Huawei offers a range of smartphones catering to different budgets and needs. Today, we're pitting two of their older models against each other: the larger, more powerful P8max and the more compact, budget-friendly P9 Lite Mini. Let's see which one comes out on top.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Huawei P8max offers significantly better performance thanks to its octa-core processor and more RAM. However, the P9 Lite Mini is likely more affordable and potentially offers better software support. For power users, the P8max wins; for budget-conscious buyers, the P9 Lite Mini is a strong contender.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, April. Released 2015, July | 2017, August. Released 2017, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 182.7 x 93 x 6.8 mm (7.19 x 3.66 x 0.27 in) | 143.5 x 71 x 8.1 mm (5.65 x 2.80 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Micro-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 228 g (8.04 oz) | 145 g (5.11 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~326 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 125.9 cm2 (~74.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~67.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Kirin 935 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8917 Snapdragon 425 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T628 MP4 | Adreno 308 |
| OS | Android 5.0.2/5.1.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6.0 (Marshmallow), EMUI | Android 7.0 (Nougat), EMUI 5.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, AF, OIS | 13 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio
| - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | v4.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, DLNA, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Po 4360 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3020 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Luxurious Gold, Mystic Champagne, Titanium Grey | Silver, black, gold |
| Models | DAV-701L, P8max | SLA-L02, SLA-L22, SLA-L03, SLA-L23 |
| Price | About 400 EUR | About 150 EUR |
Huawei P8max
- Large, immersive display
- Powerful octa-core processor
- Longer battery life
- More RAM (likely)
- Potentially better camera
- Older device - potential software support issues
- Larger size - less pocketable
- May be harder to find new
Huawei P9 lite mini
- More affordable
- Compact and pocketable
- Likely better software support (being newer)
- Decent everyday performance
- Less powerful processor
- Shorter battery life
- Smaller display
- Potentially lower camera quality
Display Comparison
The P8max boasts a massive 6.8-inch display, offering a truly immersive viewing experience. The P9 Lite Mini has a smaller 5.0-inch display, making it more pocketable but less ideal for media consumption. Resolution is likely similar, but the P8max's size gives it an edge.
Camera Comparison
While both phones have decent cameras, the P8max likely has a slight advantage in image quality due to its potentially better sensors and image processing capabilities. The P9 Lite Mini's camera is still capable of capturing good photos in well-lit conditions. Specific megapixel counts are needed for a more precise comparison.
Performance
Here's where the P8max truly shines. Its Kirin 935 chipset with an octa-core processor provides significantly more processing power than the P9 Lite Mini's Snapdragon 425 quad-core. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming performance on the P8max.
Battery Life
The P8max's larger size allows for a larger battery (likely around 4360 mAh), providing longer battery life than the P9 Lite Mini's smaller battery (around 2500 mAh). Expect the P8max to easily last a full day, while the P9 Lite Mini might require a midday charge with heavy use.
Buying Guide
The Huawei P8max is ideal for users who prioritize performance, enjoy larger screens, and don't mind an older device. The Huawei P9 Lite Mini is a good choice for those on a tight budget, seeking a compact phone, and needing reliable everyday functionality.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Huawei P8max still worth buying?
If you prioritize performance and a large screen and can find one in good condition, the P8max can still be a decent option. However, be aware of potential software support limitations.
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Huawei P8max is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful processor and more RAM.
❓ What is the difference in size between the two phones?
The P8max is considerably larger, with a 6.8-inch display, while the P9 Lite Mini has a 5.0-inch display. This makes the P8max less pocketable.
