Huawei's mid-range lineup often presents tough choices. The P Smart Z and Y9 Prime (2019) both offer compelling features, but cater to slightly different needs. This comprehensive comparison will break down their strengths and weaknesses to help you pick the perfect phone.
🏆 Quick Verdict
Both phones share the same Kirin 710F chipset, resulting in similar performance. The Y9 Prime (2019) generally edges out the P Smart Z due to its larger display, pop-up camera, and slightly better battery life, making it a more well-rounded option for most users.
| 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 | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat12 600/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat12 600/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, May. Released 2019, June | 2019, August 01. Released 2019, August 05 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 163.5 x 77.3 x 8.8 mm (6.44 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) | 163.5 x 77.3 x 8.9 mm (6.44 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 196.8 g (6.95 oz) | 196.8 g (6.95 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~391 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~391 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.59 inches, 106.6 cm2 (~84.3% 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 (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), upgradable to Android 10, Magic UI 2.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 16 MP, f/1.8, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | - | 16 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, 13mm (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | Motorized pop-up 16 MP, f/2.0 | Motorized pop-up 16 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| 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 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, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Emerald Green, Midnight Black, Sapphire Blue | Emerald Green, Midnight Black, Sapphire Blue |
| Models | STK-LX1 | STK-L21, STK-L22, STK-LX3 |
| Price | About 280 EUR | About 220 EUR |
Huawei P Smart Z
- Compact and lightweight design
- Affordable price
- Pop-up camera design
- Slightly weaker camera performance
- Shorter battery life
- Slower charging
Huawei Y9 Prime (2019)
- Larger display for immersive viewing
- Better camera system
- Longer battery life
- Modern pop-up camera
- Slightly larger and heavier
- 10W charging is slow
Display Comparison
The Y9 Prime (2019) boasts a larger 6.59-inch display compared to the P Smart Z's 6.5-inch screen. While the resolution is the same (1080 x 2340 pixels), the slightly larger size of the Y9 Prime provides a more immersive viewing experience. Both use IPS LCD panels, offering decent color accuracy and viewing angles.
Camera Comparison
The Y9 Prime (2019) features a triple rear camera setup (16MP main + 8MP ultrawide + 2MP depth sensor) and a 16MP pop-up front camera. The P Smart Z has a dual rear camera (13MP main + 2MP depth sensor) and a 8MP pop-up front camera. The Y9 Prime generally captures better images, especially in low light, thanks to its more versatile camera system and larger front camera.
Performance
Performance is remarkably similar. Both devices utilize the Kirin 710F chipset and 4GB/6GB of RAM. Expect smooth everyday usage, capable multitasking, and decent gaming performance at medium settings. Don't expect flagship-level speeds, but they're perfectly adequate for most users.
Battery Life
The Y9 Prime (2019) has a larger 4000mAh battery compared to the P Smart Z's 3900mAh battery. This translates to slightly longer battery life, typically lasting a full day with moderate usage. Both support 10W charging, which is relatively slow by today's standards.
Buying Guide
The Huawei P Smart Z is a good choice for those prioritizing a compact design and a slightly more affordable price point. The Huawei Y9 Prime (2019) is ideal for users who want a larger screen for media consumption, a modern pop-up camera design, and a longer-lasting battery.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Kirin 710F a good chipset?
The Kirin 710F is a decent mid-range chipset that provides smooth performance for everyday tasks and moderate gaming. It's not a powerhouse, but it's perfectly adequate for the target audience of these phones.
❓ Which phone has better low-light camera performance?
The Huawei Y9 Prime (2019) generally performs better in low-light conditions due to its larger front camera and more versatile rear camera setup.
❓ Are these phones still receiving software updates?
Software update support for these older Huawei phones is limited due to US sanctions. While they may have received some updates, don't expect consistent or long-term support.
