Released in 2019, the Huawei Y9 Prime and Motorola One Action represent competing strategies in the mid-range smartphone market. Both aimed to deliver a compelling experience without breaking the bank, but they took different approaches to chipset selection and feature prioritization. This comparison dissects their key specifications to determine which device offers the best value today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and a slightly brighter display, the Motorola One Action emerges as the better choice. Its Exynos 9609, built on a 10nm process, offers a marginal efficiency advantage over the Huawei Y9 Prime’s 12nm Kirin 710F, despite similar CPU core configurations. Both boast excellent battery life, but the One Action’s display is measurably brighter.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 |
| 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 / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 25, 26, 38, 41, 66 - USA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, August 01. Released 2019, August 05 | 2019, August 16. Released 2019, October 31 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 163.5 x 77.3 x 8.9 mm (6.44 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) | 160.1 x 71.2 x 9.2 mm (6.30 x 2.80 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 196.8 g (6.95 oz) | 176 g (6.21 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~391 ppi density) | 1080 x 2520 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~432 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.59 inches, 106.6 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 94.0 cm2 (~82.5% 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 & 4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Kirin 710F (12 nm) | Exynos 9609 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, Magic UI 2.1 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, Android One |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 16 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, 13mm (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | 12 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.25µm, PDAF
16 MP, f/2.2, 14mm (ultrawide), dedicated video camera (1080p)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps (gyro-EIS) |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | Motorized pop-up 16 MP, f/2.0 | 12 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.25µm |
| 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, EDR |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | 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 |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 3500 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Emerald Green, Midnight Black, Sapphire Blue | Denim Blue, Pearl White, Aqua Teal |
| Models | STK-L21, STK-L22, STK-LX3 | XT2013-1, XT2013-2, XT2013-4 |
| Price | About 220 EUR | About 160 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.16 W/kg (head) 1.43 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.4dB / Crosstalk -93.7dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 66h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1237:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 67dB / Noise 71dB / Ring 84dB
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 148748 (v7)
GeekBench: 5271 (v4.4) |
Huawei Y9 Prime (2019)
- Potentially lower price point
- Good battery life (66h endurance)
- Large display (size unspecified)
- Less efficient 12nm Kirin 710F chipset
- Display brightness likely lower than Motorola One Action
- Charging speed unspecified, likely slow
Motorola One Action
- More efficient 10nm Exynos 9609 chipset
- Brighter display (459 nits, 1237:1 contrast)
- Clean Android experience (likely)
- Slower 10W charging
- Potentially higher price
- Camera details lacking
Display Comparison
The Motorola One Action features a display with a measured peak brightness of 459 nits and a 1237:1 contrast ratio. While the Huawei Y9 Prime’s display specifications are not provided, the One Action’s brightness advantage is significant for outdoor visibility. The contrast ratio suggests a standard IPS panel on the Motorola, offering good color reproduction but lacking the dynamic range of OLED displays. The lack of refresh rate information for both suggests standard 60Hz panels, common for this price bracket in 2019.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are described as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, lacking specific details. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details, a direct comparison is difficult. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is unlikely to significantly impact image quality, serving primarily as a marketing feature. The real differentiator would be the main sensor’s resolution and the quality of the image signal processor (ISP) within each chipset, information not provided.
Performance
Both the Huawei Y9 Prime and Motorola One Action utilize an octa-core CPU configuration with 4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 cores and 4x1.7/1.6 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. However, the Motorola One Action’s Exynos 9609 is fabricated on a 10nm process, while the Huawei Y9 Prime’s Kirin 710F uses a 12nm process. This smaller node size generally translates to improved power efficiency and potentially lower thermal throttling under sustained load. While CPU performance will be similar for everyday tasks, the Exynos 9609 may maintain higher clock speeds for longer during gaming or video editing.
Battery Life
Both the Huawei Y9 Prime (2019) and Motorola One Action achieve an endurance rating of 66 hours, indicating comparable battery life. However, the Motorola One Action utilizes 10W wired charging, which is relatively slow by modern standards. The Huawei Y9 Prime’s charging speed is unspecified, but given its chipset and market positioning, it’s unlikely to be significantly faster. The efficiency gains from the Exynos 9609’s 10nm process may contribute to the similar endurance rating despite potentially a smaller battery capacity on the Motorola One Action.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei Y9 Prime (2019) if you prioritize a potentially lower price point and are comfortable with the limitations of the Kirin 710F chipset for demanding tasks. Buy the Motorola One Action if you prefer a slightly more efficient processor, a brighter display with a 1237:1 contrast ratio, and a cleaner Android experience, even if it means potentially paying a small premium.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 9609 in the Motorola One Action tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Exynos 9609 isn't a flagship processor, its 10nm fabrication process helps mitigate thermal throttling. Reports from 2019 suggest it handles moderate gaming loads well, but extended, graphically intensive sessions may lead to some performance reduction. The Huawei Y9 Prime’s 12nm Kirin 710F is more likely to throttle under similar conditions.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone worth using for close-up shots?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras on phones in this price range offer limited image quality. They often lack detail and suffer from poor dynamic range. While they can be fun for experimentation, don't expect professional-level macro photography from either the Huawei Y9 Prime or the Motorola One Action.
❓ Can the Motorola One Action reliably run PUBG Mobile at 60fps?
The Motorola One Action should be able to run PUBG Mobile at 60fps on medium settings. However, achieving a consistently smooth frame rate will depend on the specific device configuration and background processes. The Exynos 9609’s GPU is capable, but it’s not a high-end gaming chip.
