The Infinix S5 Pro and Honor 9X Pro represent compelling options in the crowded mid-range smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, they take distinctly different approaches, particularly in chipset choice. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and a brighter display, the Honor 9X Pro is the clear winner. Its Kirin 810 chipset provides a significant performance uplift over the Infinix S5 Pro’s Helio P35, making it better suited for demanding tasks and gaming. However, the S5 Pro offers respectable battery life at a potentially lower price point.
| 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, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 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, March 13 | 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 |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, 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 16 MP, f/2.0, (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 | 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, X660C, X660B | HLK-AL10, HLK-TL10, HLK-L41, HLK-L42 |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 230 EUR |
| SAR | 0.79 W/kg (head) 0.90 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 106h
|
Endurance rating 104h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1677:1 (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: 1319:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-29.5 LUFS (Average)
|
-31.1 LUFS (Below average)
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 90446 (v7), 117533 (v8)
GeekBench: 4226 (v4.4), 1039 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 3.2fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 312668 (v8)
GeekBench: 7836 (v4.4), 1911 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 18fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Infinix S5 Pro
- Excellent battery endurance (106h)
- Potentially lower price point
- Decent performance for basic tasks
- Weak chipset (Helio P35) struggles with demanding apps
- Dimmer display (336 nits)
- Unspecified charging speed
Honor 9X Pro
- Significantly faster processor (Kirin 810)
- Brighter display (517 nits)
- Better multitasking and gaming performance
- Slightly lower battery endurance (104h)
- Slow 10W charging
- Potentially higher price
Display Comparison
The Honor 9X Pro boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching 517 nits compared to the Infinix S5 Pro’s 336 nits. This translates to better visibility outdoors and a more vibrant viewing experience. While both displays have a nominal contrast ratio around 1300-1600:1, the higher brightness of the 9X Pro makes a noticeable difference in real-world usage. Neither display specification details refresh rate or panel technology, suggesting both likely utilize standard 60Hz LCD panels, common for this price bracket.
Camera Comparison
Both phones list 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details regarding sensor size, aperture, or features like Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). Given the market positioning, it’s likely both rely on multi-camera setups with a primary sensor and supporting lenses. Without further information, it’s difficult to assess camera quality beyond general expectations for this price range. The absence of details suggests neither phone is a standout performer in the camera department.
Performance
The core difference between these two phones lies in their chipsets. The Honor 9X Pro’s Kirin 810, built on a 7nm process, is a substantial upgrade over the Infinix S5 Pro’s 12nm Mediatek Helio P35. The Kirin 810’s octa-core configuration, featuring two high-performance Cortex-A76 cores, delivers significantly faster processing speeds and improved efficiency. The Helio P35’s Cortex-A53 cores, while adequate for basic tasks, will struggle with demanding applications and multitasking. This difference is particularly noticeable in gaming and app loading times.
Battery Life
Both the Infinix S5 Pro and Honor 9X Pro offer comparable battery endurance, with ratings of 106 and 104 hours respectively. However, the Honor 9X Pro is limited to 10W wired charging, while the Infinix S5 Pro’s charging speed is unspecified. The Kirin 810’s improved efficiency may partially offset the slightly smaller battery capacity in real-world usage, but the S5 Pro likely maintains a slight edge in overall longevity. The lack of fast charging on the 9X Pro is a notable drawback.
Buying Guide
Buy the Infinix S5 Pro if you prioritize maximizing battery life and are primarily focused on basic smartphone tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. Its endurance rating of 106 hours is a strong point. Buy the Honor 9X Pro if you value smoother multitasking, a brighter and more vibrant display, and the ability to handle more demanding applications and games. The Kirin 810 offers a substantial performance advantage.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Kirin 810 in the Honor 9X Pro capable of running demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
Yes, the Kirin 810 is a capable chipset for gaming. While it won't deliver flagship-level performance, it can comfortably run PUBG and Call of Duty at medium to high settings with stable frame rates. The 7nm process and Cortex-A76 cores provide the necessary processing power for a smooth gaming experience.
❓ How much of a performance difference will I notice between the Helio P35 and the Kirin 810 in everyday tasks?
The difference will be quite noticeable. The Kirin 810’s more powerful cores and efficient architecture result in significantly faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user interface. The Helio P35 will feel sluggish when handling multiple apps or demanding tasks.
❓ Does the Honor 9X Pro support fast charging, and if not, how long does it take to fully charge?
Unfortunately, the Honor 9X Pro only supports 10W wired charging, which is relatively slow. A full charge from 0% to 100% will likely take around 3-4 hours. This is a significant drawback compared to phones with fast charging capabilities.
❓ Given the similar battery endurance ratings, will I actually notice a difference in real-world battery life between the two phones?
While the endurance ratings are close, the Honor 9X Pro’s more efficient Kirin 810 chipset may result in slightly better real-world battery life, especially with moderate to heavy usage. However, if you primarily use your phone for basic tasks, the difference will likely be minimal.
