Realme X2 Pro vs Huawei Y9 Prime (2019): A Performance and Value Showdown

The Realme X2 Pro and Huawei Y9 Prime (2019) represent distinct approaches to the smartphone market. The X2 Pro aimed to deliver flagship-level performance at a competitive price, while the Y9 Prime focused on providing a solid all-around experience at a more accessible budget. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing performance and future-proofing, the Realme X2 Pro is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 855+ chipset offers significantly faster processing and gaming capabilities. However, the Huawei Y9 Prime remains a viable option for those on a tighter budget who prioritize a large display and basic functionality.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei Y9 Prime (2019) Realme X2 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - China
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat12 600/50 MbpsHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
 -1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - EMEA
Launch
Announced2019, August 01. Released 2019, August 052019, October 15. Released 2019, October
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic backGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions163.5 x 77.3 x 8.9 mm (6.44 x 3.04 x 0.35 in)161 x 75.7 x 8.7 mm (6.34 x 2.98 x 0.34 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight196.8 g (6.95 oz)199 g (7.02 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~391 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density)
Size6.59 inches, 106.6 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 103.5 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDSuper AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 485)
ChipsetKirin 710F (12 nm)Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855+ (7 nm)
GPUMali-G51 MP4Adreno 640 (700 MHz)
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, Magic UI 2.1Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, Realme UI 2.0
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)No
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 eMMC64GB UFS 2.1, 128/256GB UFS 3.0
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad-64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.5, 52mm (telephoto), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens
Triple16 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 13mm (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens-
Video1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
SingleMotorized pop-up 16 MP, f/2.016 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with Dolby Atmos stereo speakers (2 dedicated amplifiers)
 -24-bit/192kHz audio (incl. speakers)
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioFM radioNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging-50W wired, 100% in 35 min
TypeLi-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable4000 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsEmerald Green, Midnight Black, Sapphire BlueLunar White, Neptune Blue, Red Master Edition, Gray Master Edition
ModelsSTK-L21, STK-L22, STK-LX3RMX1931
PriceAbout 220 EURAbout 440 EUR
Tests
Audio quality- Noise -91.3dB / Crosstalk -92.5dB
Battery life- Endurance rating 94h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- Voice 82dB / Noise 75dB / Ring 91dB
Performance- AnTuTu: 396827 (v7), 467653 (v8) GeekBench: 10373 (v4.4) GFXBench: 37fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Huawei Y9 Prime (2019)

  • More affordable price point
  • Large display for media consumption
  • Acceptable performance for basic tasks

  • Significantly weaker processor
  • Slower charging speeds
  • Likely inferior camera performance

Realme X2 Pro

  • Flagship-level Snapdragon 855+ processor
  • 50W SuperVOOC fast charging
  • Likely superior camera system
  • Potentially better display quality (AMOLED)

  • Higher price tag
  • May be harder to find new due to age

Display Comparison

Both devices feature displays with an 'Infinite' contrast ratio, suggesting deep blacks, but lack specific details on panel type (likely IPS LCD for the Y9 Prime, AMOLED for the X2 Pro based on brand trends). The Realme X2 Pro’s likely AMOLED panel will offer superior color vibrancy and potentially better power efficiency. While both lack detailed display specs, the X2 Pro’s positioning as a higher-end device suggests a higher peak brightness and potentially a higher refresh rate, enhancing the viewing experience, especially for gaming and video playback.

Camera Comparison

Both phones are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but lack specific details. Given the X2 Pro’s flagship aspirations, it likely features a more sophisticated camera system with a larger sensor and potentially optical image stabilization (OIS). The Y9 Prime likely relies on software processing to enhance image quality. While the Y9 Prime may offer a usable camera for casual snapshots, the X2 Pro will excel in low-light conditions and provide more detailed and dynamic images. The absence of sensor size information makes a precise comparison difficult, but the X2 Pro’s overall hardware advantage suggests a superior camera experience.

Performance

The performance gap is substantial. The Realme X2 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 855+ (7nm) is a flagship-tier chipset, boasting an octa-core configuration with a prime Kryo 485 core clocked at 2.96 GHz. This contrasts sharply with the Huawei Y9 Prime’s Kirin 710F (12nm), which, while capable for daily tasks, is significantly less powerful. The 7nm process node of the Snapdragon 855+ provides superior power efficiency and thermal management, allowing for sustained peak performance during demanding tasks like gaming. The X2 Pro will deliver a noticeably smoother and more responsive experience, particularly when multitasking or running graphically intensive applications.

Battery Life

Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 94 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage scenarios. However, the Realme X2 Pro’s standout feature is its 50W SuperVOOC wired charging, capable of charging the battery to 100% in just 35 minutes. The Y9 Prime’s charging speed is likely significantly slower. This rapid charging capability provides a significant convenience factor for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly. While both offer similar endurance, the X2 Pro’s charging speed is a major advantage.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei Y9 Prime (2019) if you need a large-screen phone for media consumption and light tasks, and your budget is a primary concern. You'll benefit from its spacious display and acceptable performance for everyday use. Buy the Realme X2 Pro if you prioritize smooth multitasking, demanding gaming, and fast charging, and are willing to spend a bit more for a significantly more powerful experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Kirin 710F sufficient for playing modern mobile games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
While the Kirin 710F can run these games, you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a smooth frame rate. Expect occasional stuttering and longer loading times compared to the Snapdragon 855+ in the Realme X2 Pro, which can handle these games at higher settings with ease.
❓ Does the Realme X2 Pro support 90Hz or 120Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling and gaming?
While not explicitly stated in the provided specs, the Realme X2 Pro is known to support a 90Hz refresh rate. This contributes to a noticeably smoother visual experience when scrolling through content and playing compatible games, a feature the Huawei Y9 Prime likely lacks.
❓ How does the 50W charging on the Realme X2 Pro compare to standard fast charging?
50W SuperVOOC charging is significantly faster than typical fast charging solutions. It can charge the Realme X2 Pro from 0% to 100% in approximately 35 minutes, whereas standard fast charging often takes over an hour. This is a major convenience factor for users who need a quick power boost.