The vivo U10 and Honor 9X Lite represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. Both aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, but they achieve this through different approaches. The U10 leverages Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 665, while the 9X Lite opts for Huawei’s Kirin 710F. This comparison dissects these key differences to determine which device offers the best overall value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and faster charging, the vivo U10 emerges as the stronger contender. While the Honor 9X Lite’s Kirin 710F boasts a slightly higher clock speed, the Snapdragon 665’s more efficient 11nm process and 18W charging provide a noticeable advantage in real-world usage and convenience.
| 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, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 400/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, September. Released 2019, September | 2020, April 17. Released 2020, May 14 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 159.4 x 76.8 x 8.9 mm (6.28 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) | 160.4 x 76.6 x 7.8 mm (6.31 x 3.02 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190.5 g (6.70 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1544 pixels, 19.3:9 ratio (~268 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~397 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.35 inches, 99.6 cm2 (~81.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 103.2 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) | Kirin 710F (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G51 MP4 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9.1 | Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.1, Google Play Services |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.8 | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 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, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 3750 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Thunder Black, Electric Blue, Black, Blue, Red | Emerald Green, Midnight Black |
| Models | 1916, V1928A | JSN-L21, JSN-L22, JSN-L23 |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 220 EUR |
| SAR | 1.05 W/kg (head) 0.45 W/kg (body) | - |
vivo U10
- Faster 18W charging for quicker top-ups.
- More efficient Snapdragon 665 chipset for better thermal management.
- Potentially smoother gaming experience due to optimized GPU drivers.
- Slightly lower CPU clock speed compared to the Kirin 710F.
- Display specifications are likely standard for the price range.
Honor 9X Lite
- Higher CPU clock speed (2.2 GHz) for potentially faster basic tasks.
- Huawei’s AI-powered camera features may appeal to some users.
- Potentially better integration with Huawei ecosystem devices.
- Slower 10W charging.
- Less efficient Kirin 710F chipset may lead to throttling under load.
- 12nm process could impact battery life.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely feature LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. The key difference lies under the hood: the Kirin 710F’s manufacturing process (12nm) suggests potentially higher power consumption driving the display compared to the Snapdragon 665’s 11nm process. While specific brightness and color accuracy data are unavailable, the 9X Lite’s larger processor could impact overall battery life when displaying content.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs beyond the presence of multiple sensors, a direct comparison is difficult. Both phones likely feature a primary camera alongside depth and macro sensors. The quality will heavily depend on the primary sensor’s resolution and aperture. Given the price point, image processing will be a significant factor. Huawei’s Kirin chipsets often prioritize scene recognition and AI enhancements, potentially offering more vibrant (though sometimes less natural) images. The Snapdragon 665’s image signal processor (ISP) is capable, but vivo’s software tuning will determine the final image quality. The inclusion of a 2MP macro lens on both devices is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit.
Performance
The core of the difference lies in the chipsets. The Honor 9X Lite’s Kirin 710F, built on a 12nm process, features a Cortex-A73 based CPU clocked at 2.2 GHz. This offers a theoretical clock speed advantage over the vivo U10’s Snapdragon 665 (2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold). However, the Snapdragon 665’s more efficient 11nm fabrication process is crucial. This translates to better thermal management, meaning the U10 is less likely to throttle under sustained loads like gaming. The Snapdragon 665 also benefits from Qualcomm’s optimized software and GPU drivers, potentially leading to smoother gaming experiences despite the slightly lower clock speed. The U10’s Adreno 610 GPU is a strong performer in its class.
Battery Life
The battery capacity is not provided, but the charging wattage is a clear differentiator. The vivo U10’s 18W wired charging is significantly faster than the Honor 9X Lite’s 10W charging. This means the U10 can replenish its battery much quicker, reducing downtime. Even if the 9X Lite has a slightly larger battery capacity, the U10’s faster charging will likely result in a more convenient user experience. The Snapdragon 665’s power efficiency further contributes to potentially longer battery life between charges, offsetting any capacity difference.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo U10 if you need a phone that can handle moderate gaming and multitasking without significant throttling, and if quick top-ups are a priority thanks to its 18W charging. Buy the Honor 9X Lite if you prefer a potentially slightly faster CPU for basic tasks and are willing to trade off charging speed and sustained performance under load. The 9X Lite may appeal to users heavily invested in the Huawei ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Kirin 710F overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Kirin 710F, built on a 12nm process, is more prone to thermal throttling than the Snapdragon 665 (11nm) during extended gaming. While it can handle casual gaming, demanding titles may experience frame drops as the chip heats up. The U10 is likely to maintain more consistent performance over longer periods.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Honor 9X Lite with its 10W charger?
With a 10W charger, fully charging the Honor 9X Lite will likely take over 2.5 to 3 hours, depending on the battery capacity. This is significantly slower than the vivo U10’s 18W charging, which can potentially achieve a full charge in around 1.5 to 2 hours.
❓ Is the Snapdragon 665 in the vivo U10 powerful enough for PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Snapdragon 665 is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium settings with a stable frame rate. While it won't deliver the highest graphical fidelity, the Adreno 610 GPU provides a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience. The U10’s better thermal management will also help maintain performance during longer gaming sessions.
