The Infinix S5 Pro and Honor 9X Pro represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, they take distinctly different approaches to achieving this. The S5 Pro focuses on affordability with a Mediatek Helio P35, while the 9X Pro leverages Huawei’s Kirin 810 chipset for a performance boost. This comparison will dissect their key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and future-proofing, the Honor 9X Pro is the clear winner. Its Kirin 810 chipset offers a significant leap in processing power over the Infinix S5 Pro’s Helio P35. However, if absolute budget is the primary concern, the S5 Pro remains a viable, albeit less capable, option.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28 | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat12 600/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, March 06. Released 2020, April | 2019, July 23. Released 2019, August 09 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 162.5 x 76.9 x 9 mm (6.40 x 3.03 x 0.35 in) | 163.5 x 77.3 x 8.8 mm (6.44 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 195 g (6.88 oz) | 202 g (7.13 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~391 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~83.8% 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 (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x1.88 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Kirin 810 (7 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G52 MP6 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, EMUI 9.1, no Google Play Services |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 16 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lenses | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, 120˚ (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | Motorized pop-up 32 MP, (wide) | Motorized pop-up 16 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE (International)5.0, A2DP, LE (China) |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | 4000 mAh | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Nebula Black, Quetzal Cyan, Violet | Midnight Black, Phantom Purple |
| Models | X660 | HLK-AL10, HLK-TL10, HLK-L41, HLK-L42 |
| Price | - | About 230 EUR |
| SAR | 0.79 W/kg (head) 0.90 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 104h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1319:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-31.1 LUFS (Below average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 312668 (v8)
GeekBench: 7836 (v4.4), 1911 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 18fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Infinix S5 Pro (16+32)
- Potentially lower price point
- Acceptable battery life (104h endurance)
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks
- Significantly weaker processor (Helio P35)
- Likely inferior display quality
- Limited gaming capabilities
Honor 9X Pro
- Much faster processor (Kirin 810)
- Brighter and higher contrast display
- Better multitasking and gaming performance
- Slower 10W charging
- Potentially higher price
- Endurance rating is the same as the S5 Pro
Display Comparison
The Honor 9X Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 517 nits and a 1319:1 contrast ratio, providing a more vibrant and visible display, especially outdoors. While the Infinix S5 Pro’s display specifications aren’t provided, it’s reasonable to assume it falls short of the 9X Pro’s brightness and contrast. The 1319:1 contrast ratio on the Honor 9X Pro indicates a good level of black depth, enhancing the viewing experience for videos and images. The lack of detailed display information for the S5 Pro suggests it likely utilizes a less advanced panel technology.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details. Given the market positioning, it’s unlikely either phone features a flagship-level camera system. The Infinix S5 Pro’s '16+32' designation likely refers to a combination of main and secondary sensors, but without knowing the sensor sizes or apertures, it’s difficult to assess image quality. The Honor 9X Pro, benefiting from Huawei’s image processing expertise, likely delivers more consistent and detailed photos, even without detailed specifications. The absence of information on Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) suggests neither phone includes this feature.
Performance
The Kirin 810 (7nm) in the Honor 9X Pro represents a substantial upgrade over the Mediatek Helio P35 (12nm) found in the Infinix S5 Pro. The Kirin 810’s architecture – featuring 2x Cortex-A76 and 6x Cortex-A55 cores – delivers significantly faster processing speeds and improved efficiency compared to the S5 Pro’s 4x Cortex-A53 and 4x Cortex-A53 configuration. This translates to smoother app launches, faster multitasking, and a more enjoyable gaming experience on the 9X Pro. The 7nm process node of the Kirin 810 also contributes to better thermal management, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during extended use.
Battery Life
Both the Infinix S5 Pro and Honor 9X Pro share an endurance rating of 104 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the Honor 9X Pro’s 10W wired charging is significantly slower than what’s becoming standard in the market. While both phones offer similar longevity, the S5 Pro’s battery capacity isn’t specified, making a direct comparison difficult. The 10W charging on the 9X Pro means longer periods plugged into the wall to replenish the battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Infinix S5 Pro (16+32) if you need a functional smartphone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and your budget is extremely limited. Buy the Honor 9X Pro if you prioritize smoother multitasking, gaming, and a more responsive user experience, and are willing to spend a bit more for a noticeable performance upgrade.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Kirin 810 in the Honor 9X Pro capable of handling demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
Yes, the Kirin 810 is a capable chipset for gaming. While it won't deliver the same performance as flagship processors, it can comfortably run PUBG and Call of Duty at medium to high settings with stable frame rates. The 7nm process also helps manage heat during extended gaming sessions.
❓ How does the Mediatek Helio P35 in the Infinix S5 Pro perform with everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
The Helio P35 is sufficient for basic tasks like web browsing, social media, and messaging. However, you may experience occasional lag or slowdowns when multitasking or running more demanding apps. It's not ideal for power users or those who frequently engage in resource-intensive activities.
❓ Given the 10W charging on the Honor 9X Pro, how long does it take to fully charge the battery?
With 10W charging, a full charge from 0% to 100% on the Honor 9X Pro will likely take around 3-4 hours. This is considerably slower than phones with fast charging capabilities, so plan accordingly if you frequently need to top up your battery.
