The sub-$250 smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the vivo iQOO Z9 Lite and Honor X9b are two contenders vying for dominance. While both aim to deliver a compelling experience without breaking the bank, they take different approaches – the iQOO Z9 Lite prioritizing a balance of features, while the Honor X9b focuses on a more efficient chipset and faster charging. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which phone best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and faster charging, the Honor X9b emerges as the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, built on a 4nm process, offers superior efficiency and a smoother experience under load compared to the iQOO Z9 Lite’s Dimensity 6300. However, the iQOO Z9 Lite remains a viable option for those seeking a balanced feature set 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 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, July 15 | 2023, October 18 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, July 20 | Available. Released 2023, October |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 163.6 x 75.6 x 8.4 mm (6.44 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) | 163.6 x 75.5 x 8 mm (6.44 x 2.97 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 185 g (6.53 oz) | 185 g (6.53 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1220 x 2652 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~431 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.78 inches, 112.6 cm2 (~91.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 840 nits (HBM) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1200 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 6300 (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6450 Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 710 |
| OS | Android 14, Funtouch 14 | Android 13, Magic OS 7.2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | - | 108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.67", PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.4, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired
Reverse wired | 35W wired
Reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5800 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Mocha Brown, Aqua Flow | Sunrise Orange, Midnight Black, Emerald Green |
| Models | I2306 | ALI-NX1 |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 970 EUR |
vivo iQOO Z9 Lite
- Potentially lower price point
- Reverse wired charging for accessory top-ups
- Balanced feature set for everyday use
- Less efficient Dimensity 6300 chipset
- Slower 15W charging
- Potential for more thermal throttling under load
Honor X9b
- More efficient Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4nm)
- Faster 35W wired charging
- Superior performance for gaming and multitasking
- Potentially higher price
- May lack some of the iQOO Z9 Lite's extra features (if any)
- Camera performance dependent on sensor quality
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display, but the specifics matter. While both likely utilize IPS LCD panels (based on market segment), the absence of detailed display specs necessitates focusing on the chipsets' impact on UI smoothness. The more efficient Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 in the Honor X9b could contribute to a slightly more responsive user interface, even with similar panel characteristics. Bezels are likely comparable, and color accuracy will depend on software calibration, a detail not provided.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the market segment suggests both phones will feature a primary camera paired with depth or macro sensors. The absence of OIS on either device implies reliance on software stabilization. Image processing will likely differ, with Honor historically favoring more vibrant, saturated colors, while vivo often aims for a more natural look. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) may offer slightly faster processing speeds, but the ultimate image quality will depend heavily on the primary sensor’s resolution and aperture – details currently unavailable.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Honor X9b’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4nm) utilizes four Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.2 GHz, offering a significant architectural advantage over the iQOO Z9 Lite’s MediaTek Dimensity 6300 (6nm). The A78 cores are more performant than the A76 cores in the Dimensity 6300, translating to faster app loading and smoother multitasking. The 4nm fabrication process of the Snapdragon also provides superior power efficiency, reducing heat generation and potential throttling during extended gaming sessions. While both phones feature 8GB of RAM (assumed based on market positioning), the Snapdragon’s superior architecture will maximize its effectiveness.
Battery Life
The Honor X9b’s 35W wired charging is a clear advantage over the iQOO Z9 Lite’s 15W charging. This translates to significantly faster top-up times, reducing downtime. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1’s superior efficiency means the Honor X9b is likely to achieve comparable or better battery life despite potentially having a smaller battery. The inclusion of reverse wired charging on both devices is a convenient feature for topping up accessories.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo iQOO Z9 Lite if you need a phone with a focus on overall feature parity and are comfortable with slower charging speeds. It’s ideal for casual users who prioritize a well-rounded experience over raw processing power. Buy the Honor X9b if you prefer a more efficient processor, faster charging, and a phone that can handle demanding tasks with less thermal throttling. This is the better choice for gamers and power users on a budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 in the Honor X9b overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1’s 4nm process is significantly more efficient than the Dimensity 6300’s 6nm process. This improved efficiency translates to lower heat generation, reducing the likelihood of significant thermal throttling during extended gaming. While some heat is inevitable, the X9b is better equipped to maintain consistent performance.
❓ Is the 15W charging on the iQOO Z9 Lite slow enough to be a major inconvenience?
Yes, 15W charging is considerably slower than the 35W charging on the Honor X9b. Expect significantly longer top-up times, potentially taking over two hours to fully charge the battery from 0%. This is a notable drawback for users who frequently need to quickly recharge their phones.
❓ Does the Honor X9b support popular gaming titles like PUBG Mobile at high frame rates?
While not a flagship chipset, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 is capable of running PUBG Mobile at balanced or HD graphics settings with medium frame rates. Achieving consistently high frame rates (60fps+) may require lowering the graphics settings. The improved thermal management of the X9b will help maintain stable performance during longer gaming sessions.
