Released in 2018, the Samsung Galaxy A8+ and Honor 9 Lite represented compelling options in the mid-range smartphone market. While both aimed to deliver a premium experience without the flagship price tag, they took different approaches to achieving this. This comparison dissects their core components – from chipsets to cameras – to determine which device offered the better overall value proposition, especially considering their current availability as used devices.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user seeking a balance of performance and efficiency, the Samsung Galaxy A8+ (2018) is the stronger choice. Its Exynos 7885, built on a smaller 14nm process, offers superior CPU architecture and potentially better sustained performance compared to the Honor 9 Lite’s Kirin 659, despite the latter’s slightly higher clock speeds on some cores.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) | GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - Global |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 - Global |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat11 600/75 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 40, 41 - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2017, December. Released 2018, January | 2017, December. Released 2017, December |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 4), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 159.9 x 75.7 x 8.3 mm (6.30 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) | 151 x 71.9 x 7.6 mm (5.94 x 2.83 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 191 g (6.74 oz) | 149 g (5.26 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2220 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~428 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.0 inches, 91.4 cm2 (~75.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.65 inches, 82.0 cm2 (~75.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.36 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Exynos 7885 (14 nm) | Kirin 659 (16 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G71 | Mali-T830 MP2 |
| OS | Android 7.1.1 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 8.0 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8”, 1.12µm, PDAF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | 16 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
8 MP, f/1.9, 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 13 MP
2 MP, depth sensor |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, EDR, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | - |
| Music play | Up to 73 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 23 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 3500 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 3000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, orchid grey, gold, blue | Midnight Black, Sapphire Blue, Glacier Gray, Navy, Seagull Gray, Magic Nightfall, Pearl White |
| Models | SM-A730F | LLD-AL00, LLD-AL10, LLD-TL10, LLD-L31, LLD-L21, LLD-L11 |
| Price | About 300 EUR | About 190 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.32 W/kg (head) 1.30 W/kg (body) | - |
Samsung Galaxy A8+ (2018)
- More powerful and efficient Exynos 7885 chipset
- Faster 18W wired charging
- Potentially better camera image processing
- Likely higher initial price at launch
- May be harder to find in good condition due to age
Honor 9 Lite
- Lower price point (originally)
- Decent performance for basic tasks
- Potentially longer standby time
- Less powerful Kirin 659 chipset
- Slower charging speeds
- Potentially lower camera quality
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly standout display in today’s market, but differences exist. While specific display specs (resolution, brightness) aren't provided, the A8+ likely benefited from Samsung’s display expertise, potentially offering better color accuracy and viewing angles. The Honor 9 Lite, being a more budget-focused device, likely utilized a simpler panel. The 16nm Kirin 659 powering the Honor 9 Lite suggests a focus on cost reduction, potentially impacting display quality to some degree.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed sensor information, a direct camera comparison is difficult. However, the A8+ likely benefited from Samsung’s image processing algorithms, potentially delivering more vibrant and detailed photos. The Honor 9 Lite, while potentially offering a dual-camera setup for depth sensing, likely relied on simpler image processing. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on the Honor 9 Lite is unlikely to significantly improve image quality, serving more as a marketing feature than a practical benefit. The A8+'s Exynos ISP likely offered more sophisticated noise reduction and dynamic range optimization.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A8+’s Exynos 7885, fabricated on a 14nm process, features a more modern CPU architecture – two Cortex-A73 cores paired with six Cortex-A53 cores. This contrasts with the Honor 9 Lite’s Kirin 659, which utilizes four Cortex-A53 cores at a higher clock speed (2.36 GHz) alongside another four Cortex-A53 cores. While the Kirin 659’s higher clock speeds *appear* advantageous, the A73 cores in the Exynos 7885 offer significantly better single-core performance, crucial for app launch times and general responsiveness. The 14nm process of the Exynos also implies better power efficiency, potentially leading to less thermal throttling during sustained workloads. The Honor 9 Lite's 16nm Kirin 659, while adequate for basic tasks, will likely struggle more with demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both devices likely featured similar battery capacities, but the Exynos 7885’s 14nm process gives the A8+ an edge in power efficiency. The A8+ also supports 18W wired charging, a noticeable advantage over the Honor 9 Lite’s likely slower charging speeds. This translates to quicker top-ups and less time tethered to a charger. While the Honor 9 Lite might offer slightly longer standby times due to potentially less aggressive background processes, the A8+’s faster charging and more efficient chipset provide a better overall user experience.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy A8+ (2018) if you prioritize a more responsive user experience, potentially better multitasking capabilities, and a chipset designed for slightly more demanding tasks. Buy the Honor 9 Lite if your primary concern is maximizing value for money and you primarily engage in light usage like social media, messaging, and casual browsing, and are comfortable with a less powerful processor.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 7885 in the Galaxy A8+ (2018) overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While not a flagship-level chip, the Exynos 7885’s 14nm process and relatively modest performance profile mean it’s less prone to overheating than more powerful processors. However, extended gaming will inevitably generate heat, potentially leading to some thermal throttling, reducing sustained performance. The Honor 9 Lite’s Kirin 659, while less powerful, may also experience throttling due to its less efficient 16nm process.
❓ Is the dual-camera setup on the Honor 9 Lite a significant advantage over the Galaxy A8+ (2018)?
The Honor 9 Lite’s dual-camera setup primarily focuses on providing depth information for portrait mode effects. While this can enhance portrait photography, the overall image quality is more dependent on the main sensor and image processing. The Galaxy A8+ (2018) likely benefits from Samsung’s superior image processing algorithms, potentially delivering better overall photo quality even with a single camera.
❓ Can the Honor 9 Lite handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Honor 9 Lite can *run* PUBG Mobile, but likely at lower graphics settings and frame rates to maintain a playable experience. The Kirin 659’s less powerful GPU and CPU will struggle with the game’s demands, resulting in occasional stuttering and frame drops. The Galaxy A8+ (2018) offers a smoother gaming experience, allowing for higher settings and more consistent frame rates.
