The Lenovo K10 Note and Honor 9X Pro represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a balanced experience, they take different approaches to achieving it, primarily through their chipset choices – Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 710 versus Huawei’s Kirin 810. This comparison dissects these differences and more, helping you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing overall performance and future-proofing, the Honor 9X Pro emerges as the better choice. Its Kirin 810, built on a more efficient 7nm process, offers a noticeable performance advantage over the K10 Note’s Snapdragon 710, despite the K10 Note’s slightly faster charging.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat12 600/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, September 05. Released 2019, September 16 | 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 | 156.6 x 74.3 x 7.9 mm (6.17 x 2.93 x 0.31 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 | 164 g (5.78 oz) | 202 g (7.13 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~391 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~83.7% 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 (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x1.88 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM710 Snapdragon 710 (10 nm) | Kirin 810 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 616 | Mali-G52 MP6 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), ZUI 11 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, EMUI 9.1, no Google Play Services |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 16 MP, f/1.8, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, (telephoto), PDAF, 2x optical zoom
Auxiliary lens | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, 120˚ (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 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, recording | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA | 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 | 18W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4050 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Knight Black, Stardust Blue | Midnight Black, Phantom Purple |
| Models | PAFR0026IN, PAFR0026, PAFR0033IN, PAFR0033, PAFR0013IN, PAFR0013 | HLK-AL10, HLK-TL10, HLK-L41, HLK-L42 |
| Price | About 180 EUR | About 230 EUR |
| 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) |
Lenovo K10 Note
- Faster 18W charging
- Potentially lower price point
- Solid performance for basic tasks
- Less powerful chipset (Snapdragon 710)
- 10nm process less efficient than 7nm
- Limited performance headroom for demanding games
Honor 9X Pro
- More powerful and efficient Kirin 810 chipset
- 7nm process for better thermal management
- Superior performance for multitasking and gaming
- Brighter display (517 nits)
- Slower 10W charging
- Potentially higher price
Display Comparison
The Honor 9X Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 517 nits and a 1319:1 contrast ratio, providing a visually vibrant experience. While the K10 Note’s display specifications aren’t provided, the 9X Pro’s contrast ratio suggests a good quality panel. The 9X Pro’s brightness level is sufficient for comfortable outdoor viewing, a potential advantage over the K10 Note if its display is significantly dimmer. Both devices share the same contrast ratio specification, indicating similar panel technology in that regard.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, lacking specific details. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing information, a direct comparison is impossible. However, given the Honor brand’s historical focus on camera technology, it’s reasonable to assume the 9X Pro may offer more refined image processing algorithms. The absence of details suggests neither phone is positioned as a camera-centric device, focusing instead on overall value.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Honor 9X Pro’s Kirin 810, fabricated on a 7nm process, offers a significant architectural advantage over the Lenovo K10 Note’s Snapdragon 710 (10nm). The Kirin 810 utilizes Cortex-A76 cores, known for their superior performance per watt compared to the Kryo 360 Gold cores in the Snapdragon 710. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance on the 9X Pro. While both CPUs feature an octa-core configuration with similar clock speeds (2.2GHz-2.27GHz), the underlying architecture of the Kirin 810 provides a clear edge. The 7nm process also contributes to better thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads.
Battery Life
Both the Lenovo K10 Note and Honor 9X Pro achieve an endurance rating of 104 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the charging speeds differ significantly. The K10 Note supports 18W wired charging, while the 9X Pro is limited to 10W. This means the K10 Note will recharge faster, a benefit for users who frequently need to top up their battery. Despite the slower charging, the 9X Pro’s more efficient Kirin 810 chipset may contribute to longer real-world battery life by consuming less power during typical use.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lenovo K10 Note if you prioritize a slightly faster charging experience and are on a very tight budget. It’s a solid option for basic smartphone tasks and light gaming. Buy the Honor 9X Pro if you value smoother multitasking, better gaming performance, and a more efficient chipset, even if it means sacrificing some charging speed. The 9X Pro is the better long-term investment for users who demand more from their phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Kirin 810 in the Honor 9X Pro handle demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty Mobile smoothly?
Yes, the Kirin 810 is significantly more capable of handling demanding games than the Snapdragon 710. Its Cortex-A76 cores and 7nm process provide the necessary horsepower for smooth gameplay at medium to high settings. While it won't match flagship-level performance, it offers a very enjoyable gaming experience.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Lenovo K10 Note with its 18W charging compared to the Honor 9X Pro?
The Lenovo K10 Note will charge significantly faster. While exact 0-100% times aren't available, the 18W charging will likely take around 1.5-2 hours, whereas the Honor 9X Pro’s 10W charging could take upwards of 3 hours or more. This is a key advantage for users who prioritize quick top-ups.
❓ Does the difference in chipset architecture between the Snapdragon 710 and Kirin 810 translate to a noticeable difference in everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
Yes, even for everyday tasks, the Kirin 810 will provide a smoother and more responsive experience. App launch times will be quicker, multitasking will be more fluid, and animations will feel less laggy. While the Snapdragon 710 is adequate for basic use, the Kirin 810 offers a noticeable improvement in overall responsiveness.
