The Huawei nova 5z and Honor 9X Pro represent a fascinating case study in brand segmentation. Both devices leverage the Kirin 810 chipset, yet cater to slightly different user priorities. This comparison dissects the nuances between these two phones, focusing on where the 20W charging of the nova 5z and the display characteristics of the 9X Pro truly matter.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing convenience, the Huawei nova 5z emerges as the better choice. Its 20W charging significantly reduces downtime compared to the Honor 9X Pro’s slower 10W charging, a practical advantage that outweighs the slightly brighter display of the 9X Pro.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 19, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat12 600/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, October. Released 2019, November | 2019, July 23. Released 2019, August 09 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 156.1 x 73.9 x 8.3 mm (6.15 x 2.91 x 0.33 in) | 163.5 x 77.3 x 8.8 mm (6.44 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 178 g (6.28 oz) | 202 g (7.13 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~412 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~391 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.26 inches, 96.2 cm2 (~83.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.59 inches, 106.6 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x1.88 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x1.88 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Kirin 810 (7 nm) | Kirin 810 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MP6 | Mali-G52 MP6 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.1 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, EMUI 9.1, no Google Play Services |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Nano Memory (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, 120˚ (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | Motorized pop-up 16 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE (International)5.0, A2DP, LE (China) |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 20W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Aurora, Emerald Green | Midnight Black, Phantom Purple |
| Models | SPN-AL00, SPN-TL00 | HLK-AL10, HLK-TL10, HLK-L41, HLK-L42 |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 230 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 104h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1319:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-31.1 LUFS (Below average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 312668 (v8)
GeekBench: 7836 (v4.4), 1911 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 18fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Huawei nova 5z
- Faster 20W charging for quicker top-ups
- Potentially more convenient for on-the-go users
- Brand recognition and established ecosystem
- Display brightness likely lower than the Honor 9X Pro
- Camera specifications are unknown, potentially limiting image quality
Honor 9X Pro
- Brighter display (517 nits) for better outdoor visibility
- Longer battery endurance rating (104 hours)
- Potentially more affordable price point
- Significantly slower 10W charging
- May require longer charging times, impacting usability
Display Comparison
Both the Huawei nova 5z and Honor 9X Pro share a nominal contrast ratio of 1319:1, suggesting similar panel technology. However, the Honor 9X Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 517 nits, offering a more visible experience in direct sunlight. While the nova 5z’s brightness isn’t specified, the 9X Pro’s advantage is noticeable for outdoor users. Neither device’s specifications indicate high refresh rate panels, limiting their appeal to gamers demanding ultra-smooth visuals.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature a 'Photo / Video' camera system, but detailed sensor specifications are lacking. Without knowing megapixel counts, sensor sizes, or aperture values, a direct comparison is difficult. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on both devices is likely a marketing feature with limited practical benefit due to the small sensor size. Image processing algorithms will likely differ between Huawei and Honor, potentially resulting in variations in color science and dynamic range, but this requires hands-on testing to determine.
Performance
At the heart of both devices lies the Kirin 810 (7nm). This octa-core CPU, with its 2x2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x1.88 GHz Cortex-A55 configuration, delivers comparable performance in everyday tasks and moderate gaming. The 7nm process node contributes to reasonable thermal efficiency, though sustained peak loads may still induce throttling. The absence of information regarding RAM type (LPDDR4X is likely) and storage speed (UFS 2.1 is probable) prevents a deeper analysis of performance bottlenecks. The identical chipset configuration means performance differences will be minimal in real-world usage.
Battery Life
The Honor 9X Pro claims an impressive endurance rating of 104 hours, suggesting optimized power management. However, this rating is dependent on usage patterns. The nova 5z, with its 20W wired charging, offers a significant advantage in replenishment speed. While the 9X Pro’s 10W charging will fully charge the battery, it will take considerably longer, impacting usability for users who need quick top-ups. The actual battery capacity of both devices is not specified, making a direct mAh comparison impossible.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei nova 5z if you need faster charging and prioritize minimizing time tethered to a wall outlet. This phone is ideal for users who are constantly on the go. Buy the Honor 9X Pro if you prefer a slightly brighter display and are less concerned about charging speed, potentially benefiting from the 104-hour endurance rating for extended use between charges.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Kirin 810 in either phone struggle with demanding games like PUBG or Genshin Impact?
The Kirin 810 is a capable mid-range chipset, but it's not designed for sustained peak performance in graphically intensive games. Expect playable frame rates at medium settings, but potential for frame drops and throttling during extended gaming sessions. Neither phone's cooling solution is likely to be exceptional.
❓ Is the 104-hour battery endurance rating of the Honor 9X Pro realistic in everyday use?
The 104-hour endurance rating is based on a specific usage model, likely involving minimal data usage and screen-on time. Real-world battery life will vary significantly depending on your usage patterns. Expect considerably less endurance with heavy social media, video streaming, or gaming.
❓ How significant is the difference in charging time between the 20W and 10W charging capabilities?
The difference is substantial. 20W charging will significantly reduce the time to fully charge the Huawei nova 5z, potentially cutting charging time in half compared to the Honor 9X Pro’s 10W charging. This is a key advantage for users who need to quickly replenish their battery.
