Looking for an affordable smartphone with a decent camera and a large display? The Huawei P Smart Z and Honor 9X Lite are both strong contenders in the budget segment. But which one offers the best value for your money? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Honor 9X Lite edges out the P Smart Z thanks to its slightly faster charging. Both phones share the same Kirin 710F chipset and offer similar performance, but the 10W charging on the 9X Lite provides a noticeable convenience boost. Ultimately, the choice depends on your charging priorities.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat12 600/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, May. Released 2019, June | 2020, April 17. Released 2020, May 14 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 163.5 x 77.3 x 8.8 mm (6.44 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) | 160.4 x 76.6 x 7.8 mm (6.31 x 3.02 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 196.8 g (6.95 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~391 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~397 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.59 inches, 106.6 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 103.2 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Kirin 710F (12 nm) | Kirin 710F (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 | Mali-G51 MP4 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, EMUI 12 | Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.1, Google Play Services |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 16 MP, f/1.8, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | Motorized pop-up 16 MP, f/2.0 | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | microUSB 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 3750 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Emerald Green, Midnight Black, Sapphire Blue | Emerald Green, Midnight Black |
| Models | STK-LX1 | JSN-L21, JSN-L22, JSN-L23 |
| Price | About 280 EUR | About 220 EUR |
Huawei P Smart Z
- Sleek Design
- Vibrant Display
- Decent Camera
- Slow Charging (unspecified)
- Performance can be limited with demanding apps
Honor 9X Lite
- Faster 10W Charging
- 48MP Main Camera (potentially better image quality)
- Good Value
- Design less distinctive than P Smart Z
- Performance similar to P Smart Z
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.5-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels. While the specifications are identical, subjective viewing experiences may vary slightly based on panel quality and calibration. Expect vibrant colors and decent viewing angles on both.
Camera Comparison
The Huawei P Smart Z boasts a triple-camera setup (13MP main + 8MP ultrawide + 2MP depth sensor) while the Honor 9X Lite features a triple-camera setup (48MP main + 8MP ultrawide + 2MP depth sensor). The Honor's 48MP main sensor *should* offer slightly better image quality, especially in well-lit conditions, though software processing plays a significant role. Both offer decent ultrawide and depth sensing capabilities.
Performance
Powered by the Kirin 710F chipset, both devices offer adequate performance for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light gaming. Don't expect flagship-level speeds, but they're perfectly capable for the average user. Multitasking is handled reasonably well, though demanding games may require lower graphics settings.
Battery Life
Both phones are equipped with a 4000mAh battery. However, the Honor 9X Lite includes 10W wired charging, while the P Smart Z lacks a specified charging speed (likely 5W). This means the Honor 9X Lite will charge noticeably faster.
Buying Guide
The Huawei P Smart Z is a good choice for users prioritizing a sleek design and a vibrant display. The Honor 9X Lite is ideal for those who value slightly faster charging and a more robust overall package, especially if you can find it at a competitive price.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Kirin 710F a good chipset?
The Kirin 710F is a decent mid-range chipset suitable for everyday tasks and light gaming. It's not a powerhouse, but it provides a smooth experience for most users.
❓ Which phone has better camera quality?
The Honor 9X Lite likely has slightly better camera quality due to its 48MP main sensor, although software processing and lighting conditions play a significant role.
