The Huawei nova 10 Youth and Honor X9a occupy a similar price bracket, targeting budget-conscious consumers. However, they diverge in key areas – the nova 10 Youth prioritizes incredibly fast 66W charging, while the X9a boasts 5G connectivity with the Snapdragon 695. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which phone best suits your priorities.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Honor X9a emerges as the stronger choice. The Snapdragon 695 offers a noticeable performance uplift and future-proofs with 5G, outweighing the nova 10 Youth’s faster charging. While 66W is impressive, the X9a’s efficiency and connectivity provide a more well-rounded experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | LTE |
| 5G bands | - | SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1x | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, March 04 | 2023, January 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, March 04 | Available. Released 2023, January 06 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.6 x 75.6 x 7.9 mm (6.48 x 2.98 x 0.31 in) | 161.6 x 73.9 x 7.9 mm (6.36 x 2.91 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 191 g (6.74 oz) | 175 g (6.17 oz) |
| | Splash and dust resistant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~387 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.78 inches, 111.4 cm2 (~89.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~89.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680G 4G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | HarmonyOS 2.0 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, MagicOS 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 108 MP, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) |
| Triple | 108 MP, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, (ultrawide)
2 MP, (macro)
2 MP, (depth) | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, 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 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 66W wired, 60% in 15 min, 100% in 35 min
5W reverse wired | 40W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 5100 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Titanium Silver, Emerald Green, Midnight Black |
| Models | JLN-AL00 | RMO-NX1 |
| Price | About 230 EUR | $ 212.08 |
Huawei nova 10 Youth
- Incredibly fast 66W charging
- Potentially lower price point
- Slightly higher CPU clock speed (on paper)
- Lacks 5G connectivity
- Less powerful processor overall
- Potentially lower image processing quality
Honor X9a
- 5G connectivity for future-proofing
- More powerful Snapdragon 695 processor
- More efficient processor for longer battery life
- Slower 40W charging
- Potentially higher price
- May require more frequent charging
Display Comparison
Neither Huawei nor Honor specified display details beyond size in their marketing materials. Assuming both utilize IPS LCD panels common in this price range, the display experience will likely be similar. However, the X9a’s 5G modem requires more power, potentially impacting screen-on time. Both will likely target FHD+ resolution, but color accuracy and peak brightness remain unknown without independent testing.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed sensor information, a direct camera comparison is difficult. Both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup with a primary sensor, ultrawide, and potentially a macro lens. However, the image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 695 of the X9a is more advanced, potentially leading to better image processing, especially in low-light conditions. The nova 10 Youth’s ISP is adequate for basic photography, but will likely struggle with dynamic range and noise reduction compared to the X9a. We anticipate both phones will offer similar video recording capabilities, likely capped at 1080p/30fps.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Honor X9a’s Snapdragon 695 (6nm) represents a clear upgrade over the nova 10 Youth’s Snapdragon 680G (6nm). The 695 features Kryo 660 Gold cores clocked at 2.2 GHz, offering a performance advantage in CPU-intensive tasks compared to the nova 10 Youth’s 2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 cores. While the clock speed is higher on the 680G, the architectural improvements in the 695’s cores translate to better real-world responsiveness. The 695 also includes an integrated 5G modem, a feature absent in the nova 10 Youth. This impacts download speeds and network compatibility. Both phones likely utilize LPDDR4X RAM, limiting memory bandwidth.
Battery Life
The Huawei nova 10 Youth’s 66W charging is its standout feature, promising a 60% charge in 15 minutes and a full charge in 35 minutes. The Honor X9a’s 40W charging is significantly slower. However, the Snapdragon 695 in the X9a is generally more power-efficient than the Snapdragon 680G. This means the X9a may offset the slower charging with longer battery life. While the nova 10 Youth excels at rapid top-ups, the X9a offers a more balanced approach between charging speed and overall endurance.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei nova 10 Youth if you absolutely prioritize the fastest possible charging speeds and primarily use your phone for basic tasks like social media and calls. You’ll benefit from topping up quickly, even if you sacrifice 5G. Buy the Honor X9a if you value future-proofing with 5G, smoother multitasking, and a more capable processor for light gaming and demanding apps. The X9a is the better all-rounder for users who want a phone that will last.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Honor X9a’s 5G connectivity actually make a difference in my daily use?
The benefit of 5G depends on your location and carrier coverage. If you live in an area with robust 5G infrastructure, you’ll experience significantly faster download and upload speeds, especially for streaming and online gaming. Even without immediate 5G access, the X9a is future-proofed for when 5G becomes more widespread.
❓ How much faster is the 66W charging on the nova 10 Youth compared to the 40W on the X9a in real-world scenarios?
The 66W charging on the nova 10 Youth can add approximately 60% charge in 15 minutes, while the 40W on the X9a will take considerably longer – likely around 30-45 minutes to reach the same level. This difference is most noticeable when you need a quick top-up before leaving the house.
❓ Is the Snapdragon 695 in the Honor X9a capable of handling demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 695 can run PUBG Mobile, but you’ll likely need to lower the graphics settings to medium or low to maintain a stable frame rate. It’s not a gaming powerhouse, but it’s capable of providing a playable experience for casual gamers.
❓ Does either phone have a headphone jack?
Neither Huawei nor Honor explicitly state the presence of a headphone jack in their marketing materials for these models. Based on current trends in this price range, it's likely that both phones lack a 3.5mm headphone jack, requiring the use of USB-C headphones or a wireless connection.
