The Huawei nova Y91 and Honor X9a represent compelling options in the crowded mid-range smartphone market. Both leverage Qualcomm's Snapdragon series, but diverge in chipset choice and charging capabilities. This comparison dissects these differences, focusing on how they impact real-world performance and user experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Honor X9a emerges as the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 695 5G chipset provides a noticeable performance uplift and future-proofs connectivity, while the 40W charging significantly reduces downtime. The nova Y91 remains a viable option for those prioritizing a lower price point and aren't heavily reliant on 5G or demanding tasks.
| 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, 7, 8, 13, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 | LTE |
| 5G bands | - | SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, May 23 | 2023, January 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, June 10 | Available. Released 2023, January 06 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 171.6 x 79.9 x 8.9 mm (6.76 x 3.15 x 0.35 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 + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 214 g (7.55 oz) | 175 g (6.17 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2376 pixels (~376 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.95 inches, 117.4 cm2 (~85.6% 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 680 4G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | EMUI 13, no Google Play Services | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, MagicOS 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Unspecified | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 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 |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | 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 | 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, gyro, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 22.5W wired | 40W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 7000 mAh | Li-Po 5100 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Starry Black, Moonlight Silver | Titanium Silver, Emerald Green, Midnight Black |
| Models | STG-LX1, STG-LX2 | RMO-NX1 |
| Price | About 280 EUR | $ 212.08 |
Huawei nova Y91
- More affordable price point
- Reliable Snapdragon 680 chipset for basic tasks
- Clean and simple user experience (likely)
- Lacks 5G connectivity
- Slower 22.5W charging
- Less powerful CPU and GPU
Honor X9a
- Faster Snapdragon 695 5G chipset
- 40W fast charging for quicker top-ups
- 5G connectivity for future-proofing
- Higher price compared to the nova Y91
- Potentially more software bloat (Honor's history)
- May experience slightly more heat under sustained load
Display Comparison
Neither Huawei nor Honor specified display details beyond size in their marketing materials. However, given the price points, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels. The key difference lies in the processing power available to drive the display; the Snapdragon 695 in the X9a has a more capable ISP and GPU, potentially leading to slightly better color reproduction and responsiveness. Without detailed specs like peak brightness or color gamut coverage, it's difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the X9a's superior chipset suggests a marginal advantage.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera sensor information, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the Snapdragon 695’s superior image signal processor (ISP) in the X9a provides a significant advantage in image processing. This means better dynamic range, noise reduction, and overall image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. While both phones likely feature similar secondary cameras (depth, macro), the primary sensor's performance is heavily influenced by the ISP, giving the X9a the edge. The 695's ability to handle more complex computational photography algorithms will also result in better portrait mode effects and HDR processing.
Performance
The core distinction here is the chipset. The Honor X9a’s Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm) boasts a more modern CPU architecture – 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver – compared to the nova Y91’s Snapdragon 680 (6nm) with its 4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53 configuration. While both are 6nm, the Kryo cores in the 695 offer improved single-core and multi-core performance. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user interface on the X9a. The 695 also includes an integrated 5G modem, a feature absent in the Y91. Gamers will find the Adreno 619 GPU in the X9a provides a better experience than the Adreno 610 in the Y91, allowing for higher frame rates and more detailed graphics.
Battery Life
Both phones likely feature similar battery capacities, but the Honor X9a’s 40W wired charging is a game-changer. The Huawei nova Y91 is limited to 22.5W charging. This difference translates to significantly faster charging times for the X9a – potentially reducing a full charge from over two hours on the Y91 to under an hour on the X9a. While battery life will depend on usage patterns, the faster charging speed mitigates any potential capacity differences, making the X9a more convenient for users who frequently need to top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei nova Y91 if you need a reliable, affordable smartphone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and social media, and 5G connectivity isn't a priority. Buy the Honor X9a if you prefer a smoother experience with more demanding apps, faster charging, and the benefits of 5G, even if it means a slightly higher investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 695 in the Honor X9a handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
Yes, the Snapdragon 695, paired with the Adreno 619 GPU, is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium to high settings with stable frame rates. While it won't deliver a flagship-level gaming experience, it provides a significantly better experience than the Snapdragon 680 in the nova Y91, especially for sustained gaming sessions.
❓ How much faster is the 40W charging on the Honor X9a compared to the 22.5W charging on the Huawei nova Y91?
Expect a substantial difference. The Honor X9a can likely charge from 0-100% in under an hour, while the Huawei nova Y91 will likely take over two hours. This means you can quickly top up the X9a during short breaks, whereas the Y91 requires a longer charging period.
❓ Does the lack of 5G on the Huawei nova Y91 significantly impact its usability in 2024?
It depends on your location and carrier. If 5G coverage is widespread in your area and you have a 5G data plan, the lack of 5G on the nova Y91 will limit your download and upload speeds. However, if 5G isn't readily available, the difference may be negligible.
❓ Is the image processing on the Honor X9a noticeably better than the Huawei nova Y91 in low-light conditions?
Yes, the Snapdragon 695's ISP excels in low-light image processing. Expect less noise, better detail retention, and improved dynamic range in photos taken with the Honor X9a compared to the Huawei nova Y91, particularly in challenging lighting scenarios.
