
- Slower 18W wired charging
- Higher price point
- No reverse wireless charging
Display Comparison
The Pixel 7a boasts a measured peak brightness of 1070 nits, significantly outshining the likely lower peak brightness of the Honor X9c Smart (spec not provided). This translates to better visibility in direct sunlight. While the X9c Smart’s display size isn’t specified, the Pixel 7a’s 6.1-inch panel strikes a good balance between usability and portability. The Pixel 7a’s OLED panel likely offers superior contrast and color accuracy compared to the X9c Smart’s panel type (assumed LCD based on price point).
Camera Comparison
The Pixel 7a’s camera system is its standout feature. While specific sensor details aren’t provided, Google’s computational photography prowess, powered by the Tensor G2, elevates image quality significantly. The Pixel 7a excels in dynamic range, low-light performance, and overall image clarity. The Honor X9c Smart’s camera specifications are not detailed enough to make a direct comparison, but it’s likely to rely more on hardware specifications than software processing. The Pixel 7a’s video capabilities are also expected to be superior, benefiting from the Tensor G2’s image signal processor.
Performance
The Google Pixel 7a’s Tensor G2 (5nm) chipset, featuring a prime Cortex-X1 core clocked at 2.85 GHz, demonstrably outperforms the Honor X9c Smart’s Mediatek Dimensity 7025 Ultra (6nm). The Tensor G2’s architectural advantages, including the X1 core and dedicated machine learning capabilities, result in faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and superior AI-driven features. While the Dimensity 7025 Ultra is a capable chip, its Cortex-A78 cores, clocked at 2.5 GHz, are a generation behind and less efficient than the X1. The 5nm process node of the Tensor G2 also contributes to better thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads.
Battery Life
The Pixel 7a has an endurance rating of 76 hours, indicating excellent battery life despite its 18W charging. The Honor X9c Smart, with its 35W wired charging, offers significantly faster charging speeds – a full charge will take considerably less time. However, the X9c Smart’s battery capacity isn’t specified, so it’s difficult to determine if the faster charging compensates for a potentially smaller battery. The Pixel 7a also supports 7.5W wireless charging, a feature absent on the X9c Smart.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor X9c Smart if you need a phone that charges incredibly quickly (35W) and offers a large display for media consumption, all while staying within a tight budget. Buy the Google Pixel 7a if you prefer a more polished software experience, exceptional camera performance, and benefit from Google’s ongoing software support and feature drops, even if it means sacrificing some charging speed.