The Huawei Y9s and Realme X2 Pro represent distinct approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The Y9s aims for affordability, while the X2 Pro, released at a higher price point, targeted a near-flagship experience. With the X2 Pro's price now falling, a direct comparison is more relevant than ever, focusing on where each phone excels and who benefits most from its strengths.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and future-proofing, the Realme X2 Pro is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 855+ chipset and 50W SuperVOOC charging offer a dramatically superior experience. However, the Huawei Y9s remains a viable option for budget-conscious users who prioritize basic functionality over raw power.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - China |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / 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 |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, November 08. Released 2019, November 08 | 2019, October 15. Released 2019, October |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 163.1 x 77.2 x 8.8 mm (6.42 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-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 206 g (7.27 oz) | 199 g (7.02 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~391 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.59 inches, 106.6 cm2 (~84.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 103.5 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-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) |
| Chipset | Kirin 710F (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855+ (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 | Adreno 640 (700 MHz) |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.1 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | 64GB UFS 2.1, 128/256GB UFS 3.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-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 |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, 13mm (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | Motorized pop-up 16 MP, f/2.2 | 16 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@60fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with Dolby Atmos stereo speakers (2 dedicated amplifiers) |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio (incl. speakers) |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 50W wired, 100% in 35 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Black, Breathing Crystal, Phantom Purple | Lunar White, Neptune Blue, Red Master Edition, Gray Master Edition |
| Models | STK-L21, STK-LX3, STK-L22 | RMX1931 |
| Price | About 220 EUR | About 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 Y9s
- More affordable price point
- Potentially longer battery life due to efficient chipset (though unconfirmed)
- Simpler user experience for basic tasks
- Significantly slower performance
- Slow 10W charging
- Outdated chipset architecture
Realme X2 Pro
- Flagship-level Snapdragon 855+ performance
- Ultra-fast 50W SuperVOOC charging
- Superior gaming capabilities
- Higher initial cost (though decreasing)
- Potentially more heat generation under heavy load
- May have more features than some users need
Display Comparison
Both devices share a nominal 'infinite' contrast ratio, suggesting both utilize AMOLED or similar high-contrast panels. However, detailed display specifications like peak brightness and color gamut coverage are missing for the Y9s. The X2 Pro, while lacking specifics, benefits from the processing power of the Snapdragon 855+ to potentially deliver more vibrant and accurate colors. The absence of high refresh rate support on either device is notable, placing them behind more modern offerings.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are lacking for the Y9s. The X2 Pro, while details are missing, likely benefits from the Snapdragon 855+'s superior image signal processor (ISP) for faster processing and better image quality. The absence of information regarding sensor size and optical image stabilization (OIS) makes a precise comparison impossible, but the X2 Pro’s higher processing power gives it an inherent advantage in computational photography.
Performance
The performance gap is substantial. The Realme X2 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 855+ (7nm) is a flagship-level chipset, featuring an octa-core configuration with a prime Kryo 485 core clocked at 2.96 GHz. This contrasts sharply with the Huawei Y9s’ Kirin 710F (12nm). The 7nm process node of the Snapdragon 855+ offers significantly improved power efficiency and thermal performance, translating to sustained performance during demanding tasks. The Y9s’ Cortex-A73 cores, while capable, are simply outmatched by the Kryo 485 architecture. This difference will be most noticeable in gaming and multitasking.
Battery Life
Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 94 hours, suggesting comparable real-world battery life despite the Y9s’ unspecified battery capacity. However, the charging experience is drastically different. The Realme X2 Pro’s 50W SuperVOOC charging can replenish the battery to 100% in just 35 minutes, a significant advantage over the Y9s’ slow 10W wired charging. This rapid charging capability is a major convenience factor for users who frequently need to top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei Y9s if you need a functional smartphone for everyday tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and your budget is extremely limited. You'll appreciate its simplicity and lower price. Buy the Realme X2 Pro if you prioritize gaming, demanding apps, fast charging, and a smoother overall user experience. The X2 Pro is the better choice for power users and those who want a phone that will remain responsive for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Realme X2 Pro still a good phone in 2024, considering its age?
Despite being released in 2019, the X2 Pro remains a capable device, particularly for users who prioritize performance. The Snapdragon 855+ is still powerful enough for most tasks, and the 50W charging is still incredibly fast. However, it will likely receive fewer software updates compared to newer phones.
❓ Will the Kirin 710F in the Huawei Y9s struggle with modern apps and games?
Yes, the Kirin 710F is a mid-range chipset that will likely struggle with demanding apps and games. Expect lower frame rates, longer loading times, and potential stuttering. It's best suited for basic tasks like browsing, social media, and light communication.
❓ Does the Realme X2 Pro overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 855+ can generate heat under sustained load. While the X2 Pro has thermal management features, prolonged gaming at maximum settings may lead to some throttling to prevent overheating. However, it's generally well-managed and won't cause significant performance drops.
